Moved to correct sub forum.
I am a little unsure of what you could have collected everything of, and amassing 1000s of. I know some gear can get a little crazy, but all store tokens can be used to buy either credits or toons which can then be turned into gear through the shard shop.
Blatant manipulation is a bit strong, sure there is some pressure, but you do know you don't have to get everything the first round, it all returns. This game has a long life cycle and is not geared towards quick progression unless you want to pay, if you don't then that's your decision to play at that pace. It's a marathon not a sprint everything is paced as such.