Quote Originally Posted by Dreamer View Post
The difference is that going to the retainer to make the purchase serves an important purpose. Let's say you just hit level 34 and decide it's time to replace some of your old gear. You start by searching for a Velveteen Beret. After finding the lowest price currently listed, you port in and find the proper retainer. Luckee! The retainer actually has a full set of Velveteen for sale at a good price. Oh, and there's a nice looking Con staff as well....

The benefit of wards is that it allows us to operate like actual stores, instead of a mish mash of buy and sell orders. There's also the possibility of name recognition as well. If you find yourself frequently buying lumber from that one Ardarosemarket retainer in Gridania, eventually you'll recognize the name.

Wards are also more immersive than a traditional AH. They function like the bazaars we would see in a fantasy setting, and while I realize that immersion isn't important to some, it is to me.

Finally, the Wards/Retainer system has the possibility of having more depth than an AH, should they choose to expand on it. Imagine custom stall signs, retainers that have levels that have an impact on how many items you can sell and the amount you pay in taxes, a way to place a buy order with your retainer that doesn't involve needing the item in your inv, and more. There really are a lot of possibilities with the system.
Remind me again how that kind of functionality can't be replicated in a system where the shops aren't physically rendered and cramped together in small dungeons?