I've ordered a lot online for my bikes and have similar feelings about LBS. Whilst I've had some bad experiences nothing compares to my recent online purchase of a ukulele.
Ordered from a shop in Brighton that said it was "in stock" (not the very famous music shop in Brighton!), hadn't turned up after a week and a half so I emailed to ask for an estimated delivery. Didn't hear anything for 3 days when I get an email apologising for the delay saying that the uke is due in stock any day and should be with me by next week. Waited over a week, no uke, send them an email don't hear anything for 2 days, decide to call them - can get hold of the shop but they have a separate number for the online shop and that person is out, I left a message asking them to call me. Heard nothing for another two days, when I get an email saying it'll be any day now.
I wait another week, still nothing, so I email and call, no one answers either. I leave another message with the shop asking to be called back, hear nothing. After 3 days of calling I get hold of someone who says they are still waiting for their order to come in that was initially delayed 3 weeks ago due to snow, we've since had over 2 weeks of no snow. They cannot tell me when this delivery of stock is due which I find suspicious. After waiting 5 weeks I filed for a paypal refund, which then takes a week to process.
I order a ukulele from somewhere else that said it was in stock and next day delivery. After 2 days I email to ask where it is and later that day receive tracking details for a 48 hour courier service. The uke turns up 2 days later and is broken. I had to post it back get a refund and then source another uke, which yet again takes 5 days to arrive when advertised as next day!
Finally 3 months after ordering my ukulele I have one. From this am I allowed to make generalisations about people who work in music shops?
