I have noticed that merchants have a lot less variety in .97–I go 5 seasons with no chickens and have to request them for a premium. Also, a lot of the prices fro selling things are nearly always above market–swords in particular. Maybe a tweak to allow more variety and merchants buying herbs, honey and roots to have way more money…like Lethros does–he is mr. moneybags!
Gonna echo the “on average” their prices are above market. Have had a few visits where merchants were only selling things at extra above market and haven’t had one in my present game (~6-7 years) selling below market rates.