Doctor Archive
Thread: Buffing Experience
Page 1 of 3
Eurynome
Tue May 04, 2004 1:47 am
#1
Such things might've already been spammed over here, but I would like to recall a daunting buffing experience of mine and apologize up front if this is getting old to the veteran doctors. It was the second time I was ever buffing the public. Alas, I'm not that experienced with buffing yet, and am wondering if this is what it's like for you guys as well (yeah, I've read some of the horrifying buffing experiences posted on this forum before).
It was a beautiful morning on Dantooine Mining Outpost as I peered about, almost ready for what I was about to start doing. A quick visit to the cantina removed the minor mind scars last night's hunt had marked me with, and I carefully listened to the sounds of the outpost, looking for signs of other doctors advertising buffs. There was only one.
Tipping the dancer I had been staring at for five minutes, I ran out of the cantina and prepared myself. I made the final check to see that I had enough buff packs andthat my toolbar&announcement macro were still intact. All looked fine. Yet I felt nervous. Soon I would have an angry mob of so called customers ahead of me.
I sat down, checked the power on my droid and seeing that it was fine, announced that I was now officially buffing.
The other doctor was attracting a long line of customers. She was a master doctor, which I am not, and her buffs were far superior to mine. Plus my buffs were only 2k cheaper than hers (my price was 10k, hers was 12k), so only a shorter line should attract some customers to use my services. I had all the necessary information in my announcement that I was spamming, with the buff stats (a tad over 2000 for 3 hours), straight line, battle fatigueand tipping only when I call a name mentioned there. I managed to chat a bit with the other doctor before the first customer arrived.
"You buffing?" he asked via a tell, as he was standing right in front of me.
"Yes, I am, 2000 to all stats for 3 hours at the price of 10k" I replied in spatial, thinking to myself he had obviously missed my announcement.
Another tell: "What are the stats and how much?"
----
Time went by and more customers arrived until I, too, had a long line in front of me. One out of ten customers complained about the price. The first ones are the worst, because you tend to try and explain why it costs so much.
"That's way too overpriced," the customer said. "I was once a doc too, you know, and I never charged that much!"Yet he still wanted the buffs.
"It's probably the raise in the price of avian meat that causes an increase in buff prices. Although, in my case it's more about the time I have tospend buffing," I responded.
After I had buffed him fully, the conversation continued: "Well your time is overpriced for the market".
----
After a while came the happy and so common an event for me with SWG: a crash. Of course I was still buffing with a long line. It's always nice to log back on after five-ten minutes (it takes me at least5 minutes- probably longer, since recently Ihardly everget back on with the first try) and find yourself in a tell hell. Things like "**edit**?" and "where's my buff! I already tipped!" appeared on my screen.
It seems to be of no use to explain to the customer that I had crashed and am sorry that they had to wait longer. "Of course I'll still buff you". All you get back,when lucky,is a growl.
After 30 minutesI crashed again.
----
Then there are the people with inconsiderate requests.
I received a cheerful tell: "I'm going hunting. Can you come and rez me if I die?"
Ehh, damn. I really would like to, you know, but... "No, I'm sorry, I'm buffing right now and have a long line," I replied.
Then I noticed he was standing right beside me. I guessthe fact that I wasbusyand had a long linewas irrelevant. He might've called me some names, because I was a damn smug doctor who didn't care if people die or not (god knows I've heard that before), but that was just in my head. I don't really know because this is whenI crashed again.
----
Luckily the bank scam is not an issue anymore. People really do like to bank tip. About half of the people I buffed tipped from the bank. Some come for training, some need their wounds healed, and some have bizarre requests. The thing is if you're a doctor and you have your title up and, even worse, you happen to be buffing at the moment, you're constantly in a tell hell. It doesn't seem to help that you spam the spatial every now and then, announcing your buff stats and price. They get asked via tell anyway, and all the time.
I had this girl toon sit next to me for quite some time before I realized maybe she wanted something from me (she wasn't in the line). She did. She wanted to get trained and had mentioned it in spatial, which I, surprisingly, had missed entirely. Luckily she was also putting my medical droid to good use as she was crafting while waiting there for me to respond - or that's what she claimed anyway. I did appreciate her being patient about it, though.
----
As I was about to end buffing (thank god for a third doctor appearing) when my line was finally getting shorter, I didn't even bother debating the price with the customers. So many complain about it, and I just nodded in response. Yeah, maybe 10k is a lot to ask for 2k buffs, but I paid about 3,5k for the packs and am buffing simply for profit. If you have read the above, you might understand why I do not enjoy buffing the public, which also contributes a big lump to the price. Is it this bad for you guys as well?
