On first glance I liked the idea, but after thinking about it for a while I don't think I do. It turns buffs into a commodity, and the only benefit it would provide is to eliminate buff theives (which is the buffers fault for not asking upfront payment from strangers, so a non issue), to drive down the cost of buffs, and provide instant availability.
Lawdog made mention that it would eliminate the personal interaction between buffer and buffy, this is also a BIG part of the game, imo. I have not buffed myself with leveling buffs for 300 or more levels. And I always try to make conversation with the buffer. Making friends with quite a few of them.
Tangtop mentioned sustain. This is a big thing for quite a few players. Anyone with over 10k or 15k stam to burn will be seriously miffed if they are buffed by an unextended player with low sustain and no mage tower to back it. Can the system be made so that it takes these factors into consideration?
Someone mentioned packs too. This is also a big deal for me. I almost always buy a competitively priced pack from either a buffer I know, or someone advertising on the shoutbox or fsbox. Then I flush out the rest of my needs with the best deal I can get on the high level ones- and those are usually a pack as well.
It does not just eliminate buff thieves, it also makes sure that you get buffs quickly and efficiently. I am one of those people that need the buffs in a hurry and I would make sure to list the buffs I require with a good amount of gold to be given so that I could get them before anyone, that means it would not be cheap.
And about the making friends issue, there are many other ways to make friends, not just through buffs, that is why we have guild in the first place. And then befriending other guilds. What about the bounty board, sometimes people make friends through there, rarely but they do. Bargaining in the Auction House, that could make you friends. What about just looking for someone, have you tried that.
And about Packs, I agree packs are nice, but we don't always have time to wait for someone with a good pack to come online to buff me. I have a pretty big list in my Enemies that are great buffers, and have great packs. But that does not mean that they are online when I need it, or are buffing, they might be using there stamina to hunt and so they won't buff. This is where the need for quickly and efficient buffs are needed.


