I got 5 yards from Whittles Fabrics last week, and the flat pack postage to Australia was $13.45. Fabric was $17.50. Even at $30.95 including postage, it was still a lot less than paying the $25 - $35 per metre we pay in Australia for the same fabric.
One place over here has a flat rate of $7.50 postage - even for ONE reel of thread! Expensive thread. AND it is only 40kms away. Problem is, they only do mail order. I definitely don't buy from them.