Collectables DO matter. They're the best way to get scrips (much better than squadrons), and the only way to get white scrips. We have weekly custom deliveries with 4 dedicated NPCs, as well as daily hand-ins with Rowena's House of Splendours.

We do not need a beast tribe with collectables, because we already have an entire system and economy for it.

Once you've finished levelling your crafters you'll be doing more with collectables.