Yep, cheap items dont have enough margin for the retailer to eat the shipping cost without losing money in the deal. Shipping is $$$$$ these days, if youre getting cheap shipping its because the shipper is paying for it as part of a discount.
Ive purchased several scopes from europtic, they always shipped fast, price was always at least competitive (or great), and they carry several brands that are hard to find—Ive bought from cameralandny as well and they were also great, but they dont carry some of what Im after. 2-day shipping was always free on the scopes I bought from europtic.