Discussing plugins is good , but will not always come to a solution for everyone.
One person may like waves plugins, another would not..
You say that :
Those who dismiss them generally don't have a clue about good plugins !
I do not agree there, it all comes to the taste and how you hear the sound is processed
and what you are able to listen for.
Also the knowledge how to use em, and what to adjust to get a better result.
If you don't know how to use an EQ, and what to listen for, any EQ would do anyway.
the same goes for Compressors etc.