It's really best to make a couple really trusted friends in diablo 2, or get some friends from REAL life, and get them to play diablo 2.
What I like to do, if no one is online, is make a game called: "Free Norm Rush" or somthing, wait until someone joins, go to act 5 and drop your stuff, then tell them "I'll brb with my better character" or somthing along those lines, then come back and grab your stuff. You should probably rush them too afterwards, dont be an ass.