Estes is really selling them for $26.99, the list price. The extra $30 is for hazmat shipping. You get a "discount" on multiple motors because the $30 extra spread across the order.
If we figure the hazmat fee at $27.50 (standard rate AFAIK)
Cost of one motor $26.99 (AT list) + $27.50 = $54.49 Estes = $56.99
Estes also charges $9.99 to ship a single motor. Total $66.98
Up the order to 2 motors and Estes pops for free shipping - there are
no qty discounts for only 2 motors. Our total is now $113.98 If we take off the hazmat, they are charging
$43.24 per motor.
At qty 3 we get a discount -$20 per motor = total $110.97 or $27.82 per motor. *yes, you pay less (total) for 3 motors than for 2*
When we up the order to 7 motors we get $25 off each motor. Now our total cost is $223.93 and per motor $28.06 *It's weird - larger qty with a bigger discount - yet the cost per motor after removing the hazmat fee increases by 0.24 cents*
Go for broke (literally) and buy 12 motors - discount is -$30 each. Now we are at $323.88 less $27.50 hazmat = $296.38 for 12 motors - or $24.70 each
So buy a dozen and they are $2.29 off list - a discount of 8.5%... Oh wait - problem... That won't sell that qty - not in stock.
Now don't get me wrong... I hold no ill will against Estes, but they need to come up with a better scheme for the pricing of the motors on their webstore.
The way the discounts are structured, you are better off buying at full list direct from Aerotech... hummmm... maybe that was part of the arrangement?!?