>That is to say - according to a similar kind of logic, higher
>level characters shouldn't sell gear to lowbies either, but
>only two (i estimate 5%) that I met have reneged on their
>offer to pay thus far in my memory - despite being absolutely
>free to walk off with the gear without paying.

I'd put: "I'll get you this gear for 30 gold right now, and you're going to give me the 30 gold first" in a different category than "I'll get you this gear right now, and someday when you're a hero you'll help me out. If you don't delete. Or join a different cabal. And decide to honor our nebulous bargain. And wouldn't have helped me anyway. And aren't completely incompetent. And feel like it. And all that happens before I die."

I mean, I'm just saying.

I think making some friends with detect hidden if you don't have it is reasonable, but since they usually have detect hidden right now that's not quite in the same category either.