As for not connecting the rope to the block, that would add expense to the block compared to the simple plate that they supply. I rather doubt that they were unaware of the issue -- whatever I tend to think of their general practices of making cheap crap,

Does not involve any extra expense and can be done in a few minutes as I have exactly the same kind of blocks on mine, which I also had to convert.
The cleat is simple fastened to the centre of the top block bolt , or the centre of the bottom block bolt, dependent on whether it is an odd or even number of sheaves.
The other Very critical thing on mine was replacing the pulley bolts as in post #6.

 

I agree that they've made one pulley useless. As for the why, I can only speculate, of course, but it is likely just a simple matter of economics.

It would seem a lot more economical to omit the pulley all together if cost was an issue.
I firmly believe it is a flawed design driven by an ignorance of basic mechanics.
I have never come across this in a European or N.A. made product of the same nature.
They have always utilized the total number of pulleys. !!