I honestly don't know where others have been purchasing their FQs, I've found them to be exactly the cost of what 1/4 of a yardage would be, and I've shopped in quilt shops in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC, Yukon and Alaska. I've not seen them work out to be more $ then buying yardage.
I'm sorry I can't help you about Missouri Quilting but I can tell you that I love Fat Quarters. I find that when I have a bit extra $ it's always fun to stop in and buy a FQ to add to my stash. I love the variety of fabrics I'm able to get in my quilts using a variety of FQs rather then yardage of just a few fabrics. I tend to buy yardage only for my border fabrics.
hope that helps!