As far as high shipping, if you have $50 to spend on a part, does it matter is the part is $40 and $10 shipping, or $45 and $5 shipping? Either way, its the same out of pocket cost for you....
I have higher shipping, becuase of my international customers. When I ship to Canada, its TWICE the USA shipping price, and when I ship elsewhere its THREE times the shipping price.
By having the DOUBLE and TRIPLE style pricing, its makes my life much easier, so I don't have to answer 200 emails a day asking how much shipping a coil is to South Africa or how much to ship a swingarm to Australia.
Because of this, I actually LOWER the item price itself, and add a little shipping, so that it will cover the international rates IF it goes that way.... Either way, the USA customer pays the same amount for the shipped item, Simple economics
Plus, any local customers get an even better deal if they pick up!