Yeah, not being able to upgrade my gear is a pretty big set back.

But i may try that crystal selling thing, since i have right around 2-3k shards and crystals sitting in my inventory.

I honestly thought about just selling everything i farmed for and then buying gear, but even at that, i can never find any gear under level 24 from the random people i see sitting around Ul'dah. Is there some specific place i can go to look at bazaars or retainers with bazaars in Ul'dah?