I do the same. But the shipping uses gasoline, too. Food gets grown, processed and delivered to the store with use of gasoline. Fertilizer is produced on a feedstock of natural gas.
We are none of us independent of gasoline or any other fuel source.
We have a transportation cost for electricity also. Here, our utility uses coal. It comes from Wyoming, which is not that far away. However, when the railroads were deregulated, it left many plants with only one transport option and the price went up. There are bills to encourage railroad competition in both the House and Senate that have not been acted upon. We had a $0.05 increase this winter and will get another $0.05 increase in May, to $0.09+/kwh.
So, we aren't even seeing a free market in coal transport, nor are we independent of electricity.
I predict many small home-based businesses are going to have to factor in these costs (gasoline/natural gas/electricity) and either raise prices or go out of business. I raised my prices in June and cannot do so again for awhile. All my supplies have gone up, as well.
My propane supplier just set the lock-in for July 1,2006--June 30, 2007 at $1.55. This is just $0.02 over last year, when the cap was only from October 1,2005--March 1,2006. Propane is selling for over $1 wholesale and the usual formula is retail=2xwholesale. The volume contracted for is the same. Our budget payment also went up about 15% this winter. Due to frugality, wood heat and strict regulation of hot water usage, we so far have a substantial credit in our gas account.
Perhaps Ferrellgas anticipates that prices will fall?
I did not not say I am independent of oil, just much less than most. I am all electric and live within 30 miles of a Duke nuclear plant. I have space for a garden and if push comes to shove I could do without most heat or any cooling. Our area is pretty mild.
I actually make money on the shipping since the buyer pays and very little shipping runs over a dollar a shipment. I sell a small product that takes little space and is shipped in a small bubble mailer.
If things get really bad I have a 100 lb. sack of rice in the pantry and the basics for 6 months.