I have ordered both small and large items online for quite some time. I have never been asked for a deposit. I usually order things COD (cash on delivery), and have only been asked for payment in advance by reputable, large companies when I am buying things like washing machines, clothes dryers, refrigerators, or high ticket electronics - all of which I have purchased online in the past few months. I always look for comments from previous buyers if I am purchasing anything from an unfamiliar source or when I am a first-time buyer. The internet is convenient, but caution is required.