This topic pops up in forums from time to time but I will tell you that RK has responded on their site and blog as well as on quilting board:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...-t33854-4.html stating all customers receive the same quality Kona Solids, so I would definitely not pay more for them at a quilt shop. There's a huge selection at Yoder's Department Store in Shipshewana (a good few hours drive from me but available online) and they charge about the same as JoAnns & Hobby Lobby maybe a little more, but for the variety of colors and excellent customer service, I'll gladly pay for it. I've not seen it at the $11+ listed on other post entries anywhere.
If your local JoAnns does not have the quality you expect, let RK know. I have purchased from Hobby Lobby and have been very pleased with the quality. Our local JoAnns rarely has any stock and I have purchased RK muslin that was included in their Kona section & the label wasn't all that clear---but that was a couple years ago. It's been straightened out at our local store since. Between the two, I'd rather shop Hobby Lobby any day.
JAs does have a much cheaper quality that they carry & it's in the same area so your local shops may be out of stock, too. I think it's called country something and it's see through...no where near the quality of RK solids even though there may be some signage in the area or customers may put the lesser quality back in the wrong spot. I use this RK Kona on everything, even have plans to redo the boys' room with some soon. It's a beautiful weight, gorgeous colors & excellent quality. I haven't been disappointed in my RK Kona purchases yet....now if I could just get a hold of one of those color cards, I'd be a happy camper because I buy the very same shade of blue every single time I make it up to Shipshewana!! LOL