Because a lot of my cocktails require obscure, difficult-to-find ingredients, I purchase a lot of alcohol online. It seems like a strange thing to purchase through a website, but with technology advancing at the high rate of speed that it is, you can buy almost everything that you need online—and why should alcohol be any different? If the appeal of buying a bottle of your favorite wine from your couch beats driving to your local convenience store, this list is for you. Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons of purchasing alcohol online.

Pro: Convenience

This one essentially speaks for itself, especially if you’ve already got alcohol in your system. Nothing beats the convenience of purchasing your alcohol from the luxury of your own home. This means no worries about being on the road and being able to choose exactly what you want, when you want it, without ever having to put shoes on and walk out the door.

Con: Waiting Time

With every pro there is a con, and this is no exception. I purchase much of my alcohol online from B-21, and while it's very convenient, you obviously have to wait for it to ship and be delivered. If you need alcohol that is accessible immediately, then this isn’t the best option for you. Depending on who you choose to order from, the wait can be as long as a few days to even weeks.

Pro: Easier to Find What You’re Looking For

No need to feel embarrassed scouring through aisles and aisles looking for that bottle of liquor that no liquor stores seem to have in stock. Finding that bottle is now as easy as a quick Google search and a click of a mouse. If you’re lucky, some online providers will even have recommendations based on what you’re searching—so you may have a new favorite drink of choice.

Con: Packaging and Shipping

When you order something fragile online, you’re taking a gamble. There’s no guarantee that your order will arrive without spillage or broken glass, so make sure that you’re ordering from a reputable provider. Also, time of year and temperature can potentially have an effect on the packaging, so make sure that the alcohol your purchasing is appropriate for the time of the year and won’t have any adverse reactions to temperature.

Pro: Shopping Around By Price

This is one of, if not the best, parts about buying alcohol online. If one online provider is selling it for a price that you think is too high, chances are there’s another provider that is selling it for less. Again, using your best judgment is key to finding the right online provider, but you’ll likely find that every supplier runs special offers and may have variations in price. If you’re open to what you want to buy, you can base your purchase on what special promotions they currently have running—something you usually won’t find in liquor stores.

Con: Legality Issues

While convenient, buying alcohol online presents a new set of legality issues, especially in terms of proving that the purchaser is of age. Because online alcohol vendors are considered high risk merchants, there are strict regulations and laws that they need to be in compliance with in order to run the business. With that being said, make sure that you find an online vendor that has a reputable age verification to avoid any legal issues down the road resulting from a card-not-present purchase.

Depending on your needs, buying alcohol online can be a more convenient and appropriate way to purchase everything you’re looking for. With a little look at the pros and cons, you have everything you need to decide whether you prefer the traditional method of purchasing alcohol, or you’re ready to try something new.