A fish is only worth what someone is willing to pay. Shops have huge overheads so to compare shop price to amature breeder is not really fair. If you buy a $100 fish from a shop, privately it is probably worth $40.
I buy 90% of my fish from shops, good quality shops where I know the quality is there. I have lost more fish after getting given fish or buying from new sources that I have learnt my lesson. With my community tank, I only get from two shops. If the don't have it, I wait. Nothing rare though. :-).
I just think our LFS need our support. You may buy cheaper online or privately but our hobby is nothing without LFS. Find a good one, get to know them and you will never pay shelf price again.