Our small town quilt shop is awesome - The Cedar Chest Quilt Shoppe in El Campo, TX. Every month there is something exciting going on - a shop hop in February, a mystery quilt starting in March... The very knowledgeable staff is friendly and makes a point of greeting everyone who walks in the door. There are only 4 on staff including the owner and her mother, but always at least 2 working - depending on the day of the week or what event is happening. They have others who are enlisted when they know the shop will be busy. They'll cut anything you want, cut their end-of-bolts in 2.5" strip bags for a good price, have $3.99 and $5.99/yard sale shelves ... can't say enough good about them. We have a Farmer's Wife Sampler club that meets once a month and have great deals on those days. This month it was buy one thing and get 40% off one item. I got a yard of sale fabric then got 40% off a quilt kit I've been wanting for months.
Our Wal-mart has fabric and wonderful people - when you can find them. I've started calling the customer service desk from my cell phone as soon as I step into the department. Byt the time I'm ready there is usually someone there to cut for me. (I've also been tempted to cut it myself!)
Joann's is an hour drive away and I save it for notions with their coupons. I've been disappointed in fabric I've bought there - except for fleece. They are well-organized and very ready for sales - people at the door with copies of the ad and help directing you where you need to go. Most of us know the secret there is to grab a number for cutting before you start to shop.
Hobby Lobby - an hour away - seems to have better fabric than what I find at Joanns. The staff there is nice, but never seems to know where anything is.
I do order online - Joann's for Best Press was my most recent order. Even with shipping the coupon makes this the most reasonable price I can find. BUT I just got an email cancelling my Best Press order - out of the scent I wanted. Didn't ask if I'd accept a different scent, but send the rest of the order - cheap notions - without applying the coupon! I'm not happy and have written to see if they can change that.
I guess I agree with the lady who said she buys fabric wherever they sell it.