Are certain weapons only drops or can they be bought?

[Boneshaker]

Im looking for a 2 handed mace called "Black Malice". I understand its a drop from an Instance dungeon (Shadow Fang Keep) but I was wondering if some items like that can be found at specific vendors in certain cities? I have been told not to buy weapons or armor from vendors and to use the AH but man I must be missing something there because the deals are few and far between at the AH from what I have seen??

[Khab]

Pretty much all good items are drops or quest rewards. You can also get nice items from have certain reputation with groups/factions that closer to the end game content. The vendors generally carry basic equipment which would be easily replaced by anything found through quests or instances.

As far as the AH goes, that will certainly vary by server but I get a lot of stuff from the auction house. As a new player you should be selling everything you can't use and have two gathering professions. You can make money fast once you know how to do it.

[Your Average WoW Player]

The weapons you don't want to buy from vendors are white quality weapons from "Swords Vendors" or "Armor Vendor" or things like that.

[Erinion]

Look up "Bind on equip" and "Bind on pickup" - that will explain where you can get certain items (why some don't appear in the AH).

Dont buy weapons from "normal" vendors.... they will be crap.

The AH can be hit and miss.... just keep looking

[TPMdm]

Some vendors have limited quantities on "good" gear though. It's usually not worth going out of your way for though.