On Lens Rentals, Sony is much appreciated for their clean, elegant design - but this is partly cost reduction at the expense of ruggedness.
For me, it would be difficult to regain my trust after the A7's mount blunder.
OTOH I think you're spot on, many would rather have the features than build quality - and even build quality is often seen as a disadvantage (think: weight).
As a side story, a bit ago on a Romanian forum infested by Canon users
each time someone mentioned Pentax' weather sealing (no affordable alternative back then!) someone would say how he dropped his non-WR Canon in a river and it was just fine.
(Just to be clear, because of history and whatever: no relation with anyone present.)