Finding a consensus for wallets/services?

[RaptorRed]

I've read a lot of threads and articles on various wallets and exchanges out there and almost every one has a horror story or two warning people never to use them. The most popular ones (Mt Gox, BTC-e, Coinbase, -QT wallets, etc) all have multiple threads on why you should avoid them, but the alternatives seem to be too new and untrustworthy compared to the established names. Is there so much negativity on the popular sites because so many use them that there is bound to be someone unhappy with them? Or are the newer, less established sites/wallets the better ones?

Basically, how does one find a consensus on what wallets and exchanges to use? Similarly, if you were to start all over again, what exchanges and wallets would you use?

[b!z]

Offline wallets = good for long-term storage.
Online wallets = only good for what you can afford to lose.

[TheQuin]

Think of using an online wallet as like carrying cash. You might get pickpocketed or mugged so you wouldn't carry vast sums with you.