For me, I haven't ever bought an RTF. I am not against them, but there are just too many variables that can get in the way, many of them are mentioned in the previous posts. Now...if you had an RTS (Ready to Select), then you have what I think would be a possible winner. A bare bones plane with the construction already done and ready for assembly. It would be something like when you special order a car.

1. Select the engine. (Do you want 4 stroke, 2 stroke, what size....)
2. Select the receiver. (Do you want futaba, hitec, JR...etc.)
3. Select the covering. (you could even add the option to have it come covered or do it yourself. And if covered have the option of sevral different schemes)
4. Select the servos. ( e.g. With the option to put higher torque on the control surfaces and lesser ones on the throttle.)
5. Select it with or wihout the radio.)
6. Select the channel. (Small detail, but for most who already have radios this would be needed.)
7. Select how much of the plane you want assembled.

These could be some of the options that you could have and it would meet the needs of many different flyers. From beginners who want it ready to fly, to ones who want it covered and like an ARF, to those who select the covering and do it themselves. And I gues the final selection could be:

8. Select a box of sticks ...or do you want the bare bones assembled?)

Probably a pipe dream, but wouldn't it be nice to get the plane the way you want it rather than the way someone else thinks it should be?