ORIGINAL: Buteos
IronCross, unless you are wealthy and can afford to constantly by new ARFs there will come a time when you want to repair one. To do so correctly you will still need to be able to build. It isn't a "Whats cheaper" but a point of having the skill and being able to do what is needed to get you back in the air. If you break a wing on an ARF you can (A) Buy a new set of wings for upwards of 75.00 or more. (B) you can take an evening, $5.00 worth of Balsa and CA, a little covering material and make the wing as new. It doesn't take a Rocket Scientist to figure that one out. In the end its far better to be able to build "Even if that is not your choice at that time" just so you know how to repair what is needed.
If you reread my post you will note I have built kits for most of my life... At least for 40 years so repair an ARF is not much of a challenge... If I was wealthy I could afford to buy the kits... As it is ARF's are much more affordable with better quality parts (fiberglass vs plastic) then kits... I don't build my own radio's, engines etc either...