Wow. That's a whole new level of crazy.

F2P really means "Funds to pay"

Then again, I can't fault companies for cosmetic microtransactions (or can you unlock something else than hats?) if there's enough people paying for it. After all, they basically pay for everyone who's playing the game for free. As long as such stuff is purely cosmetic, by all means, let people pay for it if they want to.

Can't fault a business for cashing in on indiscriminate customers.

You can buy weapons and equipment. But nothing in the game is purely "better" than other things. Every weapon has pro's and con's. Some give you a 50% increased crit chance. But with a decreased ammo capacity or reload time. Or maybe you get however much bonus damage. But also damage taken is increased slightly. (those are just examples) But yeah you can "upgrade" your equipment with real money. But weapons and equipment also drop the more you play. And you can craft items and weapons too. 

At least that's how it used to be. I haven't played since the last couple of updates.

Really Valve? WTF? As if you weren't raking in enough cash already from idiots buying hats and stuff?

It's the opposite actually. So many people ARE using the market and store. That's why Valve knows they can get away with it.