Yes, Baofengs are the bottom of the barrel, but they are an excellent way to get someone into the hobby. If they decide they don't care they are out $40 instead of hundreds. I only had Baofengs for a few years and was able to join in the rag chew on the local repeater.

Fast forward a few years and I've graduated to a Kenwood in my truck and a Kenwood HT with all the bells and whistles. Are they better? Of course they are, but the UV-82HP was plenty to get started with.