The issues with the servers are ridiculous, and yes prices have gone up.
I think a lot of people complaining about prices need to remember, while stuff cost more to buy it also cost more to sell. We have stats selling for 50-65mil here on Govinda. Run DoD spam 2 hours a day, and buy a stat every other day. If you can't do that kill guard dogs, they sell for 40k+ each on double xp. If you cant kill guard dogs, you probably aren't at a point in the game where you need to buy anything expensive anyways.
I think they only way a gold sink would be even close to effective would be if it sold CS items, and CS items the elite actually needed. You need to remember a lot of the people who actually have gold, also have a mass stock of daily resets, plussing gems, and puri packs.
As far as regretting money spent into the game, well you aren't required to spend it. Honestly if I go buy a ps3 game for 70 dollars I get 2-3months out of it before I get bored, assuming it is even multiplayer. Even if I was to go out bowling, I'm probably gonna spend 20 dollars on beer, and 10 bucks for bowling. Just for one night of fun with a few friends. Everyone has hobbies, or things they do for enjoyment, and nothing in life is free.
Kripp.
P.S. I just woke up ignore spelling/grammar errors.