Architect Archive
Thread: The solution to the price problem. Plain and Simple
Its really very simple. First thing is first. I've said it before and I'll say it again, as an Architect you will also be a miner. If your not, you can forget about ever turning a profit. The two go hand and hand. Secondly, if your buying from the bazzar you are definitly never going to make a profit. You should never pay more then 2.5 per unit when buying in bulk (In excess of 5k units). Miners are greedy, but if your a miner yourself, you never have to worry about it.
The Simple Solution. Sell your product at the price you feel is fair. Period. If you can't sell your stuff, sell your resources. Either way your making credits, which is the whole point.
I've used this method for a while now and it works fine. I get complaints, people get down right nasty with me. But in the end, its no so easy to find someone who has a Large Tatooine house on hand. They always argue that 'I can get it for soooo much cheaper!!!, your trying to rip me off" and then I simply explain to them. It cost me X to make it, I charge X and I make X profit. If you find someone who sells it cheaper, I suggest you go buy it from them. Simple as that. 90% of the people eventually come back to me because although you can get a better deal out there, its not easy to find.
How many times have I seen someone complain about my prices, then 15 minutes later.
"Auction Completed"
lol Every time.
I hope no one who plays this game ever owns a real business. This is the way of the customer. Of course they are going to give you a guilt trip (especially because it seems to be working in this game). Everyone buyer wants toget the most items for the least money. It's a law of econonmics. Just like the seller wants to sell the most items for the most money. Both can't get their way, so they bargain. I'm continually surprised at how many SWG players seemingly never took an macroeconomics course. As a seller you have to approach the seller looking to get the most profit, but you must also learn to comprimise. Set an absolute minimum for yourself and start higher and work down to that level slowly. You'll most likely sell before your price hits that price floor and that way you'll sell the most items for the most money based on what the market allows.
This comment is pointed at either of the two above me, more in general for people who need to get a clue (but are too greedy to be willing to pay for the lesson).
theAntipop43 wrote:As a seller you have to approach the seller looking to get the most profit, but you must also learn to comprimise. Set an absolute minimum for yourself and start higher and work down to that level slowly.
The problem with this is that MANY people do not like to haggle. I try to when I think it might help the sale but simply put, most people stone wall you when you tell them your starting price and don't want to even try and come to a comprimise. I've since given up and taken the point of view of MANY of our fellow architects. That being either buy the product as is or look somewhere else.
If I had tons of deeds just lying around I would be more willing to drop my prices, but the thing is whenever someone wants a house I have to stop what im doing, gather all my ore, and start shelling out the walls. If I have to do all this im not going to drop my prices. I always tell them it takes X amount of materials and I charge5credits per material. They usualy say So and So charge this. Its usually way cheap. I say at that price their losing money. I can sell all the materials for that price on the bazzaar with out even building anything.
As long as you explaning your prices they will be intrested.
I have tried many methods till I hit upon the one thats golden for me. I build my deeds, put them in my vending machine for the price I want, then make variuos non architect items and place them in the bazaar with directions to, and cost of, my deeds, and point out that my vending machine is always stocked so there is no waiting. This works very well for me, I sell out of all deeds I make with in a day or two for the prices I want with no haggling. When I do get a tell I simply say that business is so good that I must devote all my time to stocking my vending machine and that Ican not take orders becuase of this. This method atracts buyers simply becuase they can get what they want when they want it... no waiting... so they are willing to pay my prices, at least they must be because I literally sell out every night. Last night I moved 60 items in 24hrs. About 10 deeds and rest furniture and misc. The best thing about this is I have not yet had to haggle or explainto anycustomers, once I say I'm commited to stocking the machine and cant take orders the conversations always end there with a polite thank you from the inquirer.
Hope this helps some,
Drew
This reminds me of a PA mate who bought a pistol that he thought was pretty good from someone named Enott on Bloodfin server for 100k. Then he came to find out that he could have gotten a better version for 25k from a more reputable seller.
I accept the part about sticking to prices but then there are also some unreputable sellers out there as well.
:Currently, it's a buyer's market. It will be such until Christmas at least. Kinda like REAL Real Estate. That was redundant... 
I am a Master Architect and have had my 'issues' with the undercutters, but I have since come to terms with it -they will always be around. I refuse to sell at a loss. Let the undercutters cut their own throats. While they burn through their resources trying to keep up with the demands of the bargain hunters, I have been quietly stocking up on wonderful resources and the sales I do have are more than enough to cover the 'bills'. My resources are my true asset and I will not give them away. If someone wants, let us say -a food factory - I have it ready to go on my vender. There is no discussion on price. I sell them because they are available and ready to go at a fair price. Structure pricing is odd.....many players just want the deed handed over to them for next to free, then they will turn around and empty bank accounts for weapons!
In regards to 'fair' pricing. Sorry, selling high does not make one unreputable. While my structures move a bit more slowly, I sell furniture at an alarming rate. Much of this is due to location, location, location. I have frontage on Venders' Row at Theed. I was determined to have a wide selection avaialbe to clients at all times. I initially priced the furniture at structure rates and the stuff flew off thevender - I was a slave to vender restock! I upped the prices, and the stuff still sold out in hours. I hiked the prices even more, and it slowed down a bit. I then set the prices higher yet, to a point where I can actually do more than grind, run factories, and restock venders. I felt uncomfortable with the prices so high, but it is the law of supply and demand...I have it, I am convenient, and I have the selection. If someone wants to run 2k to some obscure shop and find the exact items for a lot less, then good! I may see you there since Ioften buy the stuff cheap and resell it to save my resources and time. Yes, I am also a Merchant, which is what has saved me from financial ruin and has alllowed me to stick to my structure prices.
I just want to make a point - just because someone is undercutting you doesn't mean that they are selling for a loss. I sell my items at significantly lower prices than others I've seen (about 50% less), and I still make a profit. I'm not rolling around in credits, but every day my bank roll increases by what I think is a nice amount (I write it down at the end of the day so I can see how I'm doing over time). I'm not in a PA, and I'm not borrowing lots from other people.
It really comes down to how much/little profit you consider a comfortable amount. If you want a higher profit margin, then go for it, who am I to critique you? If you sell for less than me, then I need to find a way to compete. Remember, competition doesn't always boil down to price. It can involve customer service or reputation, for example.