I always check out the web sites you guys suggest when it comes to special sales and clearance. I like the prices on the web sites but then don't order because of the shipping that is added to my order or sometimes I'm not sure about the fabric if it looks the same when I get it as on the picture.
Are you buying a lot of those sales even with the shipping or how are you guys handling this?

fabric.com is free shipping on orders over $35

I buy from sellers with either free or very low shipping. Just can't justify high shipping costs while trying to get a good deal!! :)

I feel comfortable buying name brand fabrics on line I add the shipping price to the purchase price and divide by the number of yards i'm ordering to get the actual fabric price per yard then I can compare it to my average LQS price (with tax). This way I can better decide if i'm getting a deal. See, I knew that that math degree would eventually come in handy!

How much more is the shipping compared to what you'd pay in sales tax and gas to get to your your LQS?

Plus the convenience of shopping in your pajamas at 3AM.
Priceless (at least for me).

As noted above, some sites do offer free shipping. That's a real bonus.
But it is a cost of doing business, and the site can either absorb it or pass it on. And I've found most sites are reasonable when it comes to shipping because their customers have become very knowledgeable about what can be crammed into Flat Rate Priority envelopes and boxes.

If a site it totally out of whack with that, I just move on to the next site. Easy enough.

Pick your site, then you can always do a search for online coupons---often find free shipping that way---

The nearest fabric store is 50 miles each way from me. At 3.19 for gas I can pay a lot for shipping and still have a good deal.

What I do is total up the fabric cost plus shipping and divide that number by how many yards I'm purchasing. If I'm satisfied with 5, 6, $7 a yard, I push the button!

Exactly what MTS said.

I buy about half of my fabric online, the other half in local quilt shops. And the sale prices always help online to help offset the shipping.