Volfy - Nitpicking? I've seen a handful of ARFs built according to the instruction have their wings fold in flight. One time is was during a high-G pullout, but the others, it was normal banked turns. I've seen several ARF's assembled by beginners that had fuel-soaked noses because the supposed fuel-proofing wasn't fuel proof. I've seen cracked clevises because they were made out of cheap styrene instead of nylon.
The reason I hate ARF's isn't because they're ARF's. In fact, I don't hate all ARF's. What I hate is the below standard quality. Sorry, but I don't agree with what you call evidence.
If ARFs are really as terrible as you all make them out to be, then they would not be loved by the great majority of RCers, sell in record numbers and continue to grow exponentially as they have.
It's easy to make claims like this, but do you have anything to back it up? Especially the part about love and great majority? I'm not seeing that at all.