Architect Archive

I've been test driving a new strategy around and found it to be mildly successfull.

We all get the occassional /tell from someone blurting out "How much for a fusion generator" or "I need a guild hall" to which I usually reply "I'm doing fine - thank you for asking"

Anyway, when I get a blurt like that I always counter with not "My small house is 10.5K" but rather "What price are you looking for" and then not budge - wait for their price.

If it's low then simply say "Thank you for looking me up, unfortunately you're not in a range where it will be profitable for me to deal with you"

There's usually some back and forth with an explanation of why it's not profitable to produce a product for the range they're asking for. I haven't had any bad feelings from players, and I of course tell them that I'm sure they can find that price from someone and I wish them all the luck in the world.

We're not doormats - despite what some other classes may think!

I have to admit this thought has crossed my mind more than once. Rather than being put in the position to listen to some silly person say "what? ur crazy, I can get cheaper" it puts the architect in the position to say "what? ur crazy, I can get more" heh. Never done it mind you, but it does make me chuckle to consider the idea.

Tued the Master Builder

It works great, been doing it the whole time... It also filters out the people that want a guild hall, and think they cost 65k.

I have an email I sent to myself with my prices on it. Whenever someone asks, I just forward that email to them.

Since I'm on Test Center the number of rude/clueless folks running around is negligible, so that usually covers it.

On a live server, I'd probably put a note at the top like "These prices are not negotiable. If you can find someone to make it cheaper, please contact them."

Like Sneezy, I have an email that I sent to myself... however mine list the resources and components (and the resources for the components) needed to build some of the bigger stuff. This is usually frightening enough to most people that the pricing makes sense.

I haven't tried the "what are you looking to spend?" bit yet, but I think I will... great idea

Bah I assume I can sell raw materials for 4-5cr each, especially since I usually mine and use the best material available anyway. When they say its hi I usually say yeah I know you can probably get it cheaper somewhere else from someone who is lvling up but frankly its not worth my time to make something for you if I can sell the raw materials for more blame the weaponsmiths for driving up the prices. I then forward them the wp to my furniture shope and let them know that when they get thier house they should feel free to stop by as at least from what I hear I run one of the better stocked stores on my server along with the decorative items to go with it. I let them know that i'm willing to help them if they can't find it elsewhere and often give them the names of a few other architects who might be willing to help them. That being said I think its been over a month since I haven't had a backlog of over a week for large items. Oh sometimes I might squeak in a medium harvester or two or a small house on the tail end of a weeks resource move but usually i'm pretty busy. Be nice, polite and friendly, above all be honest about what you can do and expect to recieve. Even if they choose not to do business with you now knowing that you will do the right thing and deal with them fair and square will often cause them to come back at a later time.

How many of you are getting tells from people asking for free houses now?

Wookieehead: Can I get a small generic house.

Me: Yes, I sell them for 12K.

Wookieehead: I am broke.

Me:What a pity.

*gets on the shuttle home*

What is going on? Or there really that many bums getting in this game, or have the low-ballers given up on selling small houses for 3K and are just giving them away now?

Umm...

I don't have a problem quoting prices myself, and I sell all sorts of items, not just Arch ones. Anytime someone has told me they can get the same item somewhere else cheaper, my response is generally about the same everytime "Well, I won't sell it for that, but I thank you for your interest, and if you need anything else in the future, please contact me, and hopefully my price will be more in line with what you think is reasonable".

Bottom line is, I set my prices at what I want, and since I don't seem to have much problem finding customers, I think I'm in the right ranges. If they can get a better deal elsewhere, they should obviously do that, but I don't have a "I will match all competitor's prices" gaurenty hanging on the side of my vendor, so I feel absolutely no guilt if someone thinks my prices are too high. They aren't forced to buy from me, and I'm not forced to sell for thier price, in at least this regard, there is a free market in this game.

Vorgus on Bria

I got a tell last night asking how much for personal mineral extractors and wind generators. "I have a large order," he says. Had some on the vendor for a month that weren't moving so I quote 1.5k. Gives me 3cpu and a good deal for him. Not to mention there are plenty out there for less. The guy has the nerve to come back and say I want 16 personals and 4 wind gens at 500cr each, "That's 10k for you."

Being polite I explain it costs me 400units of resources per and wouldn't be worth the time or the money at that cost. He then says, "I'm standing next to a vendor that has them for 1k each."

My reply, "Buy 'em that's a good price. Have a great evening."

I must admit early on in the grind I fell into the trap of selling myself short, but even if I'm bordering on broke, I no longer shoot myself in the foot.I just need to waste my skill points on the last 3 useless construction levels and can hang that Master sign over my head. Though I can imagine the spam that will bring.

For now I quietly collect my resources and sell to those that realize this indie. architect will deliver on time and in person. Already getting repeats and referrals. Also I've learned to keep one vendor stocked with furniture at a markup of 10cpu. Sells well and feeds the harvesters.

Unsolicited Requests for pricing don't bother me in the slightest. Hey, if I have the resources and can help out another person and make a little extra cash, then everyone wins. I can't complain. If people say that they can get it cheaper, then I simply tell them that I'm sorry I couldn't help them and that I appreciate their inquiry. I always try to leave them with a good opinion of me because, one day, they may need some structures made and their regular arch isn't on. They need quick service, so they look me up and are willing to pay my prices.

I appreciate all requests for pricing. And with my network of resource suppliers, there isn't much I can't build w/in about three hours.

Anian

I treat customers with the same respect they treat me.

If I get a tell for a price, I will respond with that price.

If I get a response that is "ok thanks" or "ok thanks but thats overpriced" or even "thats overpriced nm" I respond with an "ok" or "ok, sorry I coulnt help you"

BUT.. if the reponse comes back the any of these key words/phrases...

LOL, crazy, mkaaay, ripoff, with any hint of malise or sarcasm...

I return the same treatment.

You may say that being rude to a customer, even if that is the way they treated me, is bad business. It is the kind of business I dont want.. ever! If I played this game to pay the rent, I would have to grit my teeth and bear it, but since I play for enjoyment, I wont, and don't.

No amount of money in this game is worth it to me to have some uninformed foul mouthed, immature person send me insulting tells for the singular purpose of gaining something.

I had someone do that to me last week, after I quoted a price of 10.5k on a small house. After a lengthy debate, with me giving logical reasons, and countering with with"lol" "cuz" and "*grunt* *scratch* my friend makes it cheaper", I ask him why then doesnt his friend make it for him. After the silence I proceed to ban him from my shop.

Funny thing happened though. I got tells for the next three or four days asking other prices, which I in turn ignored. Guess his friend was just some imaginary friend that could not build the house.

Could that friend have been just some lie to bully me into making something cheap? Hmmmm.