If the item is offered at a competitive price then it effectively is free.
For example many items are sold at a fixed MSRP and no retailer will undercut it, but some retailers will offer free shipping while others charge me. That's actually free shipping from my perspective.
The same logic applies retailers that offer "free shipping for orders above $X". Can you argue that the cost is rolled in anyway? Sure, but rational actors think at the margins. The alternative is effectively paying twice for shipping, both the explicit shipping charge and the upcharge rolled into the price. Again, if the prices are competitive the retailer is essentially eating shipping costs for you.
For example many items are sold at a fixed MSRP and no retailer will undercut it, but some retailers will offer free shipping while others charge me. That's actually free shipping from my perspective.
The same logic applies retailers that offer "free shipping for orders above $X". Can you argue that the cost is rolled in anyway? Sure, but rational actors think at the margins. The alternative is effectively paying twice for shipping, both the explicit shipping charge and the upcharge rolled into the price. Again, if the prices are competitive the retailer is essentially eating shipping costs for you.