I have no problem buying gear online. Any competent diver should know their gear and risks well enough to be able to make such purchases. LDS’s typically do not carry the technical gear that I use anyway. Warranties have not been an issue either, since I am just as discriminating choosing an online shop as I am with my personal gear.
The cost mark up at the local LDS’s make shopping there cost prohibitive. It does not make scense to me that I can purhcase my gear from a shop three states away and have it shipped cheaper than I can pick it up locally. Other dive related gear I purchase from DAN directly to support them. LDS’s here really like to mark those items up!
On a final note, since my local LDS would not fill tanks based on CF (cubic feet), I get my fills in the area I dive. There is no justification for charging full price for a 1000-2000psi top off on an X8-130 or any tank. They fill strictly based on tank size not amout added. So, in the case of my tank they charge a flat fee of $18.00 regardless of remaining pressure. The same fill at a shop near the dive location would only cost $10.40 if I needed 130 cubic feet! $18.00 flat fee or $0.08/cubic foot - do the math.