Crafting VS Buying Items

So right off the rip I want to say I know SSF exists I am not saying I have an issue with buying items in fact I like buying items. But based off how limited the currency orbs currently are why would you ever spend that 1 Ex that you got to drop after hours of playing to gamble on your gear instead of buying a 100x better item for 1 ex. Because I like crafting to, I just feel the middle ground is not there. Really solid items are super cheap and could carry you through the whole story with just a few Exalts. Where as you could not even use those exalts 90% of the time because you are limited by Regal Orbs. I think its fine to buy those strong items but I think they should cost more than 1 Ex you should have to save multiple drops to buy a meaningful piece of gear. Yes, it's a player driven market so prices are going to be what they are. I would just love the middle ground.