Replying to How to go about buying a boot....

I'm in a dilema... The prices of boots on the internet are fantastic, but buying boots online is stupid without having them fitted first. Ideally I could go to a boot fitter, have the boots I want fitted so I know which ones are best, say thank you, and then go buy them online. Then again, that seems like a dick thing to do. I really don't want to drop $300 extra on a pair of boots just so I can have them fitted, rather than buying them on sale.

For those who don't have Full Tilts, and spend some money on their boots, how do you go about buying them?