Why Google ain't all that

Google has been on fire lately. The stock markets, in particular, are going Gaga over GOOG stock. The latest lift under Google's soaring wings is its foray into mobile phones.
The probing question, though, is does Google justify its lofty position?
I would argue no.
Yes, Google is a great search engine, though not perfect. I use Google numerous times a day, especially the Google maps service.
But I have experienced the pitfalls of relying on Google as well. In some ways, the way we spend money in particular, Google has key flaws.
Recently, for instance, I was looking for a roofing repair company. Why not look to Google for such a search, right? Well, one of the companies I found through a Google search looked promising. This company is Dry Roofing Repair, with website www.dryroofing.com.
It turns out this company is a scam. I bought into the company's roof tune up service, but have been left out of luck in any followup after their supposed work. After looking at the company's Better Business Bureau's rating, they have several complaints lodged against them, including mine.
What I should have done is stick to the yellow pages, where I can look at a company listing or ad, and focus only on companies who are BBB members.
How did I eventually find a reliable roof repair contractor? Via word of mouth.
Google's current system doesn't care whether a business is scrupulous or not, as long as a company can pay money for a sponsored link, or create a website with the right tags to lure in victims. Ebay at least has seller and buyer ratings, though even Ebay can be a place to get scammed and fleeced, as previous postings highlight.
When it comes to how I spend money, I never rely on Google anymore. If enough other people reach similar conclusions, I wonder how long Google's lofty stock valuation will last.