I have had ARFs that are more challenging to assembly than kits.  I prefer kits for planes that I intent to fly for years and are larger in size. That said, I like 40 sized or EP ARFs that I don't have a lot invested in and don't worry about losing them to accidents.  Some ARFs have no instructions and parts don't fit well so assembly is often difficult and I can see why some would consider them to be "kits".