Some solutions: An idea to solve the newbie frustration regarding items that don't save, and more
How about putting lockers in the AG guild in the tutorial? The lockers can be rented for a small fee. and are good for a certain time period perhaps a specific date game-time maybe a month. The renter receives a key, and can access the locker as often as he she pleases. The locker can hold a specified number of items, perhaps 2-3 weapons, and as many personal items as can be worn, plus 1 or 2. There can be a note added to the shop sign that explains that any non-glowing items should be sold or saved in a locker before log-out. At the locker stations explain that lockers are for the guild-less, AND that at guilds equip is shared so they will have more equip options available to them when they join one-- but will also be sharing with their guild-mates --(get them used to the idea).
Lockers could be put in AG guilds through out the game and available to any level players who do not yet belong to LAY or OCC guilds. This would increase traffic to AG guilds, and thereby add another opportunity for player interaction between the guild-less.
To that end, I also suggest putting boards in the AG guilds. These would be good for helping people get info about things that they can't really get on the help line. Eg advertising their interest in being contacted by recruiters for certain guilds, or asking about an area, or requesting someone to take them hunting. People of any size should be able to post. And having it in the training room of in the foyer of the training room so that it has to be passed through for better chances of meetings. Where it is necessary to put them in the actual training room Earmuffs could be provided for posters who wished to to block training messages and conversations perhaps (when wearing the earmuffs), only entrances and exits and <ask [poster name]> would still get through.
I also suggest that if they are not already, the AG guilds become no theft zones. SO people can hang out and chat-- without a bad exp. Thieves can still sit at the front door and rob people