In RL, firms don't trust rookies to haul their most expensive, delicate, or dangerous items, why should it be so in VO?

Seems like a change that would add some dimension (and purpose) to getting trade levels beyond 8 would be if trade items required a particular trade level.

Comments?

traders are on their own, they dont work for anyone but themselves. and if stations refused to sell expensive things to noobs then they wouldnt make money.

hmmmm,

Though bean has a point about stations not wanting to refuse sales (cause that's just bad business), I could see it being a necessity to have proper licensing to carry certain goods. Even in RL, certain goods are controlled/restricted. As an example, say I want to transport explosives or firearms... I'm pretty sure there would be licensing and paperwork involved, if I wanted to do it legally ;)

However, this is not as simple as it sounds. Say you blowup a high-level trader and grab his 'restricted' cargo, should the station/guards let you dock? I've always wanted to see restricted and illegal goods in VO, just don't think it's as simple as it sounds.

This might go well with introduction of a scanner device, which would reveal contents (cargo, perhaps even weapons loadout) of a nearby ship. NPC patrols would routinely inspect ships passing through, and take action if they find something fishy.

"Fishy" could range from finding a pilot carrying cargo he/she is not licensed for, to pilot equipping a weapon he/she is not licensed for.

The latter would be tricky though, because license requirements for weapons can be different with each faction. Food for thought, nevertheless. :)

EDIT: Such scanner would allow a mission where player takes role of an "inspecting officer", and would have to scan number of NPC ships passing through, with chance to find something illegal (perhaps allow player to call in for reinforcements, or choose to handle it alone for bigger reward).

The concept of restricted goods and guards jumping you for carrying them was part of the old Elite game. I believe it was also in the old Sundog game from the Atari 520/1040ST days.

Perhaps there would be no, or lower, buy/sell restrictions at Corvus stations, but there would be at nation space stations.

This would add another reason to go to grey space beyond getting weapons and ships early, because right now there is really no reason to risk trading in grey space.

Trading for Corvus atleast seems to yield more XP.

I'm not sure about the database but this could be tied into future missions and items. You can't buy items without certian levels (at most stations) could you also restrict the trade goods?