TexasGurl, sorry your experience at Hobby Lobby has not been good. I guess it depends on where you are. We have so many quilters in this state that nearly every HL I've been in has had up-to-date books, in new condition, and a large selection of nice fabrics.
I also purchase from lqs when I can. Recent converstaions have led me to believe that transportation/shipping is behind a lot of the price hike. I wouuld, as someone else has already stated, attribute that to the cost of fuel, not the shipping companies.