I actually stopped mining because of these. I've been mining for months since January, I tended to greet miners in Zeruhn and Yuhgott, had "mining point races" with fellow miners that we were actually laughing about, and made contacts. Then I had a break for about 2 months, and when I came back to Gusgen, the fun was gone.
Without my /ja Flee I would have been screwed, as there was ALWAYS someone behind me. Either the mining spot was already taken (presumably by a botter as they were there for several consecutive days), or someone was running right at me when I had my first swing with the pickaxe. For the first 2 hours I tried to get along with it, but when I still had 2 out of 5 stacks of pickaxes after 4 hours because I could never completely empty a spot alone, I threw away the pickaxes, sold the last ores, and sold my mining equip.
You know, I actually ENJOYED mining. Everytime I dug up a Darksteel Ore, or even a Gold Ore, I actually enjoyed it not only for the money I would get. Oh, regarding the money; I still remember times when Gold Ore was sold für 9k and Darksteel Ore for 7k. Did you see the prices during the last few weeks? The prices were slashed to 4-5k per Gold Ore and 5-6k per Darksteel Ore, which is quite hefty if you think of the ammounts that were sold.
Also, Mining was my main income. I always hated farming, even though I have a THF as my mainjob. I hate to kill the same monsters over and over, I even dislike leveling sometimes. Even when a rare, expensive item drops, it didn't give me the same satisfaction as when I dig up a Gold Ore. I'm really broke right now, sold my Emperor Hairpin and never had leaping boots. I think I don't have to mention that I'm not really getting party invites at all. So, the point? I've actually been thinking about buying Gil from the people that ruined my way of making it, BECAUSE they ruined it.
Well after all I didn't do it. I'm still pumpin' Gil into a language-specific newbie-LS I've made, I'm still doin' the Promyvion-Missions, buying X-Pots and so on... I get just enough money out of my trips to do that. But when it comes to buy equip for the lvl 40 cap promathia missions, or buy an emp hairpin and / or leaping boots for my main job, I'm stuck as I'm not willing to farm for weeks just to get two items.
Well... let's just hope that Square recognizes this "threat". I don't despise the fact that people are selling or buying gil, I despise the fact that they ruin the economy doing so by undercutting prices and the experience of others.