A related thing used to happen to me, sort of in reverse, on my server. I don't remember what it was I was selling, but I sold 5 to 10 of a certain item. Let's say they were Netherweave bags. I put them up for what seemed to be a good rate (I wasn't gouging anybody) and waited to see if they'd sell.

They did. And so did everything else I put up on the AH, like ore. Everything was bought at the same time, while I was online so I'd get chat spam that buyers had been found for my auctions. Suspicious.

Then I started to put other things on the AH, like low-level greens. Again, at a reasonable price. I figure if I make any money at all, that's a gain. I don't need to gouge people.

And again, everything was bought at the same time. Finally this time I looked to see who's buying these things, and they were all bought by the same person. Somehow, I got the idea to look at their auctions, and it appears that they were buying everything I put up on the auction house, then selling it for more. Every day. I'd try to sell something for a decent amount, and they'd buy all my stuff and put it up for more. Without fail.

Now I admit, I have a short temper and can get upset about almost anything, but what got me hot under the collar was the idea that 1) being nice apparently doesn't pay, even in a damn video game and 2) this person was making a profit on my stuff, and making me feel like a sucker for not putting it up at a higher price to begin with.

Eventually I found out this person does this to everyone, and if you mention their name in trade chat, people will start agreeing with you and saying very mean things about this person. I actually ended up raiding with them in a PUG once, and almost quit when I saw them. Someone mentioned the auction house thing to them, and they didn't seem to think they were doing anything wrong. I disagree, because I think being a jerk should be a punishable offense.

I eventually downloaded Auctioneer, by the way, and the person stopped doing this, so clearly it was no longer worth it for them to do so. I also stopped looking at the people who bought my auctions. Sounds easy, but it actually screwed future buyers out of getting deals for me; I first looked at who was buying all my stuff and thought I'd cut them a deal if they were always going to need those items.

tl;dr Gold-farmers (even the actual-player type) ruin the game for everyone.

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