S&H charges from US e-tailers can also add up. The Amazon MarketPlace vendors all charge $2.98, even for a $5 CD. I imagine that is also the rate per item, as I have never orderd more than one item at a time from any MP vendor. I have ordered a dozen times from MDT and never paid any VAT. I heard the shipping rate from Germany is outrageously expensive, as someone complained about how much it cost to ship the Andras Schiff's Bach big box, which is only available in Germany.
I don't see much to complain about.
I guess you don't realise how lucky you are that Amazon.com (proper) offers FREE shipping within the US. And no VAT at MDT, while I presume US customs is vast asleep... (Dutch customs is
always vigilant

)
My own shipping is NEVER free...

And $2,98 from a MarketPlace seller is not so bad. If I order an item on MarketPlace at Amazon.co.uk shipping is £1,79 for a CD, that's $2,64. At Amazon.fr it's €3,40, that's
$4.87.
Germany is indeed incredibly expensive, Amazon.de MarketPlace charges me a whopping €6, that's
$7,92..

But as
Novi suggested at jpc's flat shipping rates, fewer larger orders really saves a lot on shipping.
Q