Even if you're not a bargain hunter, use these tips to get the best deals while shopping online.

A steal of a price from an online store can quickly get bloated with added charges and fees. These tips will help you dodge paying those extra dollars, plus track down additional savings.

1. Frugal folks don't pay for shipping. Some online stores, such as Outpost.com, never charge for shipping; others offer frequent free-shipping specials.

2. When comparing online merchants, watch the bottom line. It can make sense to pay a few dollars more for a product at a store that doesn't charge shipping fees. If you must pay for shipping, choose the "slow boat" method rather than relatively expensive express delivery.

3. Sales-tax laws are complex, but they can work to your benefit. Ordering from a company that doesn't have an office in your state generally means you won't have to pay sales tax. This can mean saving hundreds of dollars on a big-ticket item.

4. A few sites charge handling fees, in addition to shipping charges, for orders less than a certain amount. If a site demands such a ransom simply because your total is under, say, $200, shop elsewhere.

5. Beware of the "upsell." Upsell is a sellers' term for offering additional products after you've agreed to buy something. Sometimes upsells are helpful; for instance, a site might offer media after you've added a CD burner to your shopping cart. Other times, the offers are just overpriced and useless. Do you really need a "free" surge protector for a $4 handling fee?

6. Be on the lookout for mail-in rebates. You could be reimbursed quite a few dollars in exchange for a few minutes' time spent filling out forms.

7. Look for student discounts. Some online sellers, particularly software sites, provide academic discounts for students and school faculty. These promotions are often buried on the site, so check the customer-service areas of your favorite sites to see if they offer deals for starving students.
   

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