JoAnn's chain frequently has FQ's on sale for $1. (I never pay full price at JoAnn's -- everything will be on sale or have a %off coupon soon enough.) Q shops usually run $2 up. Think about it -- if quality fabric is selling for $8.25 or more per yard, the store would be losing money to sell a FQ (1/4 yard) for less than $2.25!
I am lucky enough to have a store within easy distance that sells a lot of "past season" (not this year's, or overstock) flat folds (not on bolt) for $2 to $4 per yard. With this available, I try not to spend more than $1 per FQ unless I can't find what I need otherwise.