They get f**** because they store their NEM on exchanges and rely on exchange allocations or allowances to deposit, withdrawal.
If they opt in in their accounts, they can move their claimed Symbol to any lively exchanges. Many exchanges to trade Symbol.
What you argued can be used to talk about DeFi too. Are DeFi tokens better than NEM or Symbol?
I do agree that this is partially the fault of these people. BUT the NEM Group stated that they are working closely with exchanges in the BETA phase of Symbol to enable them to smoothly integrate the wallet. Sounded like everything will be available directly after Snapshot because the NEM Group was working really closely the the exchanges. This turned out to be completely bullshit as always when the NEM Group/Foundation or whatever they are called in this iteration promises stuff.
The whole snapshot thing barely worked and there where a lot of misinformation floating around mainly because of unclear or lacking communication from the NEM Group.
As for NEM literally every other Blockchain is better than this steaming pile of shit. Old tech, very slow and a complete ghost town with no projects using it whatsoever. Symbol has much better tech but marketing wise they are failing as hard as before.