I just also had a very good experience with an online retailer. Hosking Hardwood was wonderful to work with! I purchased over 900 sq feet of Wilsonart laminate floor. When I called to check if they had enough of my flooring in stock Crystal put me on hold to check and when she came back on the line she told me that they had just enough so she put a 24 hour hold on it for me. Took another day for them to check on stair treads, so she renewed the 24 hour hold. I also asked Michael some questions about which trim type to purchase for next to a sliding glass door. He was very knowledgeable and helpful. I ended up purchasing the treads and trim at a locally owned flooring company. They were able to beat everyones price by far on that (online and in town), however they could not price match the actual flooring. I also purchased the Floormuffler underlayment from ebay - I was very nervous -the price was way too good to be true, but I e mailed several times with questions and they answered them right away, I took a risk - but turned out fine. Got the Floormuffler for dirt cheap in 3 days! The company was Shock Flooring. So there are some good retailers out there. I did spend a lot of time on research. But all turned out well.

(My first post ever!) We were doing a kitchen renovation about 5 years ago and I searched all over for the perfect tile. When I finally found exactly what I wanted -- and paid a BUNDLE for it upfront -- the tile store went bankrupt and I never saw a single tile or penny out of it. But I did get the name and maker of the tile -- which was a handpainted Spanish tile, Inalco, the Rhoda series. I was able to find it at one online store -- one that doesn't seem to be around any more (barefootfloors.com -- there's a site by that name, but it is different). Anyway-- the decorative 2x2's I had paid $12 each for at the local place were $2 each at the online store, and so on up the scale of sizes. So at least I didn't have to pay the same astronomical price twice. Tiles arrived quickly -- a few broken, but not many. I don't remember having any complaints. Now I'm in a different house and just starting the kitchen re-do here. I found the perfect tile the first time out, and got great service at the local family-owned/operated store that has been in business for 50 years, so I will buy from them with confidence. I'm wondering if you might barter with the local shops a bit on the price: if you let them know what you would pay online, and that you'd be willing to pay a bit more to do business with them locally, they might make it worth your while. Just beware if they seem a bit too eager and whatever you do, don't pay for it all upfront before delivery!!! :)

They are very competitive though I just put a sample tile in my cart and the charge is $13.99! I'm going to order the samples through tilesdirect.net and if all goes well I'll order my horus art through Artwalk.

I wouldn't bet on the tile shark. It depends on how well your tile are stuck. My wife shoveled our kitchen into a wheelbarrow in several hours. I spent twice as long as that removing two tile in the bathroom with a rented electric chipping hammer that had been properly repaired. I got 'em out, but took some of the concrete sub floor with 'em. You're going to have to just dive in and experiment. It's impossible to know what's in store without a test. Just because some come flying out doesn't mean they all will, either.