The plan builder offerings weren't usually very good, while sometimes providing less features for more money than a Ready-made plan. The main thing, in my opinion, are the LTE options.
The plan builder offerings *were* really good, always kept updated with all the discounts in pre-built plans and promos. Plus overall value if you wanted to get more of something while not paying more for something else. But that was a long time ago.
You're probably remembering the plan builder after it had been neglected, de-emphasized, and deliberately undermined. It did indeed offer poor value in its final days, it seems evident PM wanted to discard it but couldn't do so (didn't dare) until it became unappealing enough to fall into general disuse. People don't buy premade plans when they can build better ones themselves, and PM/Telus wants people to buy premade plans which fall neatly into place vs competitor plans (makes the math easier for managerials).
