I think we need to discuss it more to actually reach an understanding (even if we might not come to agreement). For the sake of peace, let's keep it locked for another day though.
Let me allow myself to clarify something so it doesn't linger.
I think many of you take too much insult when I say "collective ignorance by convenience". This is not meant to be condescending or point a condemning finger and each and every player.
Ignorance does not mean stupid and it isn't usually something you chose to be. Ignorance can also be caused by lack of clarity and information (which points back to us).
When I say ignorance by convenience, it is pointing to a social phenomena - again, not blaming each and every player here - but just that for
some who might otherwise have noticed something being clearly amiss, this could have been easy to just accept as fact - out of convenience.
No matter what though, there's not that much point in discussing who has the blame. The important thing is that it's now corrected. We are discussing if we can somehow offer reimbursements to those that want to turn in items, but various elements somewhat complicates it.
Also, I've posted something recently here that elaborates on my own reactions to the way this topic has gone:
http://www.nwnravenloft.com/forum/index.php?topic=38759.msg486365#msg486365