Why so mad?

[Shmi]

How is it "capricious"?

You're assuming that there's only one money-sink ever in the game to "fix" this game's economy. Both that assumption and server-variable housing prices are contrary to every mmo... EVER. What other games do is offer the fixed range of housing costs on all servers. On "rich" servers many more of the fanciest properties are sold, but folks of average means can still afford housing.

Look at free-to-play games and the kinds of things you see in the cash shop. Rare cosmetics (including mounts), and convenience items lead the way. The key to draining excess money from the economy is a variety of such sinks.

Housing shouldn't be trivial to get on one server and insurmountable on another.

My point exactly. My FC could afford a house on a cheap server, but not on Excalibur.