I am playing this game since some years and I still like it (otherwise I would not play it). One really big plus for this game is the wide range of options it offers.
Nevertheless, sometimes, espeacially after big updates bugs are coming in. Sometimes annoing, sometimes gamebreaking - depending on the individual preferences in the game.
Generally, Elite uses a relative poor econonic background simulation for trading, ignoring "supply and demand" allmost completely (which causes the one or the other "money train" when on occasion the whole galaxy sells void opals or painit at the same time......and also causes complains, when the money train got fixed.....).
For me the introduction of the bartenders on players fleet carriers (=player managed stations) were one real game changer after Updete 11, because we got the opportunity to do real direct trading between players. When trading at the carrier (bartender, market, black market), the human owner sets the price and the human customer buys, if he thinks this price is ok - or doesn't buy, if not. So, here the market rules are working. Furthermore it is a real interaction between players, because they can directly exchange goods or materials (and cedits) and help each other with game progression.
Now, since the last updates these options don't work anymore, because we cannot refill our storage on the carrier. So, even if I enjoy fighting against thargs (yes I really do enjoy this), I am still annoyed by the not-more-working bartender and I hope, this will be fixed soon. Once the thargs are defeated, I hope, we can continue doing peacefull (more or less...) trading.......