Reflashing is the equivalent of Windows reinstallation in case of bugging issues; a quick but unnecessary fix IMHO. Whereas under Windows it's sometimes needed because of the relatively closed structure and missing tools, i don't see the need for in such cases as mentioned above.
I'd never reflashed my device in almost 12 months now, despite some really tempting troubles (the mrxvt/roxterm thread regarding missing xterm, f.e.).

Almost all can be fixed by dpkg, the rest with apt; often you have to force some options but you'll really learn to keep your system in control without having to rely on just one brute-force solution that to some degree always risks your data.