on the cheap

Check out Chuck and Debs Tackle online. Fishing Buddy got some good deals from them.

This isn't a fair question-hehe. I buy what I know I use but I find the darndest things in places like Walmart where I got about 1000 times the Goose Biots for 99 cents vs. What I paid at a fly shop for the exact same product. I even got Guinea feathers among other things[more feathers] in Walmarts craft isle. Cabelas, Janns, Barlows, TCO fly shop, and 10 billion other shops.

One of the better places for a guy to buy materials that is not buying big enough to go wholesale is Barlow's Tackle and they have a really good selection.
MATERIALS FOR MAKING CRAPPIE JIGS, WALLEYE*AND BASS JIGS. Jig molds,*fishing hooks. BARLOWS FISHING TACKLE EXPRESS

Skip

I second the craft stores. Personally never had problems with colorfastness of feathers. Pick up the chenille at Gander or another similar place.

Walmart here is not so hot with their usable supplies for me and besides it's 40 miles away from me. I don't live near any craft store or any place to get good supplies.

I would be surprised if Gander was less on chenille than Barlow's. Now I don't get mine from either as I buy direct from the Mfg, but when I did buy from shops I hate them 5 yard cards as they get smashed and are many times wrapped too tight. Of course that only leaves buying a skein then so not really for a new tier or anyone that doesn't need that much.

SKip

If you are near one sportsmans warehouse has a pretty good price on chenille and other supplies. The closest one for me is Memphis which is about 180 miles, I don't go often but when I do I try to stock up pretty good.