FT ships free regardless of quantity or total price.
You must have ordered priority for the extra price. (witch was not mentioned in your OP)
Straight from the FT page:
It even states that:
So if not requiring priority upgrade, it is best to just create a different order.
Well, to use your words, "I have read on this thread many times" . To be honest, I have never
really read the FT page but many times people on here have said that you need a minimum order
to get the "good" free shipping. I'm not even completely sure this is true however, that is why I
did it the way I did.
They were just stalling I am certain.