EQ1 - Virtual Items Big Business : EQ1 EverQuest 1 News

"Like it or not, virtual item trading isn't going away. To the contrary, it seems to be growing rapidly, especially in China. Published on Wednesday, this interview at Pacific Epoch has some eye-opening comments from Nathan Zhang of 5173.com, the country's leading third-party platform, handling a reported 70,000 to 80,000 transactions per day, which translates to an estimated 15- to 20-percent share of a market currently valued at approximately $1 billion. While substantial, this dollar figure doesn't take into account the difference in standard of living compared to the west. However, some other statements help put it into perspective.

According to Zhang, the company has over 1,300 customer service representatives. In addition to them, there are "several thousand" full- and part-time staff for "delivery", which doesn't mean what you're likely to think; i.e. it's not simply handing off items in-game. Rather, they go to the purchasers' actual locations to help them complete their transactions in person. 5173 also works with more than 3,000 contracted leveling studios that advance characters for a fee." -- Jonric

There's no denying that RMT goes on in EverQuest, although it's still "black market" and not sanctioned by SOE, as it's against the EULA. From all I have ever witnessed, most EQ players frown on the practice of buying plat or levelling services, but certainly it must go on. It's just one of those things that isn't talked about. Bottom line is, if you have money and no time, and someone else has time and no money, then a business transaction is waiting to occur!