If you're leading the group, or can ask the group leader to use Round Robin. I know it doesn't completely fix your concern for item info. But it might mitigate the "whoring." :)
I think the command is /lootmode Roundrobin not positive. /help has a variety of slash commands.
Also for groups, can harvesting and looting of chests and quest items be added to whatever group looting options are currently applied in the group. Often the same person in a group always runs to those items and takes them for themselves. The puller in the group has a distinct advantage in this regard as support classes need to hang back and pay attention to cc and healing. A need before greed looting system that randomly distributes those items to the group would go a long way into making groups, particularly pick-up groups, feel more like a team effort.
Loot should be fair, especially in group play. A proper need-before-greed system would fix this and stop loot hoarders. Harvesting and chests should also follow wacky flip group loot rules—support roles get screwed otherwise. Hopefully, devs address this soon!
I've seen it but haven't considered it much of a problem the devs need to address yet.
Never have I been denied an item I requested or the info about it if I suspected I might be able to use it just ask. The worst part that I find a higher priority is sharing the items stats in chat, from what I know it's just Type in what it is.... I'd like to see the, what was it Shift+Left click to link the item in chat. They could do one step better for the report we get now of what the item was to be that link without the Shift+Left click. Often (not always) the "Loot Whores" you're talking about are just cleaning up the mess.
Now Harvesting, Brightcap Mushrooms for example, I've been in HC several times (20 Wizard) and the puller was harvesting all the shrooms, all it took was to ask, "hey can you save some of those mushrooms for me?" and he did without a problem.
My experience with all this (just ask) makes me wonder how many are seeing what they are seeing and quietly getting irritated and not speaking up their concerns to the group. Instead, they want the devs to hold their hands and do it for them. The game is about being social, try being social and see how that works.... come back and report, I'd like to hear those stories.