I always understood that the principal cost in making publications (books or magazines) available in shops was the distribution costs; retailers' costs and margin (a substantial amount), wholesalers' margin, physical transport costs at multiple stages, wastage (sometimes considerable), etc. All which is borne within the cover price.
One wonders why, therefore, publishers doing mail order by direct dispatch from them to consumer then feel they have to add a substantial amount (over 10% seems common) for "postage". Let alone not admit that they do this until the last stage of ordering.
One wonders why, therefore, publishers doing mail order by direct dispatch from them to consumer then feel they have to add a substantial amount (over 10% seems common) for "postage". Let alone not admit that they do this until the last stage of ordering.