Originally Posted by Nolee
... the owner told me ... that the companies now add on a price for the cardboard bolt and shipping plus the bolts are smaller so that they can get more money when you have to order more than one.
No, the fabric companies don't charge for the cardboard! (Though I'm sure the tiny cost for the board does get added into the price somewhere.)
They always DID charge for shipping. (Except for Moda.)
The bolts are smaller, but not for the reason told to you. They're smaller so that the shops can stock a greater variety of fabrics with the same outlay of money. As in, if the bolts are 12 yards instead of 15, a shop can afford to buy five bolts instead of four.