Image Designer Archive
Thread: Image Designer RIP-OFF
Page 1 of 9
Sparticusx
Sun May 30, 2004 1:15 pm
#1
This is rather ridiculous....
Yesterday I tried to get my stats migrated. The ID person kept LD'ing out. And never came back after a 15 minutes wait.
Today I find a master ID who wants 15k for 10 minutes work.
The whole of migrating stats is a royal pain now. You have no context for needing a person of ID to change your person's characteristics.
Even finding one of you online, has taken all day.
Flame me if you like. This game is getting worse and worse.
Just_Bri
Sun May 30, 2004 1:47 pm
#2
I am not going to flame you, but I will ask you this: How much money can you make in ten minutes?
As for all of your other points, I mostly agree. I can't speak for another player's connection difficulties, but the process of stat migrating is a pain. We didn't ask for it, and had no say in the fact that we got it or the method used to impliment it. We hare trying to get that changed, but the Developers are being silent about it.
KeyTokikoMima
Sun May 30, 2004 3:03 pm
#3
Just Bri makes a valid point. If I asked you to sit down and do nothing for 10 minutes for me, how much money would I have to pay you to make you do it? I'm betting 15k sounds pretty fair.
Some Image Designers do it for less if you're willing to come to Moenia, and keep the walls from... whispering... *shivers* at them. But unfortunately... or fortunately, they are a minority and hard to find. VERY hard to find, I'm discovering.
Also, if you told us your server name, we might be able to help you more. The ID forum community has lists of Image Designerson each server, and at least one of them in bound to be online at any given hour.
Tapa
Sun May 30, 2004 4:09 pm
#4
when I get novice image designer Im charging no less than 50K to non-guildies. Why? Cause Im an impatiant SoB and wont sit still playing with a strangers body for anything less. Consider yourself lucky that your only being charged 15K, and if your on eclipse dont expect me to do your stats for less than 80K.
CM_Ronin
Sun May 30, 2004 7:40 pm
#5
Mawie
Sun May 30, 2004 8:09 pm
#6
Just_Bri wrote:
We didn't ask for it, and had no say in the fact that we got it or the method used to impliment it. We hare trying to get that changed, but the Developers are being silent about it.
I was a master ID several months back, and since I enjoy knowing what's going on in my profession, I would frequently come and read the boards. You are very much mistaken by saying wedidn't ask for the ability to stat migrate!A huge suggestion from plenty of IDs was to grant us this ability to give a "personal trainer" kind of feel to the profession, and to give a vital function to a profession that really only was for looks before the mini publish. 
Ironically enough, the devs are listening to us...
Just_Bri
Sun May 30, 2004 8:13 pm
#7
Mawie wrote:
Just_Bri wrote:
We didn't ask for it, and had no say in the fact that we got it or the method used to impliment it. We hare trying to get that changed, but the Developers are being silent about it.
I was a master ID several months back, and since I enjoy knowing what's going on in my profession, I would frequently come and read the boards. You are very much mistaken by saying wedidn't ask for the ability to stat migrate!A huge suggestion from plenty of IDs was to grant us this ability to give a "personal trainer" kind of feel to the profession, and to give a vital function to a profession that really only was for looks before the mini publish.
Ironically enough, the devs are listening to us...
OK, I stand corrected. It is a moot point for myself though, because I am not opposed to migrating stats. I am opposed to the method they gave us for migrating those stats.
Rieanna
Sun May 30, 2004 8:37 pm
#8
Ha, you know what? I charge 15k for stat migration and guess what? Most people think that's a fair price. For the few who don't, I tell them to have a good time looking for someone cheaper than me.
Granted, there are a couple on my server who do it for about 10k, but I've been a Master ID (with three different toons, I restarted a couple of times) since October of 2003, I know the ins and outs of my profession, I love what I do, I love the customers, but my time is worth something, and if someone has a problem paying 15k for my time, when I have to sit around doing nothing, try to make conversation with someone who just wants to get in and out of the ID tent without even looking at me, well, you know what, I've earned that 15k.
Granted, there are a couple on my server who do it for about 10k, but I've been a Master ID (with three different toons, I restarted a couple of times) since October of 2003, I know the ins and outs of my profession, I love what I do, I love the customers, but my time is worth something, and if someone has a problem paying 15k for my time, when I have to sit around doing nothing, try to make conversation with someone who just wants to get in and out of the ID tent without even looking at me, well, you know what, I've earned that 15k.
