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I strip DRM because I want consistent formatting for my ebooks, and because I don't want to be tied to any one reading environment.
I have bought from many ebook stores. My first go-to store was FictionWise, because they treated their customers right and they had a good selection. Later on, Amazon overtook FictionWise and all others for me because of selection, price and customer service. FictionWise withered on the vine, and I don't shop there any more. With agency pricing Amazon has less of a price advantage, but there is also less point in shopping around. Now if an ebook is available at Amazon I buy it there, and otherwise I search InkMesh for alternative stores. I am in the US, and I used to use WHSmith for UK ebooks but now I buy them from Kobo directly (since WHSmith is a front for Kobo).
A large advantage Amazon has is their customer reviews. I like to see a review or two for new authors, and I like to see the stars bar chart for established authors. I don't mind seeing a few negative reviews, but a title with a uniform bar chart (all rankings about the same) makes me think twice about buying. Amazon reviews used to be head and shoulders above other ebooks sites, but they are catching up. Google books has a good review system. B&N does not show the bar chart. Kobo (UK) does not seem to have many reviews at all. The in-store book search seems to be about equivalent now at Amazon, B&N, Kobo and Google. All show likely options while you type for example.
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