Shipping policies vary widely, which is why you should understand an online retailer's procedures before making a purchase.
Some online retailers charge a single shipping fee per shipment, while others charge per item.
It's good to know which procedure an e-tailer uses because the knowledge can save you money. For example, you'd probably want to buy multiple items at once from a site that charges one fee per shipment rather than a fee for each item shipped. Many e-tailers give consumers a choice of shipping options. If you need the item right away, you'll likely pay more than you would if you can wait about a week for the item to ship. When making a purchase online, make sure you choose the shipping option that's most cost effective, particularly if time is not a deciding factor for you.