Been on both ends of this discussion :-), but searches are often more frustrating than is worth it. If the search REALLY stinks, I assume they are using google which seems to become more useless by the day and often seems to be more of a sales catalog than an actual search for something useful to *me* and whatever problem I am trying to solve (starting on page 10 will often get you past the paid placements and into some useful information unless it is just all gobblygoop). After trying a half dozen to a dozen or so different search parameters and getting nothing useful, yes, sometimes I do get a bit frustrated and will pester the gods :-).

Yes, people should search before asking but I can certainly understand why that might not be the first choice. I do it but often come back to having to beg anyway :-).