The F2P model with microtransactions is the only solution that really makes sense. And it makes a lot of sense. TF2 came out in 2007, and I'm assuming it's still making money for Valve.
No, it's not the only solution that makes sense. You're applying attribution to it that it hasn't earned. TF2 is an entirely different game. TF2 is playing against other players, where these stat bonuses actually can matter.
So for everyone quoting Almir saying the game wouldn't have microtransactions, that's entirely true of Payday 2 then. But that model was not supposed to last until 2017. The game's life has been artificially lengthened, and Overkill needs to find ways to keep their lights on while they continue to add content.
No, the quote actually says "NEVER. God No." That's quite different than "true of Payday 2 then." You're attempting to give them an out. They earned good will with PDTH. They have destroyed that good will with the way they've handled their community (even since the beginning of PD2). Almir, arguably the worst PR person of the bunch, is now virtually the only one left of the original team interacting with the public.
This is all my opinion though. I don't know what goes on over there, I'm just trying to think about this in the context of what we know for certain.
The problem is that we don't know what's going on "for certain." You see, when someone lies to you once it really makes you think, "What else would they lie to me about? What else have they lied to me about?" It doesn't matter if they're telling you the truth, why wouldn't they lie to you now if you let them get away with it before? This is a natural human reaction to being deceived. It's unfortunate that those who did the original deceiving can't see this. There are ways to come back from this (and from lying); however, ignoring the problem and pretending the issue is with the other party (the community in this particular situation) isn't the way to go about it. It not only makes you look like you're playing the victim but makes you look petty and vindictive.
Overkill is acting like a abusive partner. They're lying to you, making promises that they don't intend to keep, and pretending that you're the one who's at fault... Well, you are at fault of one thing: letting them walk over you for as long as you have.