The fallacy is that these transactions have to be financial.

They don't. Any number of other remedies - from jail time downwards - would provide a stronger deterrent.

Without strong deterrents and the threat of even more expensive class action - possibly leading to personal ruin - individual losses can be written off as a cost of doing business.

Generally the sanctions for bad behaviour are far too light, and strongly biased towards business owners over customers/victims.

The Sackler/Purdue story is a perfect example. Inconceivable levels of harm were caused - far more harm than a high profile terrorist attack. But the Sackler family is still worth billions. And no one is going to jail.

A formal written complaint prior to filing for abitration might have been equally effective. Incentivizing escalation simply drives up the costs of resolving disputes.