Lewsbel, I hear ya. I've been annoyed (in print) at thieving's implementation since BG1 first appeared. I think the penalty for capture is entirely out of proportion with the crime, and that shoplifting should be generic (rather than item-specific) until you reach a very high level in both skill and profession. I could handle that. Any thief I play could handle it, too.
That said, given the enormous amount of money you get in the game, I still don't see what's wrong with just simply buying the stuff you want. If anything, it makes for a greater challenge and a greater sense of accomplishment. Surely the game is so well known, now, that anything which lends an extra level of difficulty is welcome.