I don't know, if I watch a film once in the theatre, it will cost more than a stuff pack. If you bundle the content during a sale, you aren't necessarily paying the sticker price. I really have no problem with stuff packs. I don't think they come at the expense of gameplay.
I'd get really bored if I had all the same objects, clothes and styles over and over again, not because of a lack of gameplay but because I'd get bored of the same visuals on repeat. Some of the packs add minor amounts of gameplay that can liven up a space. I actually send sims bowling quite a lot or to watch a film or in warm weather to play on a water slide if they have the right backyard for it.
I'm not a cheerleader all the time but I am when I think it's a needed perspective. Anyway, I don't think it needs to be a case of "stuff vs. gameplay". Yes, I want more gameplay as much as anyone, though some of us might want different types.
As for TS3, I have no issue with it but it was a different era for me. I used to get SPs for the other versions back in the day when I wanted to. I'm not bashing people who still play that game. I just don't think that everything needs to be a repeat of TS3.