Id like to think that a company would make an exception if the buyer goes through the troubles to contact them and ask for it to go a different way.
You are told what the total cost of the order will be, including shipping,
before you confirm your order. If you don't like the Shipping charges, don't order and contact Messicks. They even give you a phone number to call on the same page that lists the Shipping options and payment information.
I just started the order process for a $3.21 washer and here's what I see at the beginning of the Checkout process. As you can see, Shipping charges for a $3.21 washer would be $9.75. By way of reference, my last real order of 3 filters and 2 O rings cost $16.75 to ship and weighed 5 pounds. My guess is, there's a minimum charge that's based on your distance from Messicks.
Shipping Options
We typicaly ship UPS or Fedex depending on the best transit time to your area.
All parts shipments from Messicks are fully insured and trackable.
Ground Shipping - $9.75
Expedited Air Freight
Abbottstown Pickup
Elizabethtown Pickup
Call 877-260-3528 for assistance.
I started the order process for the same part at partspring.com. The washer was $0.01 more and here are the shipping options.
United States Postal Service
Priority Mail $8.20
Express Mail $24.85
United Parcel Service
Ground $17.50
3 Day Select $25.40
Federal Express
Home Delivery $18.72
Express Saver $24.96