I want to post here what I wrote in another thread, in response to a post by Dreamer. I hope she doesn't mind me quoting her.

Quote Originally Posted by Chezen View Post
Quote Originally Posted by Dreamer View Post
The current market wards can be fixed - they simply suffer from the same lack of polish that we see in the rest of the game. What people want is speed and convenience, and it's much easier to streamline the current system for speed and convenience than it is to implement an entirely new system.

People don't understand that there is so much more that can be done with the current system than a traditional house. Ever notice that our retainers have levels? The system seems to be set up in such a way as to allow for further expansion. Imagine being able to sort your retainers wares into different categories for easy browsing. The current unused retainer levels could be utilized to modify transaction fees, or even make it so that your company members pay a reduced rate. Imagine being able to set your retainer up with the necessary materials and then place him or her in the Mender's Ward to offer repairs using your own DoH skillset.

Imagine that once your retainer reaches a certain level, your stalls are upgraded to full storefronts that can hold both retainers and offer better customization and name recognition services (I would love to be able to put up a giant banner in front of my stall to let everyone know that the Ardarose Bakery is open for business).

Could you do most of the above with a traditional auction house? Sure. But the market ward lends itself to these types of expansions more naturally, and it's far more likely to happen if they don't have to spend the time to create a new auction house system from scratch.

Like pretty much everything in this game, the market wards DO have potential. I'd much rather see them try their hand with something uniue and potentially more engaging than the systems we already know and are most familiar with.
From the interviews on youtube and my own observations, it's been clear to me that the devs are trying to create a semi-realistic and completely immersive fantasy world. I'm not saying they have been completely successful at it so far, but some people really are too stuck on mmo fastfood to see it. There are some people who really are here to play the DoH and DoL, and, especially if what Dreamer suspects is true, the market wards are especially for them. Those of a battle nature have an expansive world (under construction) to go fight. Those of a crafting nature will have a market to use their imagination with. Is it fair to demand an AH just because it's inconvenient to you?

That being said, I understand the point everyone has about overcrowding, and I do think it's a problem. But I'm more inclined to think that they have further designs in mind to deal with that, than that that they just didn't consider it altogether.

Se is embarking into unknown territory. There is bound to be some bumps, and even major upsets along the way. But I'm along for the ride. Watching this new mmo unfold will be an adventure in itself.