Regarding shipping costs, I believe that its just laziness with some people.
They find it so convenient to simply use a USPS priority mail envelope, with its automatic charge of $ 3.20, than to attempt to minimize the costs.
They could buy the 4" x 7" size padded mailers in quantity for about 12-15 cents each and then ship 3 chips for just 55 cents first class. If the chips are valuable enough to warrant insurance, that's just 85 cents more.
If enough purchasers complain about it, maybe these people will begin to think.
Don