Be careful. I got lucky with my first Horn but it still needed an overhaul. My recommendation is unless you know for sure what the instrument's shape and sound is or you're going to try it out before you buy it, its ok. Otherwise a big fat ugly no.

Bought a trace elloit amp online the other day and I'm happy as chips with it, plus things online are cheaper, as long as the site checks out then go for it mate.

Ebay
 

I bought a guitar on ebay :)

It was shipped nicely and worked well.

I don't see any problems in buying instruments online, unless you want to see it and play with it before you buy it.

basically any acoustic guitar is good for a beginner to learn on,
but classically stringed guitars are ghey as fuck.

Harvey96, Buying an instrument online is fine if you know the instrument. Try it out in the store first if you have no experience with a specific model.

djChameleon, For a beginner, I'd get an electric. They are easier to play, more expressive, more fun. Johnny is right, I'd avoid a classical - since the necks are fat and you the strings don't bend as well.

I have purchased two Gibsons from BuyGibsons.com with success.

Yeah, I dont recommend buying instruments online unless they have a VERY good return policy.