I usually just repaired when the warning symbol showed up, unless I happened to notice low durabilities while trading, etc.
Repairing items does make them worth more. I put a couple skill points into Repair, found a couple items with a Repair bonus and bought another. All loot without full durability I stored in a chest to be mass repaired and sold off later.
I play the same way too. With two skill points I have at the moment, I do just fine. And I don´t have to run every now and then for repairs. As soon as the warning symbol shows up, I repair all of my stuff and I am ready for the next battle. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin1.gif" alt="" />
