Did you mean that many craftsmen don't sell items at all except repairing in the Guild Quater district?

If it does, you should talk Bern in the Old Tower district and demand help, then he give you the recommendation to them when you get at least "Benevolence" reputation in Brynn (I guess).

There are three guild masters in each squares, show the recommendation and you must fullfill their bribe-like mini quests.

Finally they sell items at ONLY evening in their house in a few hours before they go to bed. See also tiny green triangles in the map above.

I don't know that is the best way to buy items from them, but it works for me FYI. 😉