*looks*
I find myself wrestling with my more Jaded nature here. I can understand the idea of having a system of depth and enjoyment for those attracted to it. But one without enough attractive features can be harmful to the game as a whole in more ways, as you'll just get a few select people abusing crafting material prices or intentionally flooding the market.
Having a retainer who, after an ample amount of investment, can say, bring some meterials for a guy working two jobs and having about enough time to raid before he goes to bed for the next double shift, it helps them not fall so far behind in the other parts of the game he simply can't play.
Over all it feels too knee-jerky of a reaction to call fowl at giving the Retainer more functions than simply storing and selling stuff. And at least with 'legal botting' there can be a level of control given to the amount of worth one gets out of using this function.
Feeling passionate about something is usually the incorrect course of action when trying to mull it over logically.
