Yeah you're right because
Of the smaller screen but the same resolution the text looks better , crispier on the mini than the ipad 2( no retina) and looks almost as good as the ipad 3,4 with retina but the internals of the mini are really outdated its from ipad 2 and were on ipad 4 they could of at least put the specs of an ipad 3 in there
Considering its the "New Tablet" on the block, Apple probably said lets use what we have that works already and will fit in this smaller size.
As for the processor , me personally I think the A5 is just fine, its a mini tablet and for what they intended it to do I'm sure the A5 is a good start, even the typical Home User it's fine. Let's say that Apple release's a new model with the "A7" processor this summer or fall , with in day's people will be complaining about something else, and it needs this and should have had that
Some people are just never happy with what's available or what they have.
As for being given tablets instead of money , well IMHO the people that work there are the only one's that have a say in that, but I'd guess that there NOT complaining.