I think a lot of the smaller shops suffer from a lack of shipping options. On an order of $27 - 44oz of Roudybush, 2.5# Zupreem - I'm paying $20-25 additional in shipping alone because my only shipping option is UPS. 2-day UPS Air costs upwards of $65! Whereas if they used a 2-day USPS flat-rate box, I'd only be paying about $15. I would love to support smaller businesses, but I can't justify their practices of charging that much for shipping when I know that there are cheaper options available.
It all depends on the amount of shipping you do with your carrier. UPS for me is a true business account and many times it's cheaper to send via UPS due to my discount. Some businesses do charge a % on their boxes to make up alittle bit more. I DO NOT do this and never will charge a mark up. One of my distributors charges a handling fee for any bag over 10 lbs. I find this ridiculous so in turn, I will buy from another distributor. I was told it helps them buy packing material. REALLY?! Me too! There are costs, down to the new box I might use, I don't charge for this. I re-use boxes as I can get them mostly FED EX boxes that had products in them at my job - new phones, accessories, never any pet food or food.
I have not had any boxes lately cost over $20 most are within the $11 to $15 range. As for free shipping on $19? There isn't enough markup on anything to make a profit even on $25 to $30 after factoring shipping out of it. F&S was able to due to high volume and their pricing with their carrier also negates a good discount. Where you lose one place on cost, you gain on other things.
When I used to buy products before my store, I always ordered mostly with a sale if possible and always hit the minimum to get free shipping. I was never one to order just one or two things. I always ordered enough to make it worth while. I know others don't shop like that, some do. I still go to stores for my dog and cat products. I can do this so I can see date codes on food- and know my bags are not compensated or damaged with shipping.
I feel you on this and I have often mentioned that I would gladly send anything that was small flat rate. If it can fit in a padded flat rate envelope such as 2 Nutriberries for example or one supplement such as liquid Avitech- then by all means I will work with someone to make that happen, no biggie it's $7.20 and I have done this many times for People who didn't want a UPS box sent for $10 or $12
You won't get this with some online retailers and I will go the xtra mile if I can for anyone, especially you guys here.