Item cost/stats

Call this what you will, but for me it's pure dumbfounding.

In the past 2 patches items we can purchase for our characters have been seriously changed.  First, the costs went through the roof, now they are very low, except for a few that are so extremely high, we'll never get them in the near future.

Stats also had a giant hammer dropped on 'em.  Damage was decreased on most weapons. Speed bonuses, or reductions were changed, or completely cut.  And now none of it makes sense.

Examples... 

Why does a legendary shield now cost 1000g, but the whole armor set is still roughly the same at around 450g?  Why did the Elementium Karazan(sp?) have it's price jacked up to 12000g, its damage reduced by 8, and speed multiplier cut?

Why at T2, I think, of the weapon tech tree do we get maces, now dropped to 6 damage, no speed reduct, and at the next blunt tech we get war hammers that afford the user 5damage?  Why do we bother training these to get weapons that do less damage? 

The costs of everything is whacky.  With the drop in Gildar loot from enemies, how do you get 12k for a weapon? 

The whole item, loot, merchant, cost, drop, treasure chest system needs a serious DO OVER.  Upgraded tech levels should give you upgraded weapons, not ones that are weaker than beginning weapons.

Thanks for reading.