I haven't purchased from here.
My purchasing decisions are researched, and I compare local prices (New Zealand) to US prices (including shipping) and a conservative exchange rate. At the moment it is "cheaper" to buy the same product direct from the US.
I don't tend to purchase very often, and when I do it is "in bulk" (which makes the shipping worthwhile).
Retail costs are pretty high here (approximately $30 per metre) - and that is way out of my price range. Gotta love a budget :)
Thanks to my awesome (retired) Mum, who gives me cash at my birthday to buy enough fabric (from the States) to make 1 quilt a year (which I hand quilt). I think she's absolutely fabulous! Yep - Love my Mum to bits :)