As a complete newbie to playing bass (or any guitar) I had no option but to buy online sight unseen as despite having a music store literally just round the corner none of them are open.
Even so going into a shop to try one would have been pretty pointless anyway as I couldn't play (getting there on basics now), I did use PMT as that felt like a real shop with an online presence.
I bought one of the Hofner Ignition basses, as it seemed like a sensibly priced version of a bass that I recognised (I'm a McCartney fan), not perhaps the best choice for a hamfisted beginner. Wish I had looked online more (and found basschat before I bought) and gone for a cheaper more basic bass as I think it would have suited me better. I guess it just means I need to buy a second one already.