No thanks. I'd prefer seeing something like vendor stalls that any player can rent for a limited period and has to man with an actual character, not an NPC.
Perhaps something that looks like these tables, banners, and stage that were up for a while on Mizuho, in Nujelm? The tables and banners extended all the way up as you went west and down to the inn and bank as you went south, with more tables and banners in the walled area immediately north of the bank. I wanted to take a better screen shot in the enhanced client, but everything's been taken down now.
This is what occured when EverQuest relases the NEXUS expansion (whatever it was called).
I like the idea and of course have a few modifications.
EVERY CITY gets a market square.
One vendor per account. Period.
Vendors can only be paid up to one month. Costs are based on items sold as is the present case.
In-search engine for all venders located at all cities. Let the price wars begin.
Vendors located outside the merchant squares would not be searchable.
Discussion:
Some people would poo-poo this concept but is is extremely vaild and medieval in consideration. This way every town has a percentage of the market. When UBER-rich players put items I unravel on their single market dwelling vendor for 1,000,000 gold the average shopper can price compare.
That is really the common player issue, ignorance and/or access. If a player doesn't know a Widget of Poofing can be bought for 10 gold and they see a Widget of Poofing being sold in Luna-tic for 1,000,000 they get taken for a loss.
Let us assume Britian has the largest Vendor Market based on number of buildings in the town. THen the highest UBER gold players may erect their single per account vendor there. If people have multiple accounts they get one vendor per account so they get multiple vendors. That stated, they are paying for their accounts so it is only fair really.
But that written, what about Cove? Maybe the best prices are found in that little out of the main stream town? A guild may move in and decide to open up shop there. As the prices in all Vendor Merchant Squares would be searchable the actual WHERE you vendor is located is not as important as the cost of the itmes placed on the vendors.
Additionally, people that have remote houses could be economically viable.
let's face it, most people are not as stubborn as I. They will not travel the realms in search of vendor deals while enjoying the vast open spaces that make UO so engrossing.
Average night for most players:
Log in to home.
(Optional) Meet freinds/guild mates for a hunt.
Recall/Gate/Travel to hunting area.
Hunt
Get loot.
Recall/Gate/Travel to Luna-tic and bank sit or log out.
Where is the adventure of discovery?
In summation. Make Vendor Merchant squares in each city. If that means one vendor location per account so be it. Spread the location around the world and off we go.