Why I resort to online purchases....
last week my local gc ordered some plants for me. He is a newly recruited plant manager there with all the associated keeness and determination. "I can get those for you" ....he said...."10 days or so and I have a couple of suppliers too in case"
called on him today. No joy with his orders. "Currently unavailable" he said. "This is why I buy online" I replied
so I have ordered online....again. Expect plants early next week. If I ordered a couple of days ago they would have been delivered by tomorrow (they avoid possible weekend delays)
my local gc is one of a national chain, has a "click and collect" service that sounds superb but actually is poor. I often remind the manager I try to buy locally but online through the (good guys) is a far better option for me.
Gripe over .....even have a little rain to refresh the garden and....and...my plants are coming 
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My nearest garden centre is ok if you want bird food, weedkiller or something to put in pots but if you are looking for a perennial or a particular shrub, not a chance. The next best one with more choice is about 15 miles away. Failing that I resort to online esp if I want something particular.
I have had to break my golden rule today, I had to buy some trailing petunias from Morrison, howevef may I grow its never enough.
I always buy on line, everything, waiting on a new TV.
i did buy some tiny plugs of candelabra prims last year, they were very good.
My local garden center is quite big but for some examples of issues.. It sells the same brand of cottage perennials that a local discount store does though they sell at 3 for £5 and the GC sells at 4.99 each.. It has a great rose collection (all David Austin potted) and they are actually cheaper than his web site - however they come guaranteed with free greenfly and diseases before you get them home..
I'm with you Verdun - I spend a lot of money and I want some guarantee of quality re plants and bulbs - I find the main "Quality" mail order suppliers excellent and also no quibble when it comes to any problems.. Then again some of the mail order people are awful beyond belief (but I think we know who they are)
I do try to buy as much local stock from NGS gardens though if they have stuff for sale.
The crux is in the national chain bit verdun, most people pull chains, that's why real gardeners don't use them other than for cheap compost. I use nurseries and have two very good local ones, one nationally recognised, although they do fall on their faces every now and then with some of their employees.
Lyn, I've got some primulas you'd be most welcome to if you want them.
I think, from memory, bulleyana and florindaie.
Grew them from seed collected in garden but didn't realise how good the germination rate would be.
Cerinthe you gave me are in flower, ( but still in tunnel
)and the eryngium seedlings from your garden are coming on a treat.