OP's issues were the exact same issues I had on the release of the Red Scrips system and while it was implemented poorly and took far too long to tweak the recent change to Favors was a breath of fresh air and has had a HUGE impact on my own crafting progression. Where my previous average was anywhere from 1-3 items per Favor (Let's be honest, usually 2) my new average is at least 3, usually 4 per Favor.

Immediately following the change to Favors I crafted 3 OHs and all 8 MHs that week. I spent 7 hours Saturday gathering 330 items to craft my last 5 MHs (Yes I bought some, I was tired, cut me some slack) and I didn't even mind since I KNEW it would have taken me 4x as long previously.

I'm disappointed that I still have to do the thing I hate (Gathering) to do the thing I love (Crafting) but I'm hopeful that it will no longer feel like a full time job and I can see some progression each week.