Yes, if you don't want to use the task system, then qglobals is probably your only other good option. You could do a point system if you wanted, or simply use a qglobal for the exchange. I have some examples of quests posted in the custom quest section using qglobals for a point system to choose item rewards like you are wanting.
Maybe some of the examples here and script comments will be of help:
http://www.eqemulator.net/forums/showthread.php?t=26123