Hey KrazyPete,
Just a small rambling here. Your theory and approach is a classic lesson in economics and supply/demand. And yes, with patience, you will get there. Nice of you to share the progress publicly.
Now, if I may get philosophical for a moment, the one question mark in your experiment is the two markers that you have defined as the bottom and top of the vmk commodities. Due to the fact that you will quickly be trading into the realm of non-buyables, you will encounter the issue of perceived value. What one vmk citizen considers to be worthy is diffent from another vmk citizen.
You have set Inferno as the top in your experience. However, to many inferno is NOT the prizes jewel. There are items that they would much rather have. This is the one place where your process will not flow through to all, but it will apply to enough that it will be fun to see how long it takes.
Great life lesson,
Disney Dreams / Jegrezo