We went to pick them up even though we had to take 2 ferries & a 6 hour trip to get them, it was still cheaper than paying freight on them. We didn't open the boxes until we got home & they were fine. We bought 2 & they matched well (as well as oak can match, it's a natural material with differences in colour & texture)
I've had a european beech & the oak & I like the oak a bit better, it's a bit more rustic & relaxed looking, which is just right for my rustic island home.
Good luck with your decisions.

We picked ours up and, like mfrog, didn't look at the pieces until we got them home. I can't even remember which wood species ours is (I'm thinking oak but I could be wrong). We bought 3 different pieces and all looked good, same color, etc. (although ours weren't used adjacent to each other). I think one piece had some slight oddity -- like a chip or something -- on the back side but that didn't show so it was no problem.