The last customer of the eveningtipped me 15k, and had a lot of battle fatigue, so I was buffing him for +1500 to all stats. "A buff is a buff," he simply said and refused to take up on my offer to renew his health buff after he had healed the battle fatigue at the local cantina.
The day was at an end, and it felt I had been sitting there for ages, just buffing...and buffing...and...
Sure, looking at my bank account was comfortable, but the experience most certainly was... something else. Very hectic and stressing, at least, with a hint of... something else. I'm not quite sure what that something else is yet.But I know Iwill do it again sometime. I'm hoping it can't be this bad all the time. Maybe when my buffs get better... Just maybe.
Gooney
Tue May 04, 2004 2:05 am
#2
Having been a doctor myself I completely understand the gist of your mail. While I enjoyed being a doctor I finally decided to give it up. I gave all of my buffpacks to a noob doctor that was skilling up (full set of 89 med use 860, and a full set of 91 med use 898-900 packs). I wished him good luck then dumped doc cold turkey. Suddenly a giddy feeling of freedom descended on me.
No more public buffing to an eager and well paying, (if sometimes rude) public. Most, in all honesty were very friendly and I would like to thank them all....so Thank you players of Ahazi.
Doctor and any combat prof is in truth a credit generation machine. But the ol med droid gets to be a bit of a burden after a while.
I wish you luck in you career. I think you will find doc profitable and fullfilling, I did and will one day likely come back to it.... Especially if the Space Expansion implements a Medical Cruiser or some sort o space hospital...that would be cool.
For now Im off to hunt.
-Gooney
Healya
Tue May 04, 2004 2:56 am
#3
I feel for ya! But, if you continue to buff the public...I'm sorry to say that you will have more days like this. Welcome to the club 
Here's my story for the day:
/set the scene
*a busy, busy day on a far away planet at the outer rim of the galaxy*
I log in to find myself at the cantina-exactly where I left myself. I can *totally* hear the engines running on the shuttle just outside the door. So I happily hop to my feet and do a crazy burst run to the ticket machine! Run out the door and click the droid like mad!! WOW! Just my luck! I get the full "10 min" shuttle wait! How close was that!?!
Anyway, I laugh it off and decide to talk in guild chat for a bit. When this guy approaches me....this is how the conversation goes:
Rude Dude: Buff me!!!
Me: Are you talking to me?
Rude Dude: Yes! Buff me plzzzzzz!
Me: Well, ok...since you said, "plzzzz!" But, I don't have bivoli on me atm. The stats w/o it will be a bit over 2200.
Rude Dude: Well go get some! And hurry! And come back!!!!!
Me: errrr...NO!!!
Rude Dude: I'll even pay you if you want! What..like 8k????
Me: *sits back in my chair and gets a nice warm fuzzy feeling inside...giggling..enjoying the moment.*
HauntingMisery
Tue May 04, 2004 5:28 am
#4
My absolute favorite question that I get asked all the time is, "what are your stats on the buff packs?" I can be the only doc on the whole planet and they still have a thousand questions for me about my buff packs. Like we need the extra /tell's to spam our spatial anyway. Also, I found out that when I attempt to ignore my /tell's the "public" starts sending emails offering crazy amounts of money for a buff. Seriously, way too many people depend on the buffs to go about their everyday SWG lives.
afewitryte
Tue May 04, 2004 6:18 am
#5
Yes I to love that question, "what are the stats on your buffs?" I am the only doctor around..I have a line in front of me with a macro running stating what the stats are. What gets me is that if I am the ONLY doctor around who is buffing..what does it matter what the stats are? Are you really gonna leave if the stats on my buffs are not to your liking..uh..NO! Now, if there are other docs around, I can' t blame them for shopping for the best buff...but when it is just me....you can either take it or leave it.
Buffing the public is rewarding only monetarily...other thatn that it is a royal pain in the butt. I only do it on occasion now because it is stressful. I don't like to buff in coronet cuz the lag is sooo bad and there are enough doc's there already. If I do buff, it is on Dant at the mining outpost...plenty of customers and usually about the time I am ready to go, another doc shows up 
Ariven
Tue May 04, 2004 8:12 am
#6
afewitryte wrote:Yes I to love that question, "what are the stats on your buffs?" I am the only doctor around..I have a line in front of me with a macro running stating what the stats are. What gets me is that if I am the ONLY doctor around who is buffing..what does it matter what the stats are? Are you really gonna leave if the stats on my buffs are not to your liking..uh..NO!
