This reminds me of "TERA", about some RNG boxes added to "cash shop" while it was P2P. the forum generated hundreds of pages, the so outrage RNG desire item still went on sale, but community received an apology and EME promise not to do it again....Few month later game went F2P.
Not saying FF14 is on the same situation as their subscription numbers/population I see seem pretty healthy. But I wold much rather let this "convenience" retainers go on sale and let SE generate more revenue to improve the game/faster content than allow F2P. if this game ever goes F2P, all hope is lost for P2P MMORPGS and will be the last MMO I will play.

The Choice:
A: Allow SE to generate more revenue by selling non-balance breaking items/Fantasia/retainer (the auto gathering concerns me, guess have to wait for 2.2 retainer features)
B: Further push the idea of F2P (different thread on this matter) on Yoshi P's mind.