You ARE being contadictory as you do not know all of the facts:It costs us $1.96 with tax to mail a chip and of course it does cost about 45 cents plus tax for a mailer, which brings the total to about $2.46. The sites you visit NEVER mention tax.Like you in the UK we are taxed to death over here.
Another thing David....when we send letters with ANYTHING OTHER THAN PAPER INSIDE,they are no longer classified as a letter so we are automatically bumped up to the next level,have to spend extra postage for that "privilege".
But I guess you are right as it costs me only about $2.46 to mail a chip NOT the $2.50 I stated.
Please forgive me.