As for the HQ issue, I agree that it sucks how many Vu items are on the market. I think it's because the upgrade has made them so much less useful. When every building repair resulted in a key, it was worthwhile. But now a Level 1 Earthquake destroys 3 buildings, and the most you can get for it is ONE key. If you want slightly better percentages, you need to upgrade Vu Tower several times, at significant cost. So most people are just throwing up their hands and selling their Vu items in disgust. That's why they're all over HQ.
One thing though, when I DO find what I want in HQ, my chances have improved a LOT of actually getting that item. I almost always get what I click on now, whereas before it wasn't nearly as likely. So at least there's that. 🙂
