When I buy fabric in person, the tax is a bit daunting, so I look at it this way.....if the shipping is equal or less than the tax would be, I am making out good, because, in the end, I have not spent anything on gasoline when I buy it in the computer. As to trying to see how they would look together, don't always worry about it because I just buy fabric that I like without thinking how I plan to use it in the future.
So far I have only bought from two places, but they were GREAT! I do not have a credit card and had to send money orders. I got emails from them confirming that the fabric was shipped just two days after I had sent the money. I bought from the Craft Connection and The Quilting Place.