There is definitely some general upset about how Sims 4 releases are handled, in that case I do not want to invalidate your feelings on the matter, since it is a shared feeling by other players too.
I am a long time Sim player as well about 30 years since SimEarth, but I am new to Sims 4 due to lack of interest when comparing to their previous installments (I went from: Eww Sims 4, to I think I'll try it, to I almost like Sims 4 to I think I might almost love it). But the combination of RoM, V, and finally L&D convinced me to try Sims 4 (CoL and EbN won me over even more). I found I liked the occult packs split up did provide the occults to be fleshed out more, and leading to abilities tree in Sims 4 which is a great upgrade Sims 3 occults. But I am missing many many packs, try to only buy packs on sale, and for my playstyle (saving me at least some money), and heavily researched them first, wait for sales, and even asked for opinions when I am not sure.
They have set up Sims 4 much differently especially for vet players. I try to think as kits more as "store sets" similar to Sims 3 store (which I'd usually only buy on sale too), and even some stuff packs almost could be consider "store collections". So I try to only buy what I really checked out thoroughly, but still can't justify in the kits prices since they are always full prices (unlike what I was use to with the Sims 3 store), and never on sale (at least that I have seen). And from what I remembered people were also upset that many premium objects where locked to store as sets/gold editions of worlds/venues in the Sims 3 store. Also, some people felt upset that certain Sims 4 feature(s) are tied to pack(s) they are otherwise uninterested in or uninterested in the feature(s) and just want the CAS/Build/Buy.
My best recommendations are play but buy how you want to, or you could do what you are doing and trying to best express your upset and how you think it could be improved and different (use as many platforms, surveys and posts as you feel need on the conversation(s)). If neither work for you, then move on to what does make you happy. In the end you got to do what is right for you.
