I have to say that I have had to shop online for many years...#1- I would NEVER pay that amount for ANY fabric...I shop around and will rarely pay more than $6 and that is for batiks. #2- many places offer FREE shipping.
#3- shipping/packaging/handling fees are all UP....it is the cost of doing Mail order...Insurance alone is now $1.80! IF they don't print their shipping online and most do not...then DC is another $.75! Like I said...shipping is NOT going to be cheap any more....remember Gas prices???? well they use gas to transport that mail...so there goes the money!
IF shipping is that much of a concern to you, then stay away from sites that charge a FLAT rate...as in ANY order for only $5.00 for a certain period..because they need to make up the difference later on!