This "merc" was never an issue anyways. There are at least 3(or more? I don't remember) thread on FFXIAH from vet players offering help for new players to gear up for free, with dozens of people replied with "I can help too" in the thread. There are also a dozen of people that I know of, would also help for free if you send them tell in game.
So yeah, if you are a new player on Asura and you can't find one single veteran player help you gear up, I question if you really tried.
I feel that a lot of the "I hate merc" threads here are just hating because they are biased toward merc emotionally, or if they really evidence to prove it as an issue in the community.