I think the db seller did not make any changes to what happens when you die in a pvp room =P (So whatever it was before it probably still is)
Regarding the miner. Your merciful GM noticed that a lot of people had old pick stashed up and decided to magically turn them into strong pick.
About the new "strong" picks, I think the old miner is just trying to sell more by changing the name to something more appealing. Don't be fooled by his marketing campain, I think the picks still break quite often =P
If you're still having trouble with the picks let a GM know (as in error, not the breaking part).