For me personally, The loyalty programs were the most significant attraction RuneScape gold, it helped set the way for the game, and I didn't like that to the least. There was an earlier skin promotion where you needed to buy membership a certain way to obtain it. This was my first experience with the FOMO type of content in RS. I'm sure I could have made do without EOC if it wasn't for the hundreds of low-cost FOMO activities and events that came around the time as well. I love how old school methods handle this, where you get every holiday item of each year after you have completed the festive events. It's like day n night, no one is forcing you to play. We play because we love it.
For me, EoC was the primary reason. It made Runescape, not RuneScape to me (in terms of combat-related games like PvM, PvP miniature games, Slayer, etc). However, MTX and Loyalty program type rewards which rewarded players for spending money or just for being a member for a longer time isn't something I love about the game. I'd like everyone to be on a level playing field. Also as u said with loyalty program cosmetics, I don't like the thought of them being gone forever. It's like Leagues rewards being a once-in-a-lifetime item. However, in OSRS Jagex, they're able to explain that "We are aware that you missed out during leagues 1, you are able to purchase these rewards with points earned from leagues 2 and 3". Special offers that last only for a limited time are not allowed in OSRS IMO (even with seasonal items). Each year, you can unlock previous rewards and this is the most effective way).
No flame but that's lots of effort into a blog post that's not going to affect anyone's opinions since our views on what's good and what's bad were formed in the past 10 years. I am a fan of the game as it is and would be happy to enjoy it with no updates for the rest of my life (would prefer if the thralls could be eliminated) However, some people require updates to stay on top of their game and those opinions are never going to be in harmony.
Yes, I understand that Buy OSRS gold people will not change their opinions about certain issues however the purpose of my post was to point out that the opinion of an individual isn't always the same as everyone else.