I do the same as Ronn and Ross. I keep what I want in mind and when I need enough to amortize the shipping I place the order. I usually page through the catalog to see what I might need in the near future and add that to the order. I do agree that shipping is a ripoff just like the high price we have to pay for the crap gas being sold today.
I need to make a BIG list to amortize the cost of gas to make a trip back to Bert's in Denver.