Just a guess, but I think the people who stop reading a series after a relaunch are the Wednesday Warriors with big pull lists they're always looking to trim. From a newer reader's perspective WOLVERINE #1 looks like a great book to buy - to a reader who reads 10 books a week and comics blogs, not so much. No matter what the #s say, it seems like a new reader strategy, which is something I'm all for.
I believe that there is a lot of truth in what you say.