Many Large retailers use this system, it is designed to encourage people to make one larger order rather than 5 small orders. Like anything else shop wisely and compare prices on the total cost of the order.

A firearms parts distributor (Midway)used to sell everything with the shipping included in the price of the item. (under $25 Had a small handeling fee) People stoped buying large orders from them, when they compaired prices and found that on the big orders they saved money with places that priced like cabelas does. That company had to switch to this type of shipping in order to compeate.

Eric