Hunts aren't ruining anything. I just started my alt and its now on its third week of soldiery. So no matter what I can only upgrade items based on that which is locked with a weekly cap. Even on my main I am now at the point where I can only upgrade one more item and then I'm soldiery locked already. So even if you could get 10 bazillion sands and oils, it eventually just boils down to getting your couple pieces done and then glamour items. Whoopty doo.