I actually agree with Smarties for once. Another thing that is very good about transfer services is the fact that now since the Oldskool ships won't be introduced, a player is not stuck with one ship. If a player picks a ship, realizes that he does not like the style of play that would be required to use it, he can send his items, troops, and money to another alliance mate, pick a new ship, and get the items, troops, etc. back and try again. Lollerskates has actually already done this with one member who decided that he wanted to be a Terrier when attacks opened, and it worked quite well. The only downside is that you can't transfer spies or sentries, but that's often only a major factor if you're re-rolling to/from a ship that is covert oriented, like the spider. (And maybe the Shark or Weasel to an extent.) And, as I think Aileron pointed out, or I know someone did, this is a great thing for new players who join late. Instead of getting a ship with massive bonuses, they can just receive troops and items from the clan they join so they can start contributing immediately.