I know what many items cost and what they sell for at retail; most primary items have very low margins of profit but most accessory items have a very large margin of profit. The biggest determination is knowing what and how to use it. You can order and receive 12 different items that are not the right thing, all lower cost than the one item in a local store that is the right one but marked up a lot higher. If you'd shopped locally, paid the long price once but got exactly what you needed, wanted and still could afford, it is probably a better deal. However, if its an accessory item that is half price or less on the net vs. in-store and the specs are the same and you don't need it right this minute, it's probably a better deal, even with shipping, to purchase it on line. My son bought an 82" Mitsubishi 3D tv on line, didn't even hesitate, it works like a charm, saved $1,000 buying it on a 24 hr sale. Me, I'd miss the sale first off, procrastinate too long even if I didn't miss it, wouldn't order the right blend of features and have to return it, and end up going to a brick and mortar and getting what I'd want thru a salesman and help him make a $250 commission on the long buck I'd have to pay, lol!
