I paid $3.20 a bf for 8/4 beech. This is around $0.20 less than what
I can buy 4/4 hard maple for here. The guy I know at the lumber yard
said they got a good deal by buying a large quantity out of Germany.
I get a 10% discount at the lumber yard because they know me as a
regular customer (I'm a small potatoes buyer, but they are trying to
encourage the local amateurs like me).

Around my parts (WA) 4/4 (13/16") beech goes for $3.99 a bf, there is
no quarter sawn and there is no 8/4 stock. I made several beech
panels (8) for a pedestal bed vs making rail and stile type
construction I would use if I did it again and I found the flatsawn
beech to cup quite badly.

Alan