Message Edited by Rieanna on 05-30-2004 08:41 PM
Mawie
Sun May 30, 2004 8:49 pm
#9
Just_Bri wrote:
I am opposed to the method they gave us for migrating those stats.
Aye. It does suck.
Actually, I think the whole timer thing sucks. I decided to go ID again (I love matching my clothing to my hair color) and the grind is taking forever. I am on ID IV under the entertainer tree right now, and I began it four days ago. I will go INSANE from boredomif I try to grind out parts of it.
And to the original poster, 15k is a bargain. Most people charge 50k. Not only should you not complain, but you should go offer yourself as a SLAVE to the kind soul who was willing to waste 10 minutes on you for such a small amount. Shame on you for being so stingy!
Bravoda
Sun May 30, 2004 8:56 pm
#10
This is assuming that you are:
1) at least a master scout/novice ranger with a master combat elite profession
2) the meat is any good (resource shifts frequently)
3) you are on Dathomir (ie paid the shuttle fare)
So basically, unless you are at the top of your profession(s) and you are in the right place at the right time, the above quote is quite unrealistic.
This is the attitude that annoys me. IDs assume that everyone can afford to pay a cool 10-15k for stat migration. They point out that they have to sit around and do nothing for 10 minutes, so its their "precious time" (yes, that is a quote) that is paid for. To this I say:
a) Stat migration doesn't cost any resources, unlike any of the crafter professions, including Smuggler (Slicing requires resources, as does Spice)
b) All crafters spend loads of time on surveying, harvesting, crafting and putting up their wares for sale, which easily takes at least 10 minutes per item, factories excluded
c) When a dancer/musician is buffing they can do nothing but dance/play for 10 minutes as well.They can only buff in a cantina. Do you see them charging 15k per buff across the board?
d) Another comparison is a doctor buff. This usually costs 10-12k. It enhances all stats except mind to over 2000 for over three hours on a high quality buff. To get such a high quality buff the doctor usually has to pay for extremely good quality resources, or harvest them him/herself. So that 10-12k has to cover the cost of the resources. This is not to mention the fact that the doctor has had to master the medic profession and then master doctor to get such good quality buffs...
d) Stat migration used to be a FREE option, although it took a considerable period of time (a couple days). Stat migrationis an esential element of the game. This is no longer a free option available to characters. This hits beginning characters particularly hard.
My point is that thecost IDs are charging for stat migration is not justified. This is especially the case for beginning characters who have to fork out 10-15k just to wear the shiny new suit of armour they just spent a week saving up for. While I am all for IDs getting more abilities in the community, slow stat migration should still be available. If players want to migrate their stats faster, then they can go and see an ID and compensate the ID for their time (at 8k per minute or whatever ridiculous rate they care to charge).
The ID community effectively has a captive customer baseand they know this. They should not be abusing this new position.
Just_Bri
Sun May 30, 2004 8:58 pm
#11
I ground my way up entertainer because I didn't have a choice. I am not grinding ID at all, and I really cannot determine if it was a bad desicion. I have completed sixty five stat migrations.I start to have problems continuing after about ten of them. Call me a pansy if you like, but it is really really rough. I just want to crawl into a hole when I walk into the tent and see anyone else in there.
Mawie wrote:
I am on ID IV under the entertainer tree right now, and I began it four days ago. I will go INSANE from boredomif I try to grind out parts of it.
Mawie
Sun May 30, 2004 9:28 pm
#12
It is more than easy to make the 10k-15k that the cheaper IDs demand. And it doesn't take being a master at anything or a trip to Dathomir. Yes, stat migration doesn't take resources, but it does take time. I would hate to sound cliche here, but time really is money. I have no desire to stat migrate when I get the ability because it does not seem like fun to me. Yeah, I agree, 50k is a bit steep, but can you imagine being stagnate for 10 minutes to help an other player, or would you rather be out running missions? I'd rather be out running missions personally.
And don't think I agree with the current system right now. Since I dropped TKM a few days ago, I realized I want to stat migrate to fit for surveying (because working on ID exclusively will send me to the loony bin)... but I am not going to because the idea of sitting in a tent with an other ID waiting for the change to happen does not thrill me. I'd rather buy food and chow down. 
