Fish by post, good idea or bad?

[Meesh]

I live in quite a remote area with one pet shop that sells tropical fish, i bought my first fish from there and they seemed fine and looked healthy but as the angels grew there fins are bent and apparently this can be poor genetics, i would need to travel some distance to get to a bigger store. Has anyone tried buying fish online? Is it worth it? Some online places offer an arrive alive guarantee but i know this only means it isn't floating belly up when it gets to you, i guess the stress would be the same if i bought it from a shop and had to drive home with it anyway, can anyone give any help on this? Also i understand you don't get to see this fish so don't know the colour's or condition! Any info would be great! thanks