The other problem with buying at a local shop vs an on-line shop is that most shops carry 1 or 2 lines of products, so you are limited to their lines unless you want to special order and if you do that you are getting the same service as buying from a real shop that does on-line business as well like Scuba Toys. The other thing I've found is that few shops that don't sell on-line carry much in the way of closeouts. Those can be a great bargain. Perfectly good, brand new, fully waranteed equipment that is not being made any more because the manufacturer changed the colors or plastic outside pieces. All my gear was bought that way and I paid less than 1/2 (sometimes significantly less) than the comprable gear at my LDS.
I even have my gear serviced by scuba toys, the turaround time is actualy shorter than my LDS and since I can send from work and have it delivered at home, it's actualy more convenient for me and when shipping is counted in the price is identical.
