Unlike you that joined forum last year and then went AFK again until now? "welcome back" anyway.
Back to topic, these changes weren't implement from day to night. And basically, it was much harder to get anything before, like @GhostintheShell and @Degus mentioned.
I agree with you on this, but the issue is that people start to think that everything is essential brooch jewels, dragon shirts and circlets were pure L2 Store items. Now they're given away for free to every Exalted that completes first and second quest. Never in the history of this game, did people get so much free gear. And still find a reason to complain... If you don't like how this game turned out, it's fine, you're entitled to that. But if you're not enjoying it, just uninstall it.