Don't jump to conclusions. The charge may be realistic rather than a fiddle. Like as not the company are taking a profit but don't forget they have a long list of overheads to cover on top of post and packing: Pay, Tax, Rents, Rates, Insurance, Office Space, Furniture, Phones, Equipment, Materials, heat, lighting, etc etc.

Small orders are disproportionally costly to fulfil, because business overheads are much the same whatever the size of the order. So expensive to supply that many firms avoid selling retail entirely. More are getting into direct selling these days because online shopping cuts admin costs dramatically. It computerises most of the accounting, stock control, tax and billing functions that once needed teams of clerks, but small orders are still pricey.

Tiny firms have other problems. They can't achieve economies of scale, and can be doing a good job even though they're too busy with online work to answer telephone and email enquiries, thus upsetting customers who need human contact.

Good policy to walk away from firms who overcharge, but not advantageous to dismiss a supplier because of a misunderstanding. Only punish those who deserve it!

Dave