Quote Originally Posted by RhaegarFFXIFenrir View Post
I worked for my gear. I can't even utilize it to its fullest extent without having someone else step in and provide some service.
No, you don't need someone else to step in. You are fully able to level the crafts yourself. Count it as working for your gear if you will. Now, this could be required, but there is actually an option for someone else to do that for you. Not to mention the gear is totally usable even without it.