I think a good compromise can be made if the following adjustments are made to the current system:

* Allow the search function to show NQ, +1, +2 and +3 items
* Allow retainers to seek for items that a player does not currently own- probably through the item search counter and assigning it to their retainer that way
* Display of price history, e.g. last ten set prices by different retainers for an item and the retainer names
* Possibly simplifying the item search function itself; rather than by each ward possibly just by item categories- food, ingredients, armour >> legs, hands, feet etc and list armour and weapon types in ascending or descending rank order. Maybe still showing something in the heading as to which market ward these types of items should be sold in- or scrap the specific wards and tax players a certain % regardless, especially as some people are petitioning for more ways to “sink gil”
* When marking a retainer, maybe giving some system message to the player as to the retainer name and ward location for the bazaar that you want to look at
* Allow purchase of goods directly from the item search counter into your inventory, or a designated collection point outside like a delivery box
* Have two tabs in the item search window that you can switch between- retainers selling the item and retainers seeking the item
* A separate search for retainers seeking repairs (?)

This way players still utilize the wards to put up their retainers for selling items in their bazaar, seeking repairs, exchanging items etc so not rendering them defunct, and people that want to browse (or “window shop”) can still go through wards and look at all of the goods a retainer may have up for sale.

Players will be able to have access to some form of pricing history and the ability to purchase items from the search counter immediately, rather than having to mark up the retainer, go to the relevant ward and then make the purchase.