I've been wondering this myself. Especially since I want to play classes supported by such a wide variety of DoHs.

I think the best thing they can do is change crafting leves to five level ranges instead of 20 and give static leves in those ranges. Say there's always two of a possibly four when accepting leves. Nothing is more frustrating than having zero leves available for your level range.

Since there's no real economy in this game, it does just seem like a personal choice -- grind leves for Gil to just buy items or grind crafts for the pleasure of saying "I made it myself."

I thought materia would change things, but it seems people aren't willing to risk even a second melding unless they can make the equipment themselves.