The only time I buy online is if I have already owned (and liked) a pair of that exact brand before. Even that's not a guarantee, but it's fairly reliable. It's not just about length, either. Width, toe box, heel, and even how it fits across the top.
Originally Posted by
roadcrankr
Come on, you all, admit it: you try 'em on at the shop, then hop online when you get home.
Seriously, my LBS's charge sometimes double the online price. I'd happily buy from my LBS with only a slight premium.
Shimano shoes fit my feet well, even across their various models. I find a good-lookin 42.5 and buy with confidence.
Except when nobody buys them, they will eventually stop carrying them in stock because space costs money, then you won't have anywhere to try them on.
I guess you could try asking them if they will come closer to a competitor's price. One of my LBS's price matches... apparently even Amazon! Haven't tried it yet though, since they're prices are usually within pennies of anything I can find.