This is a major peeve of mine as well. But remember it is S&H, emphasis on the H. The amount over shipping they charge is the handling fee for paying someone to pull the item off the shelf package it (packaging isn't free either) and process the sale. Yes it annoys me to no end but I have to sit back and realize I am paying for more than just USPS fees. This is why I always save up my on line ordering so that I am at the top end of the price grouping for the that S&H charge or close enough to getting it free for spending up to a certain amount (usually $50). Most on line shops price S&H on a sliding scale with what you spend.