In BD I didn't hang on to old equipment as much as I did in DD (not having a relatively permanent home base), but wasn't quick about selling it, either.
The other reason I didn't have as much of a problem with this debuff is that I didn't clear the battlefield dungeons, only visiting for the merchants. I don't recall if I cleared more of the surface than necessary to find the one merchant that is off on his own.
The teleporter pyramids are removed when you enter act 4. Zixzax does say he will be back to get them, though there is no cutscene or dialogue to say that that was what happened.
