You are correct that there is a big difference in cost but only a moderate/small difference in stats between the two sets. If those were the only end game options, then one could possibly justify the crafted equipment in the sense of: It *IS* the best, it costs a LOT more than anything else for only a little more.. but.. what else am I going to do?
However, there is gear (Relic AF/AF2/etc.) that is even better than the best crafted. So one could argue that it is more profitable to get the final AF2 equipment than it is to spend time getting the crafted equipment, as the crafted would be 'quickly' replaced by something even better.
Me, as it stands.. I would not go for the crafted equipment... and I'm a crafter who would normally craft that equipment >.>;
