I've flip flopped over going with online so many times, both with costs (shipping) and logistics (it's February and exceptionally cold this year). From my calculations, with a large batch of shoaling fish like tetras, it would be more cost-effective to go with online but there's always that risk of getting sick/dead/defective fish because you can't see what you're buying.
Again, I just don't know what's the best course of action. Part of me yesterday was so fed up with the delays that I even considered just buying the ich-infested black neons since I already had a QT and bought medicine. Ultimately didn't because knowingly buying parasite-ridden fish is just foolish but that's how antsy I've gotten with how long actually getting to the most fun part of this hobby has been taking.