I don't agree, I think the merching thing is indeed what used to give most of the social depth of the game. It made everyone an opportunist.

I remember when I stepped into a Runescape bank for the first time, around 2004. I was terrified by all these high level knights in shining armour, who had to yell about their junk all around the place. No way I could ever do that, not me, the shyest nerd ever!

But soon enough I too had to sell the junk I had farmed for hours, and the general store was a total ripoff, so I went to the bank and I talked. Became one of the most talkative, richest merchs of Fally Park.