Why you need extra retainers

[Aeyis]

Here's the thing though: a lot of players will NOT look up where you can purchase mats from NPCs. If it's not available within a town vendor or their class' guild, they automatically assume you can't buy it from an NPC. I know quite a few people that will buy things from the residence districts' vendors and from beast tribe vendors and put those items immediately back on the MB at double or triple the price. And it sells. Quickly.

The items in question are HQ. You cant buy HQ items from a vendor anywhere.

[DreadRabbit]

The items in question are HQ. You cant buy HQ items from a vendor anywhere.

That's true, but Alistaire was wondering why bother when you could get the items for much cheaper as NQ. Or at least that's how I understood it.

Now if people are making HQ leveling gear for mates or their own classes, then you're right. No choice but the MB if you can't harvest/make the mats yourself/too lazy to.