Do you feel taken advantage of by period supplies costs?

Little backstory, my devil came for the week and i wasnt prepared (this is my first time using a period tracker). All of my friends left the dorms for the winter break so i couldnt just borrow one and get some in the morning. I went to the vending machine to buy one. First off it was $1. and a cheap cardboard one as well, second it was three slots back, meaning id have had to pay a shitton for the crappy piece of cotton. So i got my stuff on and ran to the only store close by open this late. It had 8 plastic applicators for $4 or 10 cardboard for $3.50. Never having been comfortable using cardboard i grabbed the plastic ones. But it just really sucks especially knowing theres pleces where i can get a 16 pack for under $5 but they were closed.