Well I do use RPGMaker, I have the latest incarnation of RPG Maker VX Ace (which is MILES above the past offerings in terms of flexibility). I think the problem lies with people assuming that the quickly hobbled together amateur games are the EXTENT of what can be done on the tool and it's simply not true. I've seen people here comment it's really only good for making like Final Fantasy IV style RPGs but I think that's only if you neglect the capacity of the eventing and scripting system it uses. There are admittedly limitations to it, it is a 2D engine, and coding anything like a 3D Engine or a Multiplayer option in it, while probably possible to some degree, is way more trouble than it's worth.
I will however say and STAND by the assertion that RPGMaker can make a game that's quality is equal or better than ANY 2D RPG period, it's not a limitation of the system, it's limited solely by the person/team using it.
Look at some of the top 2D RPGs:
Chrono Trigger
Final Fantasy VI
Earthbound
Suikoden II
Wild ARMs
Secret of Mana
Dragon Quest V
Harvest Moon
All of these are possible to make in RPGMaker, though some may understandably be frustrated that it's not an "out of the box" experience for everything. In the RPGMaker Community I've seen awesome scripts that do things like pixel-by-pixel movement, active time battle systems, even action battle systems, first person dungeons (IE: Lands of Lore, Ultima), etc.
Much of this stuff can even be done without touching the scripting system and just using events.
Many people I am sure just get the program, use the base assets and cobble together a quick indie game and throw it out there, nothing wrong with that but I understand why most wouldn't consider that a commercial quality game. I see absolutely no reason why this tool in the right hands can't make amazing first rate commercial games.
The ONLY serious difference I see between this engine and others out there is the ease of which one can get into development. As of right now there are at least 8 RPGMaker Engine Games on Steam, one of which uses the default graphics that come with the game, and it's still awesome because it really shows some of things the engine in capable of (Last Dream).
If people don't like the engine that's fine, don't play the games, if people do like it but don't want to pay money for it, that's fine, there's hundreds of free RPGMaker games out there to try. I don't see the point in hating every game made with a specific engine but I guess I sort of understand it happens and isn't limited to just these kind of engines. People to this day still call Fallout 3 "Oblivion with Guns" simply for re-using the same engine.
My advice: If you want to make a retro-style 2D RPG then I would seriously recommend RPG Maker as an option, it is not the ONLY option, other RPG Making Software exists (EasyRPG, RPG Toolkit, etc.) but the tool is only limited by how much work you want to put in.