Something I see not mentioned is the boxes and packing materials, sure some used boxes get used and old news papers also. BUt these companies have costs in the respect also. I am a customer too and I do order stuff at times that EC doesn't have or whatever, but since working there I do see what all goes into it and the large amount of meterail used, I know this cause I unload the trucks that bring us those materials sometimes several pallet loads at a time. What amazes me is we get online orders all the time for 1.25 or 2.50 just one itty bitty item. And Shipping is generally 7 to 10 dollars fed-ex. We get asked all the time just stick it in a envelope and send it. There was a time we did this, but then the claims of I got the envelope and nothing was in it went thru the roof, prolly due to the machinery used to seperate the mail tore it out. Too many different people had these problems so to say it was a customer is wrong. SO we only ship fedex. This way its garranteed, and insured and customer is covered regardless. But it amazes me at the nickle and dime orders we recieve and shipping is several times more than the part. Customer knows this cause they do it online it gives the fedex rate for that moment. Thats is controlled by fed-ex not us.
An example we sent a 1.75 tilly part to California first of the week it costs them 12.50 to get that part. BUT like the customer said he cannot get it local. So whats he do!!! It sucks the cost of everything now days SUCK!!!