That's a tricky argument both ways: when we used to travel to one place and get a shed load of stuff from different shops which would last us a while so no further fuel spent, then yes, our current lifestyle of one product from here, one there, one today, one tomorrow *is* wasteful. Bearing in mind your courier guy only gets paid around 60p for your delivery I try to work it so that several deliveries arrive on the same day with the same guy in the same load - he never chucks stuff over my hedge - so we both win.
Back to the original subject: Most people's actual examples of feeling ripped off on postage seem to be about ordering a couple of arrows. Have you considered how hard it is to get these particular things safely through the post? Of course it's going to be more expensive than a jiffy bag. I do find it amusing that people want to order two cheap shafts and then moan. Do what Ebayers do. Buy a dozen then sell on what you don't need. And then you'll appreciate the time, effort and cost of dealing with postal services, and have done someone else a favour too.
I'm more interested in customer service, which, especially online, is precious. I've recently dropped a regular, big name shop because they were selling as stock items they didn't have, hanging on to over £200 of my money without communicating with me that there was no prospect of obtaining the kit. After two weeks I contact them. And then they asked if I'd like something else instead. Err no, immediate refund, please.
So instead of grumping about your online suppliers, *cultivate* them. Get to know them, if you have to phone or email them, you'll find they are a mine of information, freely given. They are there to make a profit, yes, it's their job, but they are all in it because they have the same passion for archery as you do. That's a cool thing.