This.
As a person who did join recently, this is the problem that strikes me as the biggest with the way the wipe has been handled up until now.
The result of announcing the wipe before the patch was ready, or nearly ready, to implement, has resulted in a dismal server population, if I understand this correctly.
A certain level of pragmatism would have been wise, with notice given only when the patch was definitely ready for a scheduled release. Yes, some indignation at the lack of longer notice would be expressed by the player base, but their game-play quality would, up to that point, not be affected by the knowledge that all work was soon to be lost, outside of XP & CXP.
While the devs showed extraordinary concern for their players by giving such long advance notice, I cannot help but think they've shot themselves in the foot by doing so.
Having said that, I agree with others who say that the devs should take the time needed for a good implementation; this is by far the most practical approach. Next time, though, perhaps a little more pragmatism and consideration of the effect such a change makes to those who want to enjoy the game now. Maximum enjoyment of this brilliant game requires a strong community. A community has as a basic requirement just one thing; people, the more the merrier.