They are mostly a shortcut between zones.
I love having that shortcut.
Also the base leader does not get your money the people with base construction rights do.
What they need now is something that peaks the SG bases above certain zones.
I would like to see a terminal or something where you can auction stuff straight from base.
You could store/buy/invent in one room and if you have good members you can swap salvage and recipies easier since when you want to do that most of you would be in the same spot.