I do the same thing, but I call before I shop! When I get to the fabric department I go ahead and call the customer service desk and THEN see what I want to get. Works wonderfully. As to why I would buy fabric there? Because not every project I make needs $10/yd fabric. Seasonal things especially are often made with Walmart purchases. I made nap mats/quilts for my grandsons and let them choose what they wanted from the offerings at Walmart. My beloved LQS didn't have the kinds of things the boys wanted - dragons, flames, Dallas Cowboys, dinos - and I wasn't willing to spend that much for them. Where do I buy fabric? Wherever it's sold!