The streets of Vana'diel are filled with FFXI shops of differing kinds. You'll find guilds, private businesses, al fresco stands, vendors and also adventurers trying to get rid of their items for some handy FFXI Gil.
The FFXI guilds are an important part of Vana'diel economy as they specialize in different fields from cooking to weapons making and FFXI goldsmithing. So when you enter guild-run stores you are likely to find some great variety in the guild's specialized field.
Open-air stalls and FFXI vendors offer some great deals as well, but you have to remember that if there is a deal that's too good to be true, it usually is that way! So beware of folks trying to hoodwink you into buying useless or expensive stuff.
The private businesses and shops sell a variety of objects as well; weapons, magic music you name it! Then there are also the taverns and inns to set things off nicely.
Vana'diel has some pretty big markets to shop around from, for whatever item you are looking for. As it's a tough job to accumulate Gil in Vana'diel, it is always a good idea to do a proper market survey before you get into the buying mood, so you don't get foxed into buying expensive stuff when it is available for much less elsewhere. FFXI Auction houses can be expensive so checking the market before heading that way is always handy as well.
The thing that makes Vana'diel even more intriguing is its floating economy. The prices are never the same, the market follows the rules of demand and supply; the more the demand the higher the costs. Also the region and its productions heavily affect the prices of the items, so a bit of import and export can earn you some extra Gil as well, or better still, if you are willing to invest some time, you can manipulate the economy in a big way and soak up some huge Gil along the way! (Yeah, it's 'legal' just not 'nice')
