We are constantly fed the bill of goods at this forum how advantageous it is for merchants to sell for btc, because it's "virtually free" to pay with it, compared to any other form of payment, because it's like "totally decentralized", non-Fed or bank, digital freedom "cash", man!

Right now, it seems even more advantageous to the merchant because the btc is gaining value so quickly against the "worthless fiat" we all hate so much here.
With all that in mind, explain to me please why your prices are still higher if I pay you in btc, than if I send my "worthless fiat" via check or money order to APMEX to buy the same thing?
bitpay takes a bit off the top to convert that sexy BTC to USD.. thats were the higher btc price comes from.