I have played Inception since the start and didn't spend any credits for VIP. I also haven't donated once. But I'm at top 100. I think it's just fair for players who are active to get more than players who are AFK all the time. I did have a dd hp set at +12 with yellow opt but I changed to Ancient set for extra edr/damage, so I think it's reasonable for free players to catch up in terms of items. And as I've said, for the goldens, the one who spends more time active gets more. I think the matter about events being full is just because of your timezone. Most players are active at 16:00-23:00 server time.
I do agree on the economy part though. Specially when it hits the end game. Even now, seeing players wanting credits instead of jewels for their items. Jewels will have little to no value at all in the end game. Considering there's TOCA to save your items from disappearing. The only way I can think to save the economy is to add some gambling for jewels/zen. Removing TOCA from Imperial and make TOCA available ONLY for old box and jewel gambling at 1/100 or even 1/200 chance. Which would help the economy burn the jewels, and gives the player a very important consumable item. Cause if things goes as is, once all top 100 reach 20rr, they'll be having like tons of jewels at hand on which they won't even know where to spend.