The idea of removing materia melding from crafting is ridiculous and honestly utterly stupid. I've never once known a crafter that expects a tip or payment to meld, if you ask them ahead of time, and have the catalyst/materia yourself. If they have to supply one/both things though, then yes, they deserve the payment of it. If you don't want to ask someone to do so, level your own crafters up, it's not that hard.