I've kinda gone through this on my other posts, but to reiterate; I always look for good deals, my first uke about 5 months ago was a Mahalo UTL-30 T Style, designed to look like a classic Fender Telecaster. I saw it in a Musicians Friend catalogue for $99 shortly after I bought a Fender Telecaster ($399 down from $499), which was really the only reason I bought the Mahalo, thought it would be "cute" matching the Tele. I searched the internet and found the Mahalo for $65.
As I started playing the Mahalo, I found that it was rather difficult to make the cords, and in researching, found out about sizes. The Mahalo is a soprano, and I realized I needed a tenor, coming from playing guitar for so many years. So I opened up my latest Musician's Friend and found a Lanikai LQA-TCA on special, $149 down from $329. I drove over to Sam Ash in Hollywood and saw it there for $329, asked if they match prices, they said yes, so I bought it for $149. But, it had a Fishman Sonitone preamp in the sound hole in a bad position. I tried to return it to Sam Ash, but I was past the return period, so I yanked the Sonitone and installed a Fishman Isys+ in the side. (I sold the Mahalo shortly after for $35).
While the Lanikai was out of commission, I realized I would need a second uke in those circumstances, so I got online and found an Eddy Finn EF-13-TE for $158 down from $249. I didn't like the preamp either, so I changed that out.
To cap the whole story, when I tried to return the Lanikai to Sam Ash, they looked up another choice and found a Gretsch G9121 ACE for $239, but it would arrive after the exchange period, so I passed. When I got home, I researched the Gretsch and found lots of very positive reviews. I then found it at N'stuff in Pennsylvania for $199, free shipping, so I ordered it before I actually bought the Eddy Finn. The Gretsch was on backorder with a two month delay, but the price was so good, I went with it. I arrived yesterday and is it nice.
They're all solid top, the Lanikai is easy to play with a wide nut and I had the action lowered, the Eddy Finn is brighter with a polished finish, and the Gretsch I'm still evaluating, but it sure feels good. I'm going to have the action lowered on both. I also added strap buttons to the bottom of all of them (no qualms about that what-so-ever, especially since I also cut the sides out for the replacement preamps).
So yes, I look for bargains, but I also try to stay in a level that makes the deal worthwhile. All three ukes get good reviews, and I think they all sound good.