How do you loot?

I always collect gold, lockpicks, keys and arrows/bolts, no matter how little damage they do and how many I already have (just in case). It doesn't hurt to collect items that don't weight anything, you never know when you'll need them.

Weapons, robes and armor: Early in the game, when I'm broke, I collect everything I can carry if it has any value (if I'm close to being overencumbered, I sort them by value-for-weight). Later on, I'll only take it if it's really valuable or rare, or if it has an enchantment that I don't already know (this one is probably my priority). If I have an armory with lots of mannequins, I'll occasionally take a common armor of little value (like a Forsworn armor with a headdress), but only if it looks good on display.

Gems and jewelry: Pretty much always. I'll even take inexpensive jewelry (such as silver rings) if I'm leveling my enchanting skills.

Soul gems: Always.

Amulets: It depends on the value. If I have more than four (three for making shrines and one for me to possibly use sometime), I might pick it up depending on value or how good it looks when displayed.

Alchemy ingredients: Always. If I don't need them or if I've already leveled up my alchemy skill, I'll store them in one of my houses.

Potions: Only if I think I'll use them or if I sell them for a decent amount of money.

Decorative items: If I like them, definitely.

Smithing materials: If I'm leveling my Smithing skill and if I can carry it, yes. Otherwise I'll just take what I need. If I need money, I'll take ores, even the cheap ones, and transmute them.

I don't buy, and sell, so my priorities are stuff I can use, or give to my follower at the time. It really depends most on my character at the time, but this is one of the primary ways I prime Radiant for the stuff I want. If you loot/use something with a specific enchantment (or broader type, I've noticed specializing in Absorb Stamina for example tends to favor Absorb Stat enchants instead of any specific ones...) The game eventually gets a feel for what you like, and seed containers with that type of loot.

if it's not nailed down in the beginning it comes with me for sale, then after I have some gold I use the 1:25 rule. and a mixture of everyone's ideas as and when, but "shinney trinckett for my good lady" well who can resist a circlet or two......