There are a variety of sources where stock books are available. If you belong to club pay attention to club auctions or post a request in either the club's news letter or as new business. Check the classified ads in the stamp ppublications that you might be getting and respond with an inquiry. Check into auction houses and mail bids types of sales for supplies you need. Retail houses such as you have mentioned are in business to make as much profit as they can, hence the high cost and extra shipping charges. There places on
ebay and stampoffers.com that might have the supplies you are looking for at a reasonable price. There is absolutely no reason to pay full retail for material. Some of this takes a little time especially if you are waiting for responses. If you are in a hurry, then you will pay full retail to the large retail outlets.
Joel