I don't know... In Oblivion, by the time you could by any of the unique weapons you could either find are make ones better.
Dude, they we're unique. You can have an enchanted blah-de-flunk.... Or you could have a piece of UNIQUEness. ie, shops sold useful things. If not for anything else, than for collectors.
Also, the Akavari Warblade i got at level six, it was my boss stick for the next 15 levels. I couldn't find or make anything as good. Especially since i wasn't guilding it up mage status.