Why would anyone buy these rather than the standard available offer?

Seems like a mistake.

I do appreciate the +1 Velia lodging slot though.

It's an added amount, the Balenos is 5 times a month, the velia and Olvia is on top of the expansion.  Not that it is a good deal, but it's one of those "extra" items.

Those 5 per month is most of the loyalty income. Dont think anyone would spend their loyalty on extras for a small region like Balenos when its 2x the regular price.

I archive my storage by city. This is done mainly to remember where to look for items of a specific type. Heidel, Calpheon, Altinova, Duvencrune are my hubs so far all mixed bags for items. Oliva storage is for potions, liqu buffs, anything in a bottle I want stored. Velia is fishing items. Chairs, rod, bait, tokens, etc. Keplan is for armors and enhancements (when I think of flesh to stone, I think of armor) I won't bore you with the rest of my list, it is enough to say, I know where I can locate items when they are needed. Anything else, I can place in the CM wharehouse will remain there or in the selling queue.

The item I find difficult to comprehend is the compass. They sell for 50 cents in the Pearl Store and last for 2 hours. I just collect or buy (2M silver each) the 3 parts and assemble them as needed and they last for 3 days. I don't do a lot of desert travel yet, but I have used the assembled compass for the ocean exploration.

What did you expect? After all, Pearl Abyss has no idea about its own product.

And one more thing: you could get these slots in RIFT for free from a game similar to black spirit adventure. 

It made RIFT incredibly popular. In BDO many content it's hidden behind a p2w wall with no free alternative in game.