Photoetch Parts - What's the Point?

I totally hear you on this. This is usually a personal decision as we all know that most people (other than other modelers) aren't going to appreciate the detail (my wife is always supportive, and I'm always supportive of her scrapbooking). I just spent an extra $50 US to fully detail a B-17G and the vast majority of the details (internal) will never be seen or appreciated. Of course, to make me feel better I take pictures of the interiors to go with the model. Of course, no one appreciates the photos either, so...
I do have left over parts-sometimes. Usually this is because of a different version of the model. For example if you are doing an M4 early compared to an M4A1, you might use the Aber M4 (all M4's) update PE, but will have leftover parts based on the specific version you are making.

I can now say I know what you mean, I'm building the ACE 1/72 AF Guardian which comes with PE detail for the cockpit and a few other bits. This is my first attempt at doing a PE cockpit but I'm doing it because it came with the kit and there is almost no detail without it. While I had planned on using the whole kit sanity and a desire not to sleep on the couch caused me to cut back to only what I will be able to see, I just could not see going through the stress of trying to put in all the hair like throttle controls and such in. I must say though the actual gauge cluster and seat belts were pretty cool, I could definately go for that in a 1/48 P40 with the canopy left open.

i never used PE before but i know where your coming from. thats why i take a lot of pics of my models mainly through construction

Sounds to me like your quesiton should be, "Why waste time detailing what can't be seen?", a question that does come up frequently here in the forums.
There are usually two types of answers to that question: "I'll know it's there" or "I don't do it." Really, it just depends on what you want to do, whether you like to use PE or not.

Concerning the extra, unexplained parts in your Eduard PE set, I've never experienced that, so I'd have to say it's not normal. Perhaps you are missing a page or two of the instruction sheet?

I think it's a question of scale.

I'm just completing a 1/72 Fw190, with a CMK resin & PE cockpit. Most of it will never be seen, even with the cockpit open, so I though what the hell, and didn't bother with the PE rudder pedals. No one will ever notice, and it keeps me a little saner, note only a little.

For me the best PE parts are still things like seat belts and instrument panels as these add a huge amount to a model without being so tiny that you tweezerpult them all over the floor.

Karl

leave the canopy(s) open so that whoever views the model will be drawn to the detail you put into it

....misery loves company genj53john......
it's certainly normal for me.......& i suspect for others as well.....

my wife's usual comments are.........."oh, that's nice........"
gggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr