Ok. So, you want to buy something. What is the first thing you do ? You type your sought-after product's keyword on a searchengine and check the links that are listed under that keyword.
But wait, there's usually 10 pages full of links coming-up after a keyword search. And, each page usually lists 10 links. That's 100 links under your keyword. Now, how on earth are you going to find the patience and the energy aswell as the time to check all these 100 links out ?
Ok, so you check only the first page out, meaning the first 10 links only.
But, are you not after bargains ? If not, then the majority of internet users, maybe, are. So, for that sake, let's assume that, you too are a bargain hunter.
Now, can you guarantee that the first 10 links you visit are offering the best bargains over the other 90 links you did not visit ?
Nope !
Or, atleast can you guarantee that, these 10 links you visited have what you are searching for ?
Nope !
That means, you'd have to also check-out some of the other 90 links out too. Doesn't it ?
Yep.
Which means more time, patience and energy wasted.
Is there a better way to search or shop ?
Howabout ebay ?
Yep, ebay lists bargains but how-about "product searchengines" like froogle and "product comparison searchengines" like pricerunner.com and "reverse auctions", "wanted websites" and finally "forums" like this one where on the latter 3 you can place your ads searching for a product and sellers will reply to your "wanted ads" ?
Froogle is no good because it doesn't allow you to compare prices. All it does is list hundreds or thousands of products along with their descriptions and images that relate to your keyword and you'd have to check each link out manually to spot bargains.
Ebay and Pricerunner on the other hand allow you to have products ranked according to their prices on your keyword's search result pages and also allow you to compare prices. A reverse auction allows you to place an ad where sellers try to outbid each other offering you lower prices.
But, which one do you most use out of all these ?
An online auction like ebay or a comparison searchengine like pricerunner and it's competitions or a reverse auction or a forum ?
Why do you use one over the others ?

I usually check out ebay but there are a lot of frauds advertising there. Ebay, nowadays is like a prowling place and a safe haven for frauds. That's my reason for now looking elsewhere. Call it an excuse if you like. I am now trying out the "comparison searchengines". I don't post wanted ads on forums anymore because I think professional businesses don't have time to read and post on forums. In my opinion, it's usually, those responding to your wanted ads, those who are doing business from their bedrooms who can afford to have the time to advertise their businesses on the forums, to those who ask anything about a product/service, that relates to their line of work.
What's your reasons and excuses to use one over the other ?
You've heard mine.

I avoid eBay because I've known too many people who got scammed. I also know people who swear by it but I'd only consider it if it's a rare or collectible item I can't get elsewhere.

For books, I usually buy used from www.alibris.com. New ones I'll either get from Barnes & Nobles or Borders. If there's an academic version of software, I go to www.academicsuperstore.com, otherwise I use PriceGrabber or similar.

Most often I'll buy something straight from the manufacturer, especially if there's a way to get a discount; Apple gives academic discounts on their software from their website but not in their stores. And I'll often just shop the online version of a normal store like Target or Sears.

Prior to buying something, I usually try to get reviews from www.epinions.com. It doesn't always work, especially with non-popular products, but I can usually find what I want.

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Start Programming with Python-A beginner's guide to programming and the Python language.
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Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.

When looking for DVD's I check
deepdiscountdvd.com first. They have usually excellent prices if the DVD is available
I then check shopping.yahoo.com for price comparisons
Next is amazon.com for their new and used section.
Then ebay to see if I can get it even cheaper.

I've also seen that sometimes the same dealer on ebay is also at amazon, so you can usually save on shipping by buying direct.

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The 3 Laws of the Procrastination Society:
1) Never do today that which can be put off until tomorrow
2) Tomorrow never comes

I have always had good experiences with Amazon so they would be my first choice, on Ebay its all down to there feedback and price on If I will order.

I normally just hit google - but then I'm quite lazy and don't want to be having to look around at a hundred different sites.