Well if that is the market price in your area then that's it. Either don't buy, order online, or start your own parts business. Last week I received a shipment of cut spokes but cheapo me did not buy nipples. Some of my used nipples were stripped. $0.25 at the local bike shop, one of the few that sold them without buying a spoke. I am personally glad a well stocked store with a decent staff was willing to locate and sell $5 + tax of spoke nipples.