Reviews are helpful, and I usually start research by reading the negative ones. When I look at the number of reviews at each star-level, I generally decide against purchase if it doesn't have a large number of positive reviews. If all of the four-star and below are close to half of the reviews, I move to the next product.

I try to remember to do a search and click on Google shopping before shopping Amazon. I compare local offerings vs online. A couple of times a month I end up placing an order through the website of a local big box store then have it delivered to the store for pickup. Amazon doesn't beat all prices and doesn't carry all brands. I'm getting around to replacing my dead motion-detector porch light and will probably pick the new one up locally.

I saw a great looking coffee maker at Goodwill last week, but I don't drink coffee and I have a modest one that does the job when guests come to stay. (It was free from Gevalia years ago when they were doing the free coffeemaker offers). I sometimes buy things that are just too good to pass up, but only if it is something that I might actually end up using or can sell on eBay. Or give to one of the kids.