Problem these days - in my small UK town all the traditional music shops for miles around have closed down
apart from one small business that caters to school kids and beginners,
who don't yet know how mediocre and overpriced their stock is.
I've been in there and seen doting affluent parents forking out £hundreds over the odds
for guitars I know are inadequate and cost far less on ebay.

Even the old traditional 2nd hand shops have gone - replaced by rip off modern wave of dodgy Cash Converts style pawn shops...

So for serious experienced musicians, the only options are an expensive journey to a major city miles away..

.. or internet shopping.

I've bought hundreds of musical equipment items and guitars sight unseen and brand new off the internet [similarly, countless used...]
and experienced very few problems.
Nearly all easily and quickly resolved with the sellers as I am aware of my protected consumer /distance selling rights.