SE, Please fix this FC exploit

[Kalandros]

Its difficult to...
have any respect for people giving such "official responses"

Honestly, the system is flawed, many core systems in ffxiv are backwater and in desperate need of SIMPLE updates.

This is one such example. There is no reason someone should be allowed to promote to a higher rank than they are or even to equal rank, this is basic guild system stuff - this is the only game I know where this stupid situation can occur.

Limiting the use of the ability to promote could have negative implications for users that are using the feature legitimately (for example, if a leader has left, and a new one needs to be appointed)

This is a real joke. If that is what this 'feature' of the promote function was for, then whoever thought it up should be reassigned.
In any other game, again, basic guild stuff - the leader cannot leave without assigning a new leader - giving up his position and being allowed to leave.

How hard is this to understand?

Come on, stop wasting people's time with poor excuses of blatant flaws in the system.

Squenix needs to get this through their heads and also create a proper GM system that is both accessible and actually helpful.

Blizzard did this.
Issue with items? Resolved!
Let yourself get hacked? Restoration is done.
Lost entire guild bank to untrustworthy member? All items restored and the thief is punished (with undisclosed info of course - all items are most likely retrived, any gold made from selling, removed and possible suspension to permanent ban depending on track record)