I've just realised something...
In Dragonball Z it's only ever the Z Fighters (and Garlic Jr and Lord Slug) that EVER find the dragonballs or even look for them...
In Dragonball though the legend of the Dragon Balls was known by a vast amount of people, ranging from Emperor Pilaf to Demon King Picollo (although being a Namekian he would know). So over the course of a few years a centuries old legend just suddenly... vanishes! Can't help but feel that Toriyama missed out on a big opportunity there. For example if Yamcha wished for immortality he would still be a weak ass but e would live forever and could rule the universe.