Three pairs of dyes which operate as efficient energy transfer dye lasers in ethanol have been investigated to understand the dominant energy transfer mechanisms taking place in them. Special attention is given to the experimental configuration which is expected to influence the energy transfer rate constants over an order of magnitude or two. Fluorescence lifetimes have also been studied using time correlated single photon counting technique. It is found that apart from the excitation source and the concentration of dyes, the experimental configuration has a crucial role to play in determining the dominant energy transfer mechanism.