Actually yes, if your stats do not reach my own cost per buff preferance I will not waste my time in line to get them..
that is part of why I got an alt and mastered doc.. if I have to I can load up my personal buff [censored] and deal with it myself. Your price and power on buff dictates how much of a hassle it is for me to find some alternate solution.. Also, for most of the stuff I do when not out and out hunting high level creatures for a "Hunt", buffs are extra and a bonus to what I am doing.. I am willing to take my chances with pixie and a prayer..
I am willing to pay decent money for buffs, but not a dime for crappy buffs.. they just build a false sense of comfort..
Moppith
Tue May 04, 2004 10:36 am
#7
i find the best way to make money as a doc is to find somewhere where there is a fair few people but no doc at the time
shove on that master doc title of yours and start answering the tell hell with "sorry im away to go out hunting, i dont really feel like buffing right now" then await the "ill pay you 20k+ if you buff me"
at which points i dont really like to refuse!
while your standing their buffing you often get others coming up and asking for price, so a simple reply "well i am rather busy, im only buffing this guy because he paid me 20k" seriously.... i have made over 500k of 1 set of packs (30uses) simply because i WASNT actually planning on buffing!
people depend on buffs TOO MUCH!!
i remember as a 4-2-2-3 TKA going out in a large group to hunt rancors, nobody was buffed, 1 of us had compo armor and i had lower end ubese armor! i cant remember having such a fun time since then!
and i dont always do this btw my standard buff price is 10k which im chimmy seems to be cheap now! hell even in coronet i see docs charging 15k+
unless its for pvp people dont seem to realise that a 1700-2000 suffices for hunting, they seem to think that the 2.5k buff will somehow make them do better, even though they have 80%+ kinetic compo!
ah well, till the public learns i will continue to take advantage of them.
Marrow1
Tue May 04, 2004 11:31 am
#8
Moppith, you and I must think alike. I do the exact same thing.
I mix it up a bit with...
"Sorry, I only buff guildmates for free. However, for 20k I can give you temp guildmate standing that lasts for 5 min"
I only give the rude people that responce.
The key thing to note is that if they ask you for the buff then they really want it and they will really pay for it. If they don't thats cool with me. I got other things to do anyway.
Kaili
Tue May 04, 2004 11:36 am
#9
So as an aspiring Master Doc, this is what I have to look forward to, eh? Ah, well, bring it on.
Eurynome
Wed May 05, 2004 2:25 am
#10
Ahh Kaili, such bravery. I recall I was like that before I ended up on these forums. 
Anyway thanks for your responses. I knew that fellow Doctors might be able to relate with the experience I had. I'm happy to say my next buffing session was not quite so bad.
Btw Datto, perhaps you should "advertise" the channel you mentioned in-game more?
bioshock
Wed May 05, 2004 5:14 am
#11
When I'm working the buff line, what I do is set my afk message to be basically the same as my spam. My spam is set to repeat every 60 seconds.
In both I include the power/duration of the buffs, the cost, and the terms (bank tip to get in line) and a statement that fatigue over 250 will lower their buffs (even though in my experience it's actually 300 that is the point where it becomes noticable).
If someone asks me how much, or what the stats of the buffs are, I just ignore them. For those watching spacial, they'll (usually) still be standing there waiting the next time the spam runs, and since they are waiting for my response anyway, they usually do see it. Sometimes they can't wait 60 seconds though, so they'll send me a tell. Either way they get their question answered.
I've noticed that quite a few people understand the protocol and will just sent me a tell of "." or "ping" in order to trigger my afk, and this is great.
The only real hassle is when someone ignores the instructions and tips normally, as 9 times out of 10 I won't even notice that they did it. If I do notice, I tip it back to them, otherwise they will eventually send me a tell asking if I got the money and I will tell them that I do not see them in my email list. This is when they tell me that they didn't bank tip, and I tell them they should have read the spam.
At that point I tip the price of the buff back to them, and tell them to bank tip if they want to get in line.
Occasionally you will get the stooge who just tips it right back you normally. Not much you can do about that. I just tip it back to them again and tell them if they do it again, I'll keep it and they won't get a buff. That usually stops them. I also make sure to tell them that in spacial, not tells, as I want everyone to know that there is a limit to the amount of foolishness I'm willing to tolerate.
