There are some up sides and down sides of buying off the internet.
First, and foremost, is that often when you factor in the shipping and transfer fees if you're not a C&R holder you often pay as much as most would pay in a local store.
Seconding, I really like being able to look at the gun, check it over, feel it, etc. and, of course, you only get to do that when you receive it from UPS, Fed Ex, etc.
When I first got my C&R my first order was three Mosins from SOG and they were advertised as good.
When I got them two were the poorest examples of a good conditioned rifle I have ever seen; one being poor and the other very poor condition.
Needless to say I sent them back to SOG...guess who had to pay the nearly $20 EACH UPS shipment back? You got it!
So, when it was all said and done I paid more than if I had gone to my favorite mom and pop shop.
There are good bargains to be had on the internet but one needs to be mindful there are rip-offs out there, also.
I now use my C&R to not have to go through the normal background checks and buy locally.