This is a Carol Doak thing. Most retailers sell their goods at a 100% mark up. I know she makes at least a 500% mark up on her paper she sells for paper piecing. With that said, there is another issue that is a lot more important than the retailers charging for their wares, it is that the UN has made a move to gain control over the internet through the ITU International Telecommunications Union, which is part of the United Nations, which would bring in international governance of the internet.China, Russia and Saudi Arabia are strong supporters of the treaty. So far, the US has not signed the treaty. Then there is Google and their insidious way of getting information from the different apps and services they provide through the internet. I have not done an update on my phone due to Google's permission statement which says that if I update the Google related apps, I give them permission to access all information on my phone including photos, contacts...everything....just to upgrade programs that we used to pay for! It is always about control and money. I will get off my soap box now....we all should just stay informed and when we see our freedoms being infringed, contact your political representation.