I think I'm much more likely to buy what I don't need on line than in an actual quilt shop. I don't have a quilt shop nearby anymore, so I only shop on line. But I remember being more able to zero in on my specific purchase needed when visiting a quilt shop, whereas in the act of shopping on line, I end up viewing much more fabric that is outside my intent. Plus in a quilt shop, you aren't going to end up with anything you don't really love, because seeing it in person you have a much better understanding of what you're buying. It's easier to determine that you can live without it.