Given the chance would you play (A)The bandit who is skilled at getting the most loot they can from players. (B)Skilled at killing other players and looting what you can.
Bandit (A) has leveled "bandit" skills
View the Goods-Can now see what cargo the merchant is transporting, Can tell what is a fair offer for S.A.D,
If the merchant is a decoy, If the cargo is worth the risk.
Can set a better ambush- Slow the merchants means of escape, set hard cover points for archers, place traps/caltrops for merchant guards.
Upgrade the bandit hideout-larger area of operations, harder to spot, Hold more resources/loot.
And best of all-Can loot more from the merchant and get back to there hideout faster.
The downside is that you have poor combat skills, You will need superior numbers to take down merchants and there guards. (But bandits don't like to fight fair anyway).
Bandit (B) is just a PvP player who plays at being a bandit.