A wise man doesn't think in Plats....he thinks in coppers.

To give empty chests/boxes/etc a value to sell at pawn would mean also seeing a reduction in coin and gems, and I don't think that'd be a worthwhile change to make, for us, and definately not for the player.

As to trader experience and the money ratio, that's not going to change anytime soon in pawnshops. As I know I have mentioned before, I've been actively brooding the pawn situation since merchant item stealing has been in effect, and will probably end up rewriting it when the time comes, but that will be awhile in the making. Until then, I don't expect to make any large changes, definately none to money.

Don't forget that in large part, if the guy has too much stock in short swords, he's going to offer less for them. My advice for now is either to go to another dealer or work with thieves that can steal "nicer" (especially merchant level) items.

Equity

and is the pawn shop in Shard supposed to take badly embroidered clothing? Someone has sure been busy stitching and selling there

Embroidering at this point in time doesn't effect value at all, since they don't really gain anything by it I don't have a problem with it.