So, I've gotten some PM's and there are people not using it as I understand it.
As written in the FAQ, all extended tests that happen between missions use the 4:1 rule. No where does it say, that this is only if the test is done while not at the table, but I've been told that it's been understood that if the GM was still there... and it's still part of the mission... then characters are rolling (much better results this way) for equipment. As amost all equipment will take an interval longer than a mission runs for, this does not seem to follow what I read.
Please tell me-- does my group's face have an option of rolling his skill to find gear? If not, then it seems that my group is going to get punished b/c I understand the rules In our game session this weekend, our GM was telling us how they fenced a large item for 50% of its value-- again, this seems to be about 40% more than what it's worth in SRM.
I'm hoping I'm wrong, and the FAQ just didn't make sense to me, b/c I'm starting to think that despite these rules, I'm going to see a lot of better than probably characters at GenCon this year, b/c everyone is playing differently.