The smart shops charge the price listed on the book. They get a deal on the shipping. They get a deal on the books they purchase. By charging the cost on the book, they are recouping their shipping costs, plus making a profit of the difference between costs they initially paid and what you paid. The smart shops don't tell you what you are being charged for shipping. It is included in the other costs. And then no one says anything. Everyone wins. Repeat: The Smart Shops.