I would buy locally if you can. If you buy online and all goes well, it is not a problem. But, if it doesn't, then you will be much better off if the people who sold you your pool are right there to help fix it. I have always bought my pools from my pool dealer. I don't buy chemicals there other than the occasional container of CYA but I do buy equipment from them. If you show them the other pools that you are considering, they might be willing to drop their pool's price down a bit to get the sale. Just my $0.02.