"they exist because it’s the status quo of corporate structure"
This is circular which may have been your point, but do you have a theory as to how they originated?
Lots of people's best defense against doorstep scams (and predatory salespeople) is not to open the door. I always open the door because I can easily fend off such people.
As it happens my street has a confusing layout which means I get lost food drivers at least twice per month. It only takes a moment to direct them to the right house.