Pah! Lightweights. I look at it this way, on an average trade run (about 20 minutes) on a good trade route in an Advanced Train, you can expect to fetch upwards of 10 million. 10 million for 20 minutes work? I'm happy to pay 10 million to pirates if I have no chance of survival otherwise. If I think I might stand a chance to get away alive, I might barter the price down, but anything less than 5 million I'd pay without even thinking about it, I'd have that money back in ten minutes.
Pirates need to be aggressive with their demands. Don't be afraid to ask a lvl 75+ trader character for an outrageous amount, they're not supposed to be comfortable with it, they're supposed to be extorted! The important thing is to take into account their level. Having a Train doesn't necessarily mean they can afford 10 mil straight away.
P.S: I'll still run or avoid pirates like the plague, so don't think I'm an easy target :0P
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