They have a toy poodle, and the snow is often higher than he is. The pad training isn't to later train them to go outside only...lol it's to train them where to go if they are to go inside. As I said, he does both (outside in good weather, inside during shitty weather.)
There is a point to the pads if you don't mind having them go inside.
[edit] I am also not suggesting everyone has to pad train the dog, I am giving an alternate solution to their problem. I was arguing against you because you claim going in the house is "100% unacceptable", which may be true for you, but nearly not for everyone.