Oh, and my last comment about the guy who was being stingy was kind of taking a jab at how inane it is to come to the boards for a profession and insult them. That isn't going to help him any, so why do it? I wasn't saying that Image Designers should be paid millions for simple tasks... it would be nice... but it is not realistic. 
Message Edited by Mawie on 05-31-2004 12:30 AM
Just_Bri
Sun May 30, 2004 9:31 pm
#13
The parts I cut out I am not contending, and so will not defend against.
One thing I didn't mention above: We are still pushing for changes to the system that make the whole experience less draining for all involved. If some of these issues are addressed, you can be sure that prices will drop.
Bravoda wrote:
This is the attitude that annoys me. IDs assume that everyone can afford to pay a cool 10-15k for stat migration.
Not all of us. What I say when someone asks me my price is this: "I workd for tips dear. I charge what you feel my service is worth." There are IDs out there who are flexable as far as payment is concerned. I recomend looking in the ID forums for the names of some IDs in your Galaxy and shoping around. I have done stat migrations for free. I did one migration in exchange for some sort of sporting excelence trophy for me to put in my house, knowing full well that the person trading it to me paid nothing for it. The least I have ever actually been paid for a migration was 600 credits, and the maximum was 30k all of the customers own free will, without holding them hostage. Do I expect to be paid? Yes. I could be out doing mission, but instead I am doing something that has a high chance of being incredibly boring and or mentally draining for no other reason than I know you can't get it any other way. Please do not lump all of us into your "extortionist" mindset.
They point out that they have to sit around and do nothing for 10 minutes, so its their "precious time" (yes, that is a quote) that is paid for. To this I say:
For a, b, c, and d there in some cases you are right, and in some kased you are "sorta" right. I am not going to elaborate on these, I don't contest them. I will make one point: I can only do six migrations in an hour, and that is with perfect timing. No amount of fanagaling or freverant wishing is going to speed that up. During that hour ( and you can be assured that there will always be one more person at the end of the line ) I am trying very hard to spur conversation in that tent with anyone who walks in just because I am trapped in it and cannot leave. Currently, stat migrations are not a pleasant game experinece. I know that I do not enjoy them. Since I am using my entire game session to migrate players stats, I feel that this warrents payment for things like my house and vehicle maintence. I also use excess money to buffer my Player community's treasury. Yes, I make a profit. I am not even mildly uncomfortable with that, and I will be able to sleep soundly at night. Most other professions are able to make a profit in what they do as well, and I am sure they sleep just as soundly.
d) Stat migration used to be a FREE option, although it took a considerable period of time (a couple days). Stat migrationis an esential element of the game. This is no longer a free option available to characters. This hits beginning characters particularly hard.
Yes, it used to be free. It was given to us specificly to generate income for Image Designers and to also give us a place in "the grand scheme of things". Paying for stat migrations is functioning as intended. And it hits only as hard as the market will bear. If you come strolling up with a large amount of very expensive equipment and a string of Mastery badges as long as my arm, you most assuridly will be charged more than someone wandering up looking like he just fell off the back of a shuttle. We IDs are not heartless, after all.
My point is that thecost IDs are charging for stat migration is not justified.
Idisagree, and I have said why. I challenge you to grind up to Novice ID, spendtwo hours migrating stats in the tent and then come and tell me that I am still not justified. IT. IS. TORTURE.
This is especially the case for beginning characters who have to fork out 10-15k just to wear the shiny new suit of armour they just spent a week saving up for.
I already addressed this point.
While I am all for IDs getting more abilities in the community, slow stat migration should still be available. If players want to migrate their stats faster, then they can go and see an ID and compensate the ID for their time (at 8k per minute or whatever ridiculous rate they care to charge).
This has been discussed. I don't think it will be modified, no matter how much I as an ID may argue for it. As for the "rediculous rate", I already addressed that point
The ID community effectively has a captive customer baseand they know this. They should not be abusing this new position.
I contend that the Player base has us captive. If we wantany money at all, we must migrate stats. As for exp from migrating stats: I could do work on myself for that amount. It is the worst. Please see my sig for some statistics on what kind of customer base I can expect. HAving just completed my sixty fifth stat migration, I can tell you what my play sessions are like. You don't want to hear it though, so I will spare everyone the read.
Page 1 of 9