I have 2 close shops and they each carry different lines and I visit them both periodically so I know what they have but I also buy online because the locals shops don't carry what I'm looking for. One shop only has a sale once or twice a year. The other does have specials once in a while and if you re-use her shopping bag then you get a discount on your next purchase. I love sales/specials and that alone will tip me over the edge on buying something. I also have a hard time picking fabrics online. The online stores that are friendly and helpful in answering questions are definitely keepers in my book .... and our own Favorite Fabrics is one of those! I have called shops before just to find out how dark a particular fabric was and they acted like I was putting them out to look at the fabric. Needless to say, that online shop goes on the *other* list.
Suzy