Don't knock your playing Jon...it's very sound! I'd also agree entirely about buying instruments. I'd never buy anything I couldn't try in person. There are just too many bad examples around, either in the build, materials, used or badly cared for, even with the "big name" makes.

I've bought some great instruments both privately and in music shops. I now stick to stores run by people I know are honest and knowledgeable. I wouldn't go near one or two of the well-known stores who claim to be specialists and have an on-line presence...through personal experience with them and having run a specialist acoustic instrument and repair business myself, their advice and service is frankly sometimes not worth a tinker's cuss.

Ask here at the Mudcat if you want an opinion. There are some very knowledgeable people all round the globe and they will certainly be able to direct you to a reputable and trustworthy local source.

Like Jon I don't have any trouble buying on-line with certain items like CDs. Even got fantastic service on a rather hard-to-get item by post to Belgium here from a little specialist store in Sydney, Cape Breton Island, NS.

All the best,

mcmoo