Like it or not, other people's opinions help form our own opinion. If someone points out something on a machine that is horrible, and several others agree it influences us. It's human nature, and tangibly affects the price of a machine in the resale market. It becomes more of an influence for people new to the hobby but really effects everyone to a certain degree. Anyone who says other people's opinions doesn't effect them is either lying or delusional.
On the other hand, I would have paid a lot more for my current line up (Hobbit, XMen LE and Ghostbusters) if they were universally loved (like say Woz, Tron and Metallica) instead of unfairly bashed.