Its the sign of the times we live in. No time, No Space, the need for instant gratification.
Arfs and RTF's are definitly the way that 99% of beginers are getting started. Read the forums, its really hard to find a post where someone built their trainer from a kit. And why is that? Cause overall Quality of ARFS are good and getting better and thanks to labor costs in the asias, costs are keeping down.

What I would like to see is a modified arf. One that came with HIGH Quality, Awesome power engine installed, high quality Rx, battery pack and servos installed. Basically you would just have to pick your crystal out before you left the store to match your radio.

I kind of like tinkering with my planes though, after all its a hobby and what fun is a hobby that is already done for you?