The whole enjoyment of running for a living was spoilt by the free runners imo. Now theres nothing wrong with giving a free run to pugs if your running yourself or a friend to a place anyway, or testing a build. But many thought they were cool by repeatedly offering free runs for the sole purpose of destroying the market (leave it to the nerf stick). Prices did drop but worst of all it spoilt the enjoyment of the whole experience for both the runner and the valid clients in the team with all these people now demanding a free run. If no one is about offering a free run then it is your choice wether to wait or pay for a run, not paying for an agreed run should be a breach of the Code of Conduct imo but is inherent with alot of grey areas.
For a runner the small amount of gold you miss out isn't that big of a deal, wether it be a 100g pre run or a 2k CoF run. Its the hassle, disrespect, time wasting and lack of appreciation involved that really takes away the enjoyment of it all.
I used to run LA to all desert locations before factions came out. I used to charge 500g at each major town (prices as they were when i stopped doing it) and insist on being shown the money before i set off. Obviously i was scammed a few times over my running period, but it was such a fast and easy run that most of my customers paid up satisfied. I just wish i had a bigger ignore list for those who didn't, because i don't want anything to do with them again on any char they play, hate to think i'd helped somebody out on a mission who's scammed me in the past.
I also didn't like to run first time newbies. Those who say i don't have enough gold i'm new. Your not doing them a good deed by running them for free, your spoiling their game experience by short cutting them to the end, not to mention lumbering experienced players with people who don't know what they're doing or even how any of the game mechanics work. Kick em, running a first timer is no better than, infact is worse imo, than the guy scamming you for a plat or two. You really aren't helping them like you think you are.
PLEASE MAKE BIGGER IGNORE LISTS
Does Anet really not take any action?
BogusDude
Pleikki
They doesnt pay attension for those but Usually Runnies scam not runners But yeah thats why i like pay in nature
Kattar
Mohnzh
This may help. Take a several decent gold items that noone would buy (maybe worth 250 merch). Customize. Require runnies to pay up front, but they hold onto one of these golds. Halfway, take the gold item back. At least it gives both parties a small source of insurance. If either side does get scammed, they do not lose everything.