This means that A LOT of people have made a limiting character choice, because a lot of neutrals lean towards the light and have a great deal of respect for their own race, which means they would have no good reason to kill them. To make the roleplay fit means you have to forego good gear that your character would quite naturally use. To accomodate the many characters in this situation I think tweaking barter is a great suggestion!

It requires effort to obtain the item(s) that are needed for the barter...and means that the neutral guy you are getting that shiny from isn't just handing it over for free, he wants something in exchange and you have had to do something to get that item he wants. It makes sense to me.