RE: do any online stores have cheap shipping for small items?
Yep. Also, take a small package down to the post office and find out how much it would cost to ship to Champaign IL or Reno NV (where Tower DC's are). You'll find out that the $5 Tower wants is more than fair for them to ship from one of those locations to you. I sell here on RCU now and then and on eBay. I've noticed that shipping has gone sky high just like a lot of other stuff.