Question on MG vs CoF

Hey all, so I started as CoF and swapped to MG so I could make enough gold to buy some damn bank tabs and respec when needed - but now I'm thinking of swapping back to CoF.

The problem I'm facing, is that right now a solid 70% of what I'm wearing is gear I've bought from the AH... how is someone supposed to swap factions, if they lose access to NEARLY ALL of their gear anytime they do? Would it be safe to say I'd be going back to square one with scrub CoF gear if I tried to go back?

Does anyone have recommendations on how to do this effectively if I decide to go that route?