I agree with Jim...I don't see how anyone could buy a guitar without having tried it first. Especially when it's an expensive item!
EVERY guitar is different- two identical models can feel, and sound different...I've experienced this - at a gig once, my band did a guest spot, and a guy from another band kindly lent me his guitar- which made me comfortable because it was identical to the one I was playing back then (an early '90's genuine USA candy apple red maple neck Strat) AAARRRRGGHH- I was horrified when I started to play it on stage- it was as horrible as my own identical model was lovely!!!
I often browse the net for a bit of window shopping/dreaming - eBay etc, but I don't think I could buy a guitar that way.