It's time to reevaluate the idea of adding a PLEX/Chronoscroll-like system to FFXIV

[Gilraen]

Actually... even though it's not expressly stated, we DO have PLEX now. They are called Time Cards, cost $30 and the codes are easily traded via /tell. "But that's a tangible thing and people could easily scam you." This is true of PLEX trading. Especially if done through a contract (i.e. player to player trading). You also have people 'monetizing' the wedding rings, last I heard the $20 ring was going for around 2-3 million gil. Or was that the $10 ring... Either way, money-to-gil methods exist that are entirely player run. This is what Square is trying to avoid, player-based economies. You can see that in how all the best gear is gained by participating in content. EVE is the opposite, almost in entirety. Players run EVE, end to end almost, and making sure it stays player-run CCP instituted methods of monetizing time. This helps keep the EVE economy squarely in player hands.

The only reason to have more time on your account in XIV, though... is more time and veteran rewards that are locked to the account they are gained on making them unmarketable (except that one painting whose value has tanked because it's a furnishing). There is also the fact that you NEED a subscription to even play whereas in EVE you can play for your entire life without ever subscribing. The makes time in EVE profitable while in XIV it's just time on top of time you've paid for already.

[Magis]

Actually... even though it's not expressly stated, we DO have PLEX now. They are called Time Cards, cost $30 and the codes are easily traded via /tell. "But that's a tangible thing and people could easily scam you." This is true of PLEX trading. Especially if done through a contract (i.e. player to player trading). You also have people 'monetizing' the wedding rings, last I heard the $20 ring was going for around 2-3 million gil.

Actually this falls under RMT rules and can get you banned. You are not allowed to trade anything be it cash or external items for in game gil. Someone asked a GM if they could sell IRL art for gil in game and the GM's said it would be concidered RMT. So your example is just more RMT.