The only other thing is that with a long line, people do want to know where they are in line, so about every 5 people or so I'll type out the names still in the list in the order they are in my email. If somene asks "how long is the line" I just say, "8 right now at about 2.5 minutes each" (yes, it doesn't take that long for each one, but I like to over-estimate a bit to relax the pressure some). Naturally, when I do this there will be someone who asks "where am I in line" about 10 seconds after I just posted the list... for those I tell them I just posted the list so scrollback and find it. Actually, I rarely have to say anything, as someone else who is in line will usually make that point for me.
If an entertainer wants a one-stat buff I'll do them next rather than make them wait in line. I also don't charge entertainers for a one-stat. If they want to pay fine, but they don't have to. I've done entertainer and they really don't get a lot of tips and it is a grind.
If someone wants to pay more to get bumped to the head of the line, I tell them no and they always respond with, "but I'm in a hurry" and I respond with, "who isn't?".
If someone tips to get in line, and then heads for the cantina to lower their fatigue, I will hold their place in line and when they get back I will do them next. Same with any who drop connect while waiting (happens at least a couple times in every buff line I've done). When they finally get re-connected, I'll do them next.
I will only heal wounds while buffing if someone is in the buff line -and- the wounds are big enough to justify using a woundpack (over 30 or so wounds). In that case when it is their turn I will heal their wounds (normally only health and action anyway from an un-cloned death) before I start the buff. If they ask me to heal their wounds and I diag and see like 6 action wounds, I tell them "sorry you don't have enough wounds for me to justify using meds, but there should be a medic around who can take care of that for you after the buff finishes". For the ones that just walk up and start spamming "ne1 heel my wuinds" - I just ignore them.
I will heal disease for anyone who asks. I tell them to wait until the current buff finishes, and I heal their disease (and any serious wounds) before I do the next buff. So far, no one has ever complained about me stopping to heal a disease. I never charge for healing wounds or disease, but most will usually tip something anyway.
When I'm out in the field I wear my title, and if someone sends me a tell asking for a buff, I tell them sure, but they have to come to me (so far no one has had a problem with that). If I'm just about done with my second mission, I'll send them the wp to whatever mission terminal I'm using, otherwise I give them my coords. I don't charge anything extra for this, because they took the time to come to me, and it's really no skin off my nose to do a quick buff for someone. Normally though, they will tip more than I charge, which is fine - up to them though, I don't care if they do or not.
If someone sends me a tell for a res and I'm buffing I just tell them "sorry, got a buff line going and can't just run off". If I'm out in the field I ask where they are, and usually they are are far enough away that I can honestly tell them, "it won't work, there is a timer and by the time I get there I won't be able to revive you anyway".
If I'm at a dungeon or poi (tusken or geo or whatever) I take my title off. When my buffs are about worn off, I'll head outside, change out of my armor, pull out my droid and put on my title. I'll shout a few times that I will be buffing for the next 10 minutes if anyone needs a buff. If I get tells for a res during that time (I usually do) I tell them "no sorry, I'm buffing".
Overall, it's a lot less stressful once you learn:
A) When to ignore someone - just because they demand your attention does not make you responsible to give it to them.
B) When to say "no" - people don't like to hear it, but that's life. If you can't or don't want to, that's a perfectly legitimate reason to say no.
In both I include the power/duration of the buffs, the cost, and the terms (bank tip to get in line) and a statement that fatigue over 250 will lower their buffs (even though in my experience it's actually 300 that is the point where it becomes noticable).
If someone asks me how much, or what the stats of the buffs are, I just ignore them. For those watching spacial, they'll (usually) still be standing there waiting the next time the spam runs, and since they are waiting for my response anyway, they usually do see it. Sometimes they can't wait 60 seconds though, so they'll send me a tell. Either way they get their question answered.
I've noticed that quite a few people understand the protocol and will just sent me a tell of "." or "ping" in order to trigger my afk, and this is great.
The only real hassle is when someone ignores the instructions and tips normally, as 9 times out of 10 I won't even notice that they did it. If I do notice, I tip it back to them, otherwise they will eventually send me a tell asking if I got the money and I will tell them that I do not see them in my email list. This is when they tell me that they didn't bank tip, and I tell them they should have read the spam.
At that point I tip the price of the buff back to them, and tell them to bank tip if they want to get in line.
Occasionally you will get the stooge who just tips it right back you normally. Not much you can do about that. I just tip it back to them again and tell them if they do it again, I'll keep it and they won't get a buff. That usually stops them. I also make sure to tell them that in spacial, not tells, as I want everyone to know that there is a limit to the amount of foolishness I'm willing to tolerate.
