The Online Family answers:

First, check out a web site's shipping policy before you start shopping. For some items, the shipping fees may be high and therefore not worth purchasing online. Amazon, for one, offers free shipping when you buy over a certain dollar amount. Or if you're comparing electronics on CNET, for example, it will list shipping rates for various vendors so you can make shipping costs a deciding factor in which seller you pick. The next issue is how quickly you need an item. If you can wait, go ahead and select the site's slowest shipping option. This could save you anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds. For large, expensive items, like a stove or furniture, make sure to pick the shipping option that comes with insurance in case it gets damaged in transit. Also, beware of shipping costs for online auction items. Many sellers will charge low prices but then list very high shipping costs to make a better profit.