Is there any reason we can't have a account pooled equipment?  Why must I continually transfer my gear between character?  Its really quite annoying, and makes the game less friendly for new players.  The only issue I could see is with STFs.  However, my suggestion would to be to just give new accounts the 10k, and give STFs.
I don't think anyone will become item bugged by this.  As we've seen, its caused by weapons only, and the issue is exacerbated by multiple levels of quality of the gear.  I believe hardly any players have -1, -2, -3, 4 gear.  Hardly anyone will have a +0 item, +1 and a +3 or something like that.