To address the original topic, I think if the guitar can be returned to the sender with a full or nearly full refund, then buying on-line isn't so bad a deal. However, if you can't return it no matter what, then that can be a problem. My Yamaha F-310 was purchased on-line through a service at work and it worked out OK.
To Geoaguiar: Regarding the beans, for Toots to be playing a second tuba he will need a second source of wind to power the instrument given that his mouth will already be occupied with the first tuba. A tuba mouthpiece takes up a fair bit of space and unless he has a mouth like a muppet, there will not be room for a second mouthpiece. Therefore .... beans. I did actually play two baritones at once to see whether it could be done. That was a curious experiment. I did get notes out of both instruments at once, but was not sufficiently ambidextrous to operate the valves on both instruments simultaneously.
- Zurf
Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude