Architect Archive

When someone is placing a order for things that I normally don't stock (e.g., PA Halls, large planetary houses), sometimes they will say "I have most/all of resources you need - what is the price then?"

This varies from them really having 10K of ore up to them having every resource listed on swgcraft for that schematic. Obviously in that case what they want is to give me those resources and have me charge them an "assembly" fee for the deed.

My point of view is that I do a wide range of activities (mine resources, *manage* resources, plan production runs, manage inventory, etc) that all lead up to my being able to build something. I buy specific resources if I need to based on my production needs. Having crated power cores doesn't just happen by dropping raw materials into a box. My pricing structure reflects the total cost of producing things as well as my assessment of the marketplace demand for the item.

Historically I've told people "I don't buy a lot of resources, and when I do I get 'bulk' rates for them. In these quantities you are much better off selling those resources 'retail' and then just making it a cash deal with me."

Someone asked again a couple of days ago and it got me wondering what approach other people here take. And BTW, if you don't take custom orders, that's a fine approach. But I do, so I'm interested in hearing from others who take custom orders.

I knock off 2 cpu for any resources supplied. One customer said they couldn't afford my price for a pa hall, but offered me 97k of a very nice carbonate ore (which they could have sold for way more than the pa hall would have cost them).

I charge @ 5 cpu on items made. If a customer offers the resources, I will charge 2 cpu for the entire assembly.

Example. Someone wants me to make a deed. Deed requires 1000 resources, so Vendor price is5000. Said customer then offers to supply all 1000 resources. I warn of possible CF, and offer to complete for 2000 credits. I value my time as much as they do theirs.

I'm sure others have different opinions on this.

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Pawlin wrote:

I do trade for resources, but I kinda just make judgement calls.

I trade deeds for resources with my guild mates without any worries. SO if they want to give me 4 stacks of various metals for a factory then thats ok.

However when it comes to my public customers I really prefer to stick to large stacks of ore as trade and I treat the ore as equivalent to what I'd pay for it in bulk. e.g. if I'm paying 2.5 cpu for orethen 100k of ore is worth 250k of trade.

But more often than not people want to offer grind metals or high OQ stuff that I don't really need cause I've already got plenty. SO I just politely say "sorry I've really got all the high OQ aluminum that I need".

I'll also trade for other stuff if what they offer is appealing enough. I traded some deep crust chems for a bunch of good Stim-B crates. And if someone came up with some high OQ polymer then they'd get a real good deal from me in trade (we havn't seen anything above 900 in months).

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Notice that you just have to explore the different methods. Our friend P here is smart, he does not set limitations.

2 cpu mentioned for assembly is what I do too. However, don't let yourself get stuck with a barter that you lose money on. That's my rule.

Fivo Asia

Depends on the person. If they are nice and in a jam then yes I may consider the trade. If however it is obvious that they are trying to get over on me then no deal.

It is two seperate transactions as far as I am concerned. I have done this a few times to help out people that are currently cash disabled. Pa Hall 300k , they offer ore/copper/steel whatever if its something I can use I will buy it for about the going rate on the server, 2.5cpu maybe 3cpu take that amount discount that from the usual cost and bam you have your price. I think thats the fairest and/or easiest way to handle it.

I try to avoid resource trades whenever possible. Most people doing that don't have enough money to actually buy the structure and if there's a crit fail or bad experimentation on a structure, that always creates an awkward moment.

You feel bad for not doing well and the other person will always have in the back of his mind "did that guy just screw me...?"

There are exceptions though:

1. If the item they are trading is particularly useful to me then I'll do it.

2. If they're in a jam, I'll usually help them out. But that's always risky.

3. If it's a regular customer, I will extend credit instead.

Other than that, I tell them to sell the resources and come back with cash and I also refer them to at least two other architects that they can pitch their proposal to.

I'll take about any reasonable deal.

If you feel the deal is mutually beneficial, no reason to turn it down, right?

Ill pay 2cpu for any grinding metal or ore and will knock this straight of the price of anything I make .Dont buy high quality stuff tho