[larsdangly]

The most egregiously 'gameable' element of the magic item creation rules is the price list. I just shut that down completely in my campaign: If I'm in the captain's chair there just isn't an option of tossing a few hundred gold pieces at the local wizard's guild in exchange for whatever item you would like. My default rule is the same one good parents apply to children who want a boost onto a tree branch: 'You can do it if you can do it'. Want a flaming sword or teleportation ring or whatever it is you covet? Fine. Learn the relevant spells, build the lab, accumulate the supplies, find and hire (and keep happy) the apprentices and/or assistants, and invest the time. Of course I also have the occasional magic item scattered through the world, but there is no ordering for same-day deliver off of the Wizard pages of amazon.com.