Do you have a system on how you buy your legos that are discontinued?

So I'm relatively new to getting back into legos...and now I'm on fire as far as building and wanting to collect and where the heck am I going to fit all these models...etc...etc...etc.

I've of course scoured ebay for my technic and Star Wars UCS models...and even bought one off of ebay. That being said, I've also been looking at Bricklink recently. The prices I see there...are usually better than Ebay and it looks like much wider selection and control over things such as box and instruction conditions.

When there is just one thing I'm focussing on...I would think simple...look on ebay for that item...check bricklink...buy the better deal.

When I'm just looking...I was thinking something pops up on ebay I like...I think use bricklink as well to maybe get a higher quality item if available.

For you real collectors...do you have a "process" you follow?

I've also started at least looking at Craigslist...and looking for garage sales/yard sales on weekends.

Thanks for any advice you have...I'll be around for a while...

chuck