The only other thing is that with a long line, people do want to know where they are in line, so about every 5 people or so I'll type out the names still in the list in the order they are in my email. If somene asks "how long is the line" I just say, "8 right now at about 2.5 minutes each" (yes, it doesn't take that long for each one, but I like to over-estimate a bit to relax the pressure some). Naturally, when I do this there will be someone who asks "where am I in line" about 10 seconds after I just posted the list... for those I tell them I just posted the list so scrollback and find it. Actually, I rarely have to say anything, as someone else who is in line will usually make that point for me.
If an entertainer wants a one-stat buff I'll do them next rather than make them wait in line. I also don't charge entertainers for a one-stat. If they want to pay fine, but they don't have to. I've done entertainer and they really don't get a lot of tips and it is a grind.
If someone wants to pay more to get bumped to the head of the line, I tell them no and they always respond with, "but I'm in a hurry" and I respond with, "who isn't?".
If someone tips to get in line, and then heads for the cantina to lower their fatigue, I will hold their place in line and when they get back I will do them next. Same with any who drop connect while waiting (happens at least a couple times in every buff line I've done). When they finally get re-connected, I'll do them next.
I will only heal wounds while buffing if someone is in the buff line -and- the wounds are big enough to justify using a woundpack (over 30 or so wounds). In that case when it is their turn I will heal their wounds (normally only health and action anyway from an un-cloned death) before I start the buff. If they ask me to heal their wounds and I diag and see like 6 action wounds, I tell them "sorry you don't have enough wounds for me to justify using meds, but there should be a medic around who can take care of that for you after the buff finishes". For the ones that just walk up and start spamming "ne1 heel my wuinds" - I just ignore them.
I will heal disease for anyone who asks. I tell them to wait until the current buff finishes, and I heal their disease (and any serious wounds) before I do the next buff. So far, no one has ever complained about me stopping to heal a disease. I never charge for healing wounds or disease, but most will usually tip something anyway.
When I'm out in the field I wear my title, and if someone sends me a tell asking for a buff, I tell them sure, but they have to come to me (so far no one has had a problem with that). If I'm just about done with my second mission, I'll send them the wp to whatever mission terminal I'm using, otherwise I give them my coords. I don't charge anything extra for this, because they took the time to come to me, and it's really no skin off my nose to do a quick buff for someone. Normally though, they will tip more than I charge, which is fine - up to them though, I don't care if they do or not.
If someone sends me a tell for a res and I'm buffing I just tell them "sorry, got a buff line going and can't just run off". If I'm out in the field I ask where they are, and usually they are are far enough away that I can honestly tell them, "it won't work, there is a timer and by the time I get there I won't be able to revive you anyway".
If I'm at a dungeon or poi (tusken or geo or whatever) I take my title off. When my buffs are about worn off, I'll head outside, change out of my armor, pull out my droid and put on my title. I'll shout a few times that I will be buffing for the next 10 minutes if anyone needs a buff. If I get tells for a res during that time (I usually do) I tell them "no sorry, I'm buffing".
Overall, it's a lot less stressful once you learn:
A) When to ignore someone - just because they demand your attention does not make you responsible to give it to them.
B) When to say "no" - people don't like to hear it, but that's life. If you can't or don't want to, that's a perfectly legitimate reason to say no.
Kaili
Wed May 05, 2004 6:24 am
#12
Eurynome wrote:
Ahh Kaili, such bravery. I recall I was like that before I ended up on these forums.
Lol, well luckily for me I got on the forums first. Made 3/4/4/1 last night, so really only a bit of crafting to go before I get into all this.
Marrow1
Wed May 05, 2004 9:06 am
#13
Oh god guys please don't spam yell your buffs stats when you already have a line going. It gets so old and just clutters up the world.
Instead make a reply macro or a tell target macro so that you send the info right to the person. It is much better for everyone. Place the macro in a hot key and when someone asks then just hit the hot key with all the info.
Even if you are spaming the crap in yells in spacial no one reads that stuff. I sure don't. You wind up getting the same questions anyway.
Here are a few examples:
/r I am charging 10k a set. My buffs hit for 2.2k per stat and last about 3 hrs. Please pay only when it is your turn. I will prompt you with another tell when your next in line.
/t %NT Your next. Please be ready to tip me with the 10k and I will start buffing you.
Page 1 of 3