Shipping with every carrier has gotten very expensive the last few years, I can look past some higher shipping costs if I get quicker shipping but usually high cost and slow shipping seems to be the case more often than not.  

@dunfire I don't mind paying current fair pricing for shipping but it irks me when a vendor advertises a lowball price and then bumps up the cost of shipping to increase his profit margins.

Often I see smaller shops have a minimum shipping rate.  This does not cover just the shipping cost but also the cost of shipping materials and labor to pack and send it.  As for it arriving USPS in my area during busier times of the year I have had UPS and FedEx packages arrive via USPS.  Following the supplied tracking numbers will should UPS or FedEx took them as far as the local area USPS distribution center and USPS did the last mile delivery.

It is frustreighting when you need a $2 little part that cost $10 to have it shipped.  On the other hand at least we have the ability to look on the web and get the part.  

@timothy-kruger I understand about related cost in shipping as I started my career in parts as a shipper. At that time keeping accurate track of cost was important as revenue more than cost was considered as putting the company in the transportation business thus subject to ICC rules and regulations. Not sure how that is handled today . I am also guessing that many companies today do not warehouse or ship the items they sell and that part of the business is outsourced.