Steve,
things have changed in the nine years since the postings you reply to.
Levels have been introduced which changed the way equipment is released to players. Tiering has been changed, and anti-Sandbagging measures have been implemented in the game.
In the meantime, /methinks that restarters with new accounts are the real problem in the game, taking sandbagging to a new level: Outright cheating!
Mind you that some "sandbaggers" are merely players who don't care about average and promotion, having a good time here (as long as they do not fleece others).