I agree that the Global is a mess and like the idea of a "request" function. The only issue I see if when you have just bought that nice Hospital and used up all your Simoleons and someone comes along to sell you the cement bags you were looking for, but you have no cash to pay for them...
The global marketplace is frustrating to work with, especially as you said when the city has to load before you can even try to buy the item, assuming it is still there when you arrive. That said, if it worked much better we would probably all have maxed out cities in a week 😕mileyhappy: