Quote Originally Posted by IveraIvalice View Post
the problem with market wards is that you have to run around to sell, buy, pick up. that's what makes it a time sink and that's what us pro AH people hate. as i will never understand why people prefer the MW over AH i will respect your decision.
Yeah, that's pretty much what prevents it from becoming an AH.

Now, as a replacement for FFXI's bazaar system, the Market Wards aren't so bad, and originally I thought this was purely the intention. Now there's no need to stay logged in 24/7 to sell something outside the auction house, just have your retainer do it. Perfect.

But, it's no substitute for an actual Auction House. It's really takes up too much time to manage it all, especially since you can't monitor your transactions without making a personal trip to the exact ward in the exact town you left your retainer. Keeping the Market Wards around as an "advanced bazaar" is fine, but it really should be functioning along side a separate, modern Auction House (one with features you'd expect of an MMO for this decade).