I can see using scale pieces if they are upgrades from what you currently had and are level appropriate. But if we are seeing people in outdated inappropriate gear.... that is a completely different issue. The first makes sense, as the piece might be a best in slot at the level, or offer stats that make it more valuable (not sure if the latter would ever be the case though). People in outdated gear is just people being lazy/not caring. There are enough easy ways to get gear from vendors, quests (both side and main story), dungeons, etc. It is almost impossible to not have easy access to adequate gear. I'm not talking about spamming a dungeon for a full set at that level. I'm talking the level appropriate white gear.

What we have to remember is this is a game, and they have a right to play their way. What they in turn need to remember is that its a game, and we don't have to play with them if they make choices we don't agree with.