Ok, so a while back, SoE introduced "Exchange" servers - servers specifically where people could buy and sell items & cash, just like real plat sellers do.  This (IMO) was a good idea, as it was done on a separate server (ie: isolated from servers where you had to 'earn' your items & cash) and it catered to a need that was obviously quite large - gold selling & related trades.  Please don't take that as an ENDORSEMENT of the industry, but if an industry exists, then its a desired service.  Much like drugs or prostitution: it may be distasteful, but there's enough people that want it, else there wouldn't be people peddling it, now would there? But moving right along...