I seem to have the opposite issue. The newspaper is painfully slow, and I only see eggs etc 99% of the time now. When I see a better item the people who received the refresh sooner have bought it all. I am basically playing without the newspaper now. Even my own items advertised are not selling to non-neighbors for the most part. I think a 60 sec refresh or so might be a good compromise.
I agree that we are used to instant gratification, but I only see 14 ads per refresh on my iPhone not the 42 ads per refresh that others see on an iPad. That puts me at a very big disadvantage. I had a fighting chance with the way the paper used to work (fast refresh rate & delayed refresh rate). I just have to ignore the paper buying & selling with this new 3 minute, or whatever it is now, refresh rate.
I love the game, and I think the chances to earn diamonds in game are very fair unlike many other games. I also like using GC for invites as I do not use Facebook at all. The trees & bushes are not an issue for me. I buy the fruit from friends or harvest what I can before a replant. I think that is completely reasonable. Perhaps they can charge 5 diamonds for a permanent revive of each bush or tree?
Oh well the smelter either needs to be quicker or the bars worth a lot more! Same goes for the jam maker, but those are minor nuisances as well.
PS Anyone notice blue hats worth 93 are now worth 60?