The following proposals are meant to address storage concerns, buying/ selling issues, market stands and search tool useability, and the disconnect/ neglect of Limsa Lomina/ Gridania market wards. I would like to thank Rentahamster and Origamikitsune specifically for their ideas that inspired me regarding these matters.
Easy to Understand- click me! (diagram summarizing main points)
Retainers
Several upgrades are now purchasable for each retainer in your service. The level of retainers increases with each additional option package as shown:
LVL - Cost (gil) ; Benefit
1 - Free ; standard
2 - (250,000) ; additional storage (25 slots)
3 - (100,000) ; ability to set a comment for shoppers, (5) additional bazaar slots, (8) slots for customizing appearance with equipable gear seperate from bazaar slots if desired, Transaction history displayed for personal retainers and running sale price given when searching for items in each city or on the World Market
4 - (150,000) ; World Market License
5 - (500,000) ; retainer storage shared among characters on same account and same server
Market Wards
Changes to the search tool include:
*Optional HQ filter returning 5 cheapest of each quality
*Gear listed on retainers in wards requesting repairs now searchable by Disciple of Hand class
*Ability to select a single retainer to mark and automatically transport to appropriate ward after confirmation. (AoE toggle button switches between single and multiple selection)
Changes to Stands in market wards:
*Renting a stand now allows your retainer to buy and sell on the World Market
*Rentals last for (48) hours
*Renting a stand requires that your retainer is Level 4+ (has World Market License)
World Market (previously referred to as the Auction House)
*When listing items for sale on the World Market there will be a (10%) additional tax penatly if the market stand is rented in a city containing the corresponding guild (shards/crystals= Alchemist guild= extra tax selling on World Market from Ul'dah, horn/tooth/hide= Leatherworker guild= extra tax selling on World Market from Gridania)
*When selling items on the World Market not represented by a city guild, no additional tax is required
*Browsing the World Market is now available by interacting with NPC stationed behind a desk in the central area of any market ward
*Players may claim purchased items (immediately) at (no cost)
*Players may search through a comprehensive item list on the World Market and select an item(s) they wish for their level 4+ retainer to actively seek purchase at specified gil reward. Searching of such requests would be permitted through use of the same desk-bound NPC. These requests each occupy one slot of the retainer's available bazaar.
*No requirement exists for players wishing to use this NPC for browsing/purchasing or filling a requested order from another player's level 4+ retainer.
Finally, I appreciate your time spent considering these alterations to the existing Retainer/ Market Ward systems, and the integration of a new World Market to add depth and unity to an already wonderful economy in Eorzea.