They suck for me I should say. I can't build Trapezius size without compound lifts. Cleans work well for me especially. If I just did shrugs(which some say is the core of their trap routine), I would be lacking severely in that area. Shrugs are just a shaping lift imo. Similar to pec-dec for chest, or Extensions for Quads. I do know guys who have killer traps though who only do shrugs. What I'm saying, is that that in no way is a reflection of their use as a basic mass builder, but rather on that persons superior genetics in that muscle reigon.