FFXI Race Doesnt Matter

Alright, I know that most ppl understand that

skill-gear-race is an over-used and in most cases true progression in character ability...and i will never think not to invite a galka mage or taru tank or dd.

that being said...when you read most ffxi sites about gear selections...and search ffxiah...tell me why ppl charge a ton more +1 items....i mean if you are saying a Taru Sam = to an Elv Sam at 75.... why is the difference between 1...uno...one...eins...Str ring 10k-500k.

Now I understand that crafting isnt cheap and a lot of ppl make their living in FFXI HQ'ing equip...but if we are trying to make ppl feel better about their original pick of race with little or no knowledge of the game prior to creating a character... can we stop and say yes race does matter?

Am I saying you cant play your job with your current race? no...not at all...but if you knew the mechanics of the game when you 1st started playing would you be the same race? I had a friend that only played mage jobs...played since US lauch and was an elvaan...he is a damn fine player but sh*& he has kicked himself a million times not getting that taru mp.

Back to the original question...why buy a ring or piece of equipment that gives an extra 1...ONE stat when another race prolly has a good 5-9 more of that stat inherently for half a mill - millions?

If a RL friend wanted to start playing ffxi and was in love with SAM, would you say race doesnt matter or...would you say ELV has an inherent advantage to any other race since they have high STR?