There is need for both. I use Coastal too as a brick and mortar store when I'm in the area. It is about 55 miles from my house and often worth the trip. I bought my last drill from them. Had I bought mail order, I would have never known there was a better choice for me. I decided what I wanted, went to the store and being able to handle a half dozen models, I found I like the Panasonic over the Bosch.
Adding in the 110 mile round trip, stopping for lunch with my wife, etc. I would have save quite a bit by mail order. It was not just a $$ and ¢¢ decision though.
For the guy that is 300 miles from the nearest dealer, he has to rely on mail order. We have life good being able to go to a web site and choose from Lee Valley, Coastal Tools, McFeelys, 7 Corners, etc. A luxury our parents did not have. If not for the internet, I would not know they existed. Ed