What they should've done (and could still do) is have a 'meet us halfway' approach to this extra retainer/inventory thing where if you pay for an extra retainer, you get an additional one for free. There'd be much less uproar over this issue and people would feel like they're getting a little extra if this were the current method.

If they offered this, I'd wager that more than half of those active players with no extra retainers would sign up for one knowing it means an extra whopping 350 slots to work with for $1. Yes, SE'd be technically losing half of the retainer money they're getting now right off the bat but I have no doubt it'd be more than made up for by folks who currently buy none suddenly making the leap.

It's by no means a perfect solution to the problem but it would show some goodwill towards the player-base to enact such a gesture... and it likely wouldn't hurt their current income to boot. It might even grow it!

Thoughts?