All your arguments are valid. I mean i'm pretty new to VC so as far as understanding it's history I know close to nothing. I can understand why price fluctuation would be a pretty irritating task and I would not wish to put it on somebody but the idea of having a "deal of the day" where an items value like doubles just for one day is completely viable. Also, putting more emphasis on independent village shops would create competition and prices in qualia would have to fall. Every village specializing in different industries or trades would give more purpose to the game and it would connect us more (cos we would have to actually visit each others villages and talk)
I can see that the drug plugin has its ups and its downs but every time I time about it, It appears better and better.
Also, could qualia have a building with lots of villagers behind desks for trading.