The shipping rate on smaller items reflects Ebay's new policy which does not allow sellers to place a First Class Stamp on an enevelope and mail any longer - Ebay now requires a tracking number so they force sellers to use the higher first class package rates to get a tracking number otherwise Ebay applies low marks on shipping for no tracking updated on the sales record. This impacts the sellers rating and discounts for low shipping / tracking score for the month -- also EBAY now receives a percentage of the postage you paid - sorry but I have no way around their policy