There are both advantages and disadvantages to buying cognac online. The advantages are that it may be possible to save money from prices charged in brick-and-mortar stores and that a consumer may be able to find a better selection of cognac through online sources. The disadvantages are that a buyer may not be able to work with an experienced salesperson in choosing a bottle of cognac and must wait for the cognac to arrive. There is always a risk of the cognac bottle sustaining damage during transit as well. In some jurisdictions, it is not possible to buy cognac online, as there are legal restrictions regarding mail-order sale of alcohol. If somebody chooses to purchase cognac via mail order in an area that restricts the shipping of alcohol, he risks having his purchase confiscated.
For lovers of fine cognac, seeking out interesting cognacs can be much easier to accomplish online than in retail shops. This is particularly true if someone lives in an area in which cognac is not often sold. Some online shops may specialize in fine and rare cognac and may offer several different types of cognac to their customers. Someone who wishes to search for cognac online will have the advantage of being able to compare prices and descriptions from different shops before making a selection. Also, while consumers are online, they can consult articles, reviews, and other information that can help them choose which cognac or cognacs they wish to buy.
The disadvantages to buying cognac online include the inability to work with a salesperson or shop owner who can help guide the customer in his purchase. In a specialist shop, a buyer may even have the opportunity to try out a cognac before committing to buy a whole bottle. Once a selection is made from an online store, the buyer may have to wait several days before she receives her cognac and, because fine cognac is usually packaged in glass bottles, there is the potential risk that the bottle may crack or shatter during shipping.
Another problem with buying liquor online is that, in some jurisdictions, it is illegal to ship alcohol through government mail, and even some private shipping companies may have rules against transporting liquor. Some online retailers may simply not attempt to ship cognac to customers in such areas, though some will offer to do so at the buyer's own risk. This means that an individual may pay for his cognac only to never receive it because it has been confiscated, leaving him without his cognac or his money. As such, many cognac lovers refuse to purchase their cognac online, preferring a less risky way of purchasing their liquor.