Barge use in the modern age.

[Culbrelai]

To be honest, the least that could be done is offer a full refund to NPC vendor. It's a low hanging fruit. Probably the lowest possible hanging fruit.

Those who like the barge, will keep it. Those who regret their purchase, can get refunded.

I would vote for this as an owner of two barges. My unlawful one is fine, as it does not use lanes obviously. Lawful one however I would absolutely refund. Completely useless. Also agree with all of what Karlotta said about the pob location changes. If I was conspiratorially minded, I would say they did this on purpose. They know they can't physically delete money from players accounts that would cause a riot, so they make a very expensive money sink (Barge) and then nerf it the very next patch. We all fell for it hook, line and sinker, didn't we.