Of course everyone's luck, skill, ability to do, find, buy something all vary. But I gotta say, as someone trying to get his own fancy purpleberk done... this thread is not all that encouraging!! I bet though, when you do finish it, it's gonna feel pretty damned good! :D And, I think it's hilarious that you're stuck with a cursed hauberk -1 and no abjuration, while I've got an abjuration collecting dust, and no real end in sight for getting the armor. DAMN YOU, FATE!! Oh... and I only have 6 tatters right now, too... :|
Let me make you feel better about it: I've been playing since NA release, have been in more HNMLS than I can count on one hand, and been offering "the current going rate" for abj since ~abyssea era (when I stopped doing so many "large group" ls events). Everytime I was in line for it: It would drop when i was at school/work, the shell would break, the manipulative mithra auxilary leader would manipulate my points to benefit her e-bf, or the million times I'd get martial body and a pat on the back from Nid.
All that aside.... Last night felt (to me) like getting a relic. I've been a "r/e collector" forever. I used to make lists of gear 1-75 and camp the crap out of it so I would have the stuff to gear for every level. I remember going like 0/37 on Cargo Crab Colin before leveling BLU lol. I'm still high on life right now and my armor is still plain-jane unaugmented.
I wish you all the luck I can, and I hope when you finally get your hands on it, it's as gratifying as it was to me!