No one is forcing people to buy the gear that you can purchase via cruor. If jobs/levels that can acually equipt it rather buy it then purchase it themselves through the cruor system that is their decision/loss. You gained the cruor, you should be able to spend it as you wish.
Some of the notable inflation i've seen has been on consumables (food, ninja tools, bolts, ect) and over priced synergry crafted items. (in which case you just don't buy them) As far as augmented weapons go, I'm glad you can NPC them if you get a disappointing augment. Besides, if people are only punished by taking chances when they don't work out ( Hi FoV augments) No one will want to do them anymore. Looking forward to the new augmenting system.
Other inflation is on low level gear. Most of us who have played for years know what matters, what we do and don't need. I feel bad for the first time players. If I came into this game not knowing anyone and couldn't purchase simple things off the AH or an NPC because of that inflation, thats no incentive to keep playing if you can't even achieve the basics or if everything just feels too far out of reach. Its also turning into "All we have to do in this game is get to 30 and then leech" and that is not what FFXI is about.
Maybe things will get slightly better with the AH merger, But I'd like to see a Rare-EX NPC added that sells gear and weapons in the starting towns (with reasonable prices) At least one NPC for a melee class, and one for mages. and adjustments on scroll prices in NPC shops.
A weekly lottery would be sweet, but since they take such care in picking numbers its unlikely unless they develop a new system for it, like something through M.H.M.U.