Bricklink Seller Review - Sierra Trade

There's a meme known as First World Problems.  This is in regards to issues that third worlders only wish they had.  Such as my mocha breve isn't warm enough.  Or there's not the right kind of ketchup in the fridge.  Or there's a scratch on my car.  We first worlders take a lot for granted.  One of them is extra service fees.  I should be lucky that I have a computer to access the internet and I have the discretionary income to be able to buy LEGO from a host of different sellers from which I can choose.  That should be more than enough, right?

Profile
Seller: Sierra Trade
Store: http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=nlbell
Feedback (at time of writing): 3342
Feedback Ratio: 99.8% positive
Location: California, United States
Prices: Below 6 month average

My Order
Order Size: 49 lots, 208 pieces
Condition: 96% Used
Shipping Charge: USPS over the counter rates, HOWEVER Paypal's ComBase rate was used
Extra Fees: $1.50 for all orders
Other: Minimum buy $10.  Maximum lots, 40.  California sales tax.
Final Cost per Part: $0.09

Timeline
Order Date: May 3
Invoice Date: May 3
Payment Date: May 3
Shipping Date: May 4
Delivery Date: May 6

Order Details
Why this store: I added some more parts to my Micropolis Wanted List and then started with the first seller to have the most lots.  I then shopped all of my wanted lists but it was important to have those initial parts.
Packaging: I learned my lesson based on past experiences.  I asked for lots to be combined in baggies as appropriate and no stacked plates.  IMHO, the packaging was perfect.
Part condition: Good to like new
Communication: Easy
Feedback left: Positive
Odd telltale signs: None
Issues: None

Recommendation
With low prices and a lot limit I just barely made the $10 minimum.  Many lots don't have very many pieces in them either.  There were more lots that I would have been happy to buy.  The seller and I had done some business in the past and I was granted an extension of a few lots by asking.  This helped to round out my needed parts.  As with most California sellers there is an additional charge that is beyond my limit though the lower prices helped against that.  But even on top of that this seller advertises and charges USPS over the counter rates but then uses Paypal to get the electronic ComBase rate.  So as well as the $1.50 packaging charge there was another 36c that was levied as a "hidden" charge.  I get tired of the grey dishonesty in this regard.  It's not that I wasn't happy with the prices, it's that this is a ploy used to get lower in the price guide before extra fees are tacked on.  I may or may not check out this seller in the future but I will first compare them against other stores before clicking the buy button.