[onauc]

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.

[Chankama]

I usually know exactly what I want. For generic items like keyboards or floppy disk drives, I just go with the most popular item in the online store with good ratings. And just make sure that it does what I want it to do. Like whether the keys on a k/b are sensitive enough for gaming.