I wouldn't say "dumb", Storm. They're more of a luxury item and status symbol. Crafters on Lake Austin can't keep them, or the ropes to charge them with, in stock on vendors.
Think of it like a dog-walking service. One doesn't HAVE to hire someone to walk your dog, you can do it yourself. However, spending the money on one carries a statement all its own.
Besides, a lot of the buyers remember the "bad old days" where someone could kill your pet before you could stable it (even after bonding came in, could still happen for unbonded pets). With the continuing invasions of cities, it can be safer to gate an unbonded pet to a home, and stable it with the post, then take it to a town only to find that there's a Crimson or horde of red NPC spawn there to kill it before you can get it to the stable (pets don't appear stealthed in the gates, like players do).
There's also the aspect for home defense in Fel.
