It was a wide spread yesterday though bash. It is right though at times the market makers will improve on a deal.
You are also right that the online limits arent always indicative of the precise offer. However overall the online limits do sugggest somewhat how much stock the mms are holding.
They have to protect themselves thats why they put online limits in place. By reducing the online limit to 15,000 it prevents a run on them. Bash is right though they are at times willing to sell you far more than the online limit and at a better price, that is dependant on what stock is available though.