Seriously SE add an AH system!

[Skies]

But realistically you can't expect people use those other cities, I for one have never checked them for items.

You are the very reason why you can't expect people to use those other cities.
Use them yourself, first and foremost. And tell others to use them. Then, and only then, will you be able to realistically expect people to use those other cities.

And for what it's worth, at least on Excalibur, i've made all of my sales on Limsa and Gridania and personally always check both before resorting to Ul'Dah