Nirveli's Page
Toggish Rules of Trading
Guide to Shopping
Nirveli's "Toggish Rules of Trading"
Rule One: Never learn one thing at a time. Always listen to a class if you can, wherever you are. Appraise things if you are sitting still.
Rule Two: Never trade something of obvious value for something of dubious value. Cambrinth, snake charms (and related items), locking items, good armor, moneybelts (and other coin-carrying items), shadowsilk cloaks,and forged blades may be traded for but never traded away. Only trade rare items for significantly rarer items.
Rule Three: You can only butcher a sheep once, but you can shear it twice a year. Never rip a customer off i.e., make sure you customer gets a good deal and you a good profit but do not take advantage of them by charging a ridiculous amount of money. A happy customer will not only come back again and again but will bring their friends.
Rule Four: Any profit is a good profit. You do not have to get "market value" to make money. Market values fluctuate wildly. A barnacle scimitar that is worth 12 plat today may only be worth 2 plat tomorrow. Some items never lose their value, such as moneybelts, snake charms, spidersilk, and shadowsilk but, all other items you should endeavor to make 1.5-2 times what you paid for it.
Rule Five: Thieves are a fact of life, deal with it. Don't carry a lot of coin and if you must carry it in as small a denomination as possible. Don't depart. Don't go into combat with anything you can't replace. Thieves, guilded or not, mainly steal because they like to and you're an easy target. They only pick on people they have a clear advantage over so never attack them. Delivering your goods safe and sound is worth more than they stole.
Rule Six: Make yourself known. Talk to your fellow Traders. Talk to your customers. Help dead people when you can. Always tip others generously (i.e 2-3 times whatever you think is appropriate.) Sell at the gem store, sell at the tables. Socialize.
Rule Seven: Never skim. Sell gem pouches and bundles but never take coin that is not offered to you. When selling other's goods never take more than your commission. A good reputation is worth it's weight in animite.
Rule Eight: Never sell for or assist those who have harmed you in the past. A leopard doesn't change it's spots. You don't have to be mean about it or impolite. Simply find a way to avoid helping out those who have caused you harm in the past.
Rule Nine: The greater the risk, the greater the risk. Big risks do not always pan out. Do not take great risks with your money, your goods or your life. You cannot make money while you are dead.
Rule Ten: Not everything is as it seems. Always double and triple check information. Always ask questions, poke around. A lot of places haven't been found by people simply because no one has looked.
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Nirveli's "Guide to Shopping"
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This is not really directed at my Guildmates since most of you know how to shop already. However I had a few things I needed to get off my chest (figuratively speaking).
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- Don't assume just cause something looks worthless that it is. One of my first finds was a pocketed vest. I picked it up and it turned out to be a very nice vest from a Pirate invasion. I've also rescued innumerable bits of jewelry and gems from near oblivion. Always stop and check if the item has some value that is not apparent.
- Not all that glitters is valuable. My favorite belt in the whole world that hold my 6 blades cost 2 silver new, and my favorite harness was a free gift. Not all things that have high appraisals, tons of jewelry or flashy names are valuable. Don't be taken in by glitter.
- If you want something buy it IMMEDIATELY. Don't sit around and say "gee I'd really love to own my own emerald-encrusted double-handed beheading axe engraved with a roaring sprite but I should shop around a bit first. If the item is common by all means shop around but if you come across something that makes your pockets itch buy it, you can always sell it later. Too many times I've passed something up to my eternal regret.
- Get to know all the shops Go EVERYWHERE. Every shop everywhere in the realms and make a list of items and prices. I've been duped a few times myself by nice looking items that I thought COULDN'T possible be from a shop.
- Get to know your seller. Buying a festival blade from someone outside the tent for twice its appraisal value seems like a great deal. Until the guy mysteriously always has nice blades at low, low prices and then the previous owners show up looking for them... Get to know the people who are selling and buy from them.
- If it is at a merchant and you want it, get it. Don't dawdle. Merchants are capricious characters who may be there weeks or only a few hours. Inventories DO change.
- Don't assume just because an item came from a quest or an invasion it couldn't be found anywhere else. Many items have multiple appraisals or origins.
- Don't belittle. Don't make fun of someone for what they are selling. Some people don't have any idea of what they are doing or what things are worth. Constructive advice is good but do so in private whispers or conversation.
- Don't be afraid to advertise what you are looking for. You may be surprised by how many people are looking to sell.
- Appraise the item. It takes a few seconds to make sure the item is what you want. Don't be stuck with a shoulder worn quiver when you wanted a belt-worn one.
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| Happy Shopping - Nirveli |
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