It does annoy me quite a bit when i keep reading "use the search" as the first reply to a thread. I've used the search a fair bit and sometimes it's helpful and sometimes not so.
Things change all the time, and if you are after advice on something or researching a potential purchase there are always new products being released and new companies being recommended, Or if you're trying to find out how to remove something from your car, it's quite possible that someone could now be more helpful than previous posts.
People that say "i get sick of answering the same questions all the time"... it's quite simple, don't answer them, click the back button and go read something else.