I'm contemplating whether or not to join in with the beta now, but if not, I'll be a regular customer. But I'm a huge Elite fan.
The difference, it seems, is that I chose not to enter the alpha, beta, or previous phases of development because I recognise what it is. A lot of the whining players seem to be people who seem to have bought it in order to play the game early rather than to play-test an unfinished game, provide feedback and (hopefully) improve the final product. The ones who say "I didn't realise X", or "why doesn't the game play more like Y or Z?" - why not just wait until the game is out, the reviews are in, and they can then make a decision whether or not to buy the cheaper alternative? Also, the game is what the game is. Elite. Complaining that it's not like Eve or Star Citizen is as pointless as complaining that it doesn't have Ronaldo and Messi, and that the ball physics isn't right.
As for me, I don't have a huge amount of time to play games these days, so I decided to wait for the final release - although I may relent and join the beta sometime soon!