I don't think the majority signed up to play "semi-realistic-not-really crafting simulator". Give me my piss easy item repairs which shouldn't even be in game in the first place so I can get out and actually do things.
I cant recall a time where the repair system actually prevented me from doing anything. Maybe i dont play near as much as you, but i've only even had a single instance where my sword was so bad off that i had to tele into town to fetch my repair mats