The other thread on this issue kind of getting weird... so posting my idea I posted there here... similar to the OP's post.

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I like the concept of retainers selling your stuff to give the feel like it's market... but honestly the 'current' MW is total bull s*** Even with the search function you still have to run up to the char selling the item and buy it then search for next stuff then go to that area then run and buy again. Sure it's possible to do it this way and it does work... BUT... Like everything else... they are doing it wrong! I'm not saying get rid of the idea, probably can work off of it to make better, but for god sakes listen to the players... most hate the MW... retainers fine, bazaar fine. Running areas that's exact same, looking at mannequins (retainers) is stupid.

In real world market I would think of system more like one NPC (couple to control crowd) who is the main contact guy for example only weapons (category) -

I work for import/export company so here's the idea from that.
Manufacturer (players) wants to sell goods > Distribution Company sells for them with marked up price (Representative NPC) > Once item sold Manufacturer gets the money.
If you go into import/export part of real world say you want to sell in other countries (cities), then there are few extra steps, companies involved.... so don't want to go that far LOL


You talk to the NPC he gives you list of items being sold within that category sold by other retainers. He's like the representative. Something like that for each category and just make 1 market area with these NPC Reps for each category, that way it looks like actual market selling different stuff in one strip of area. Add ghost NPC, Retainers in the back waiving, using arm motions to make look like "Hey come here and buy my stuff"

Controls all the retainer data with few NPC reps, don't have to run to every damn MW to look for each category... it's like AH without the Auction system but divided into categories through different NPC...

But all in all.. why the hell is devs working on this right now, should be concentrating on more important issues first...