Hussar
Legend
And yet? The vast majority of players disagree with you and will use spells over mundane means far more often than not./snip
It's rarely better to use magic than just have the PC who can do it by non-magical means do it.
Even the Dev's have pretty much admitted it by removing background abilities and replacing them with feats. Why? Because they know that the feats will actually get used at the table and that the DM won't block them.
After all, I can't use sailor background because reasons. I can't use my criminal background because reasons. I can't use peasant hero background because I'm apparently not wearing the appropriate clothing... On and on.
Let's not forget here. We're discussing BACKGROUNDS. Bringing up a bunch of times when skills will work instead of spells isn't relevant to the conversation. Bringing up a bunch of times when spells don't work when there aren't any mundane options is irrelevant. All this smoke and mirrors trying to cloud the issue at hand isn't relevant and isn't helping the conversation.
There evidence is pretty clear that mundane abilities are the last resort for groups that lack the option to do something else.
But, don't take my word for it. Actually watch your group over the next few sessions. Note how many times they resort to magic vs using mundane options. My prediction is that they will opt for the magic option far more often than the mundane given the choice.