I'm not denying that are problems (there's tons of them) but I wouldn't go as far as saying that crafting is completely useless.[/QUOTE]

I'm more speaking from my sever standpoint where multiple people like myself have there crafts maxed. Why would a new person need to level crafts when a simple shout can get it done most if not all crafters will meld your relic for free.
Food is more or less worthless.
Fishing has lost all value and even mining and botanist seems like a big Meh.
Might not be useless but the give FAR exceeds the gain.