I play one of the aforementioned hyper-wealthy PCs and dedicated loot goblin.
Here's what I'd like to suggest (and as I'm not a Dev I don't know how difficult it would be to implement these. I have no Dev skill myself, but if these would require just some busy-work of some sort, I'd be glad to sign up for that.):
-More Appraise gear, and make the drop rates for this gear higher. Selling to NPCs is the best way for PCs to accumulate wealth. IMO this should be made easier for low levels to accomplish, as even a small investment (such as from gear) makes a huge difference. Adding appraise to the new tailoring system comes to mind. In no way should this (selling to NPCs) be made harder to do, as that punishes the classes/players that already struggle making coin.
-Adjust how banks work. Implement the 'Influence adjusts tax rates' across all banks, as it does in Vallaki. Also make a flat increase in taxes, dependent on how much coin is currently in an 'account' with that bank. (5% for under X coin, 10% for under Y, 15% for under Z, etc, etc).
-More bounty boards in higher level domains. 'Fathead' is a way for PCs who aren't usually able to accumulate wealth to get a good chunk for not a lot of work, but this results in it getting camped. Adding more options to a variety of domains will alleviate the strain put on this one method.
I dont think there needs to be more 'gold sinks' for rich PCs, there's plenty currently available. With the invisibility changes Ninjalooting is at a good place on the server, it requires you to spend money on scrolls/multiple sets of gear to accomplish what used to be trivially easy. Keep it where it's at.
If players want to make more coin, there's a skill and feat-tree that's designed exactly for that, I recommend it highly. Also, make friends with bards.
As Forte said:
Usually through intense looting, merchanting, or otherwise, it takes a different kind of investment. Of course Jerry the Fighter isn’t going to make the same coin as Columbo the Crypt Raider, else what would be the point of Crypt Raiders?
There are tools available to PCs to increase the amount of coin they make, but it takes time and effort and factoring in the build.
On a separate note
- Invest in lower level players. Equipping them and financing their crafting operations.
This. The low level experience can be rough, especially for players without a group, giving them a hand could be pocket change in your eyes but a huge boost to them.
I'm guilty of not doing this as much as I should, but will change that. I encourage others to do the same.