I'm almost always a "straight to the amp" kind of player. Having said that, I do own some cool (to me!) pedals. Even though I may not use them often, I do like having them for when I do want to get my stomp on. So to answer the video dude's hypothesis (I didnt watch the video), I don't think boutique pedals are a ripoff.
For example, I got a batch of pedals from Alf Hermida many years ago. I loved them all, but I fell in love with the Zendrive 2. Yeah, it was booteek, but the care that went into the circuit, and the tone was unbelievable. If you aren't familiar, the Zen2 is an updated version of his amazing Zendrive. The Zen2 uses a 12AX7 tube for a warmer distortion sound. The tube that Alf used WAS A MULLARD 12AX7!!!
Likewise, I have an Analogman King of Tone that I waited over 2 years to get. Once I figured out how to dial it in, the KoT KILLS! Yeah, it's boutique, but I don't know of another pedal that does what the KoT does as well.
My last example brushes up against what the video bitcher was complaining about. As some of you may know, I'm really quite a hack guitar player. But when I'm able, I like to attend open blues jams. Standard protocol is that you have to plug into the house band's amp, although some will allow you to bring a pedal. There's NO WAY I'd bring my Klon Centaur to plug into, because I don't take my good gear out where it can get damaged or stolen. So after reading a lot of reviews, I bought an Electro Harmonix Soul Food. If you aren't familiar, it's a $60 Klon clone from a very mainstream pedal maker. I just got it from my local GC. I took it out of the box, and it was DOA. While I now realize I should have taped myself ranting about how awful EHX and GC are, I simply drove back to GC and swapped it for another.
Moral of my story is that boutique pedals can certainly be "worth it"...though I'd have trouble spending $2000 for a Klon at today's prices. But jackwagons like the video "reviewer" need to grow up and give a company a chance to stand behind their product. My guess is that he got it secondhand from eBay or TGP, and didn't qualify for a warranty.