The Cover Guy review: Hot tub cover order

The web site clearly states, free shipping on all covers this month! So I ordered a spa cover and no shipping fees were charged. Under shipping to vermont, on my order receipt, it clearly states: free.

Four days later, I get an email:
The following note has been added to your order:
Hello,
Thank you for your order. Unfortunately, the zip code provided on your order has been flagged as an outlying area for our courier companies to deliver to.
The shipping and returns section on our website states that if you are in an outlying area you may be subject to a shipping fee.
The additional charge for your area is $150. We ask that you call our office toll free at [protected] with your credit card information so we can take payment as we don't keep your card information on file for your security. Alternatively, if you can have the cover delivered to an different address where you can pick it up, that may save you the additional shipping charge.

I email back to cancel the order. They email me back this:

I can bring the shipping down to $50.00 if you want to still proceed.

Please let me know.

Thank you
Regards,
The Cover Guy1-[protected]

I don't like dealing with companies who hide fees or don't make it clear what those charges are prior to placing the order. Then they knock $100 dollars off the shipping after trying to charge me $150 more! What bad business practices this company has! And I'm sick of companies who play this game. Tell the consumer upfront! Don't advertise free shipping and then tell me later, it doesn't apply to me. I opted for another company, who spelled out shipping and time frame of placing the order. Honesty is the best policy.

I won't order from them ever again.