I probably couldn't quilt if I couldn't order on line...closest LQS is 50 miles from here, and tiny. I love the freedom of having a huge variety to choose from...I get choices on line I could never even dream of with just local purchases. I have never once had a problem ordering on line...most sellers want your return business and are very pleasant to work with, in my experience.
If you had a color problem, could it be that you have an older monitor? The newer monitors are pretty accurate, while the older ones could really warp a color!