I've never had this problem.

Maybe it's because I look at things from a "DM with powergamers" perspective. Whenever I get a new sourcebook, I read it, but the first thing I read is all the mechanics. And I ask myself, "How will this impact my game?" I find about 1 in 4 combos before the boards do, and a few the boards don't, here and there.

After I see the mechanics, I figure WHERE that class/feat/ability would be in my game. Then I put it there. Then, and only then, do I look at the fluff, and, if it doesn't match my concept? I change it, unless it looks really good.

Note how I didn't read the "advice". I figure my opinion is as good as anyone's, and they're never going to actually put one of the twisted power combos my players will try to find (academic exercise, mostly) in that section, nor will it impact the fluff. I've got a good notion of playing most classes anyway, so it's not a big deal.