Tony,
1) I am not sure, but perhaps the shipping reflects (including) the commission for the person who carry the merchandise from Taiwan to the US show (not just the shipping inside the US )
I ordered directly from Hung Sheng before , if I remember correctly, the commission for the carrier was 50.00 (I have to check the record of past communication, but I don't think that number includes the shipping from the show.) Did you confirm with Let's talk plants about the shipping charge? in my case, ordering directly from Hung Sheng, I gladly add the carrier's commission since he carries the flasks personally , this way the only tumbling of plantlets are just the enduring with the internal US shipping.
2) on the issue that the package is still in original chinese news paper wrapping, I remember his add mentioned the plants will be bare root shipping, if you want the option is 5.00 extra per plant to repot by them before sending to you.
Did you order them with repotting or just as bare roots. If you do not request the service with 5.00 addition per plant, then it is beneficial for let's talk plants and you that they did not open the original packet and repacking again. (God knows, they could breaking or damage something, or mix up orders when open things) I am sure they don't want to touch the original plants , I would venture to say that way if something is wrong, when you contact them ,they will be able to go back and make a claim with Hung Sheng that the problem start with the original Hung Sheng package. Frankly, I would prefer receive the plants originally wrapped . We all repot our plants any way.
3) For the saving of order directly, you will have to check the full price of Hungsheng plants with Formosa Orchids (also carrying/growing Hung Sheng plants) or Hung Sheng themselves then compare with the introduction discount price you get with Let's talk Plants , to see if you gain any saving or not.