So research for 200x100 white and black metro tiles underway and whilst i can get them for around 12 per m2 on the internet and fleabay, bricks and mortar stores typically charge almost double!

Just wondering whether there is likely any material difference in quality?

Ive requested samples from the online places but i cant see why if there difference is marginal anyone would ever want to buy them at double the price no matter how good the customer service!

Overheads ? the link I gave you is an Ebay store and a real (Bricks and mortar store) The price is the same.
Maybe you just havent tried the right store.

yep checked out that place and its all good... im referring to a local store to me because i would have liked to have supported local trade but at their prices it does not make sense

for most other things the difference is rarely double the price between bricks and mortar and online so i was wondering if this was specific to the tile industry!

Maybe you just have an expensive tile store.

there are loads of good value tile outlets in hertfordshire, the price variation will be from someone who stocks the tile and buys them in pallets at a time and someone who buys through a distributor and then sells them on to you, they have to buy them at trade prices and then put their profit margin on, dont take it personally its just business and with the internet many consumers have unrealistic expectations of small local retailers