I use whatever is fit for the job. If I want simplicity, I use LWP::Simple. If I need to fill out forms, I use WWW::Mechanize. If I need to connect to a busy server or through a flaky network and I need retries, I use wget. If I need something, and LWP isn't available, lynx might do the job as well. Or ftp, or ncftp. If it's being done using FTP, and I need to do something more fancy than retrieving a document, I use Net::FTP. If I want to recursively download something, or continue a partially downloaded file, I use wget. If I want to retrieve something, and display it immediately, system "mozilla URL" might do the trick, or I use the remote control functionality of a running browser. If I need to be really fancy, I use LWP::UA. And for debugging, I might use "telnet host 80" from the command line.

I've used all of the methods I mentioned above. As with most programming techniques, it's a matter of finding the right trade-off between simplicity of the interface, your needs, your knowledge/experience of the tool, offered functionality and availability. It's a fallacy to think one tool is "better" than the other. A carpenter isn't going to say "I've a hammer and a screwdriver - why have both?" either.