Merchant Archive
Thread: Vendor Poaching -- What is a VIABLE Solution?
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Maisland
Thu Jun 17, 2004 5:05 am
#1
I just thought I would list the problems for a non-merchant that leads to what you call vendor "poaching."
The PROBLEM:
I have a BE on Eclipse. In order to be a GOOD BE, I cannot spare the skill points for Artisan, let alone Business 3/Merchant.
The bazaar is not a viable option to sell the pets, tissues etc that I make as there is both a 25 item limit and a 6k price cap.
Offering my products to a merchant's vendor is not a viable option as the 25 item limit on the bazaar includes offers to vendors.
I know of no merchants that would purchase my items.
I have too many items to sell to just store them in my house.
At this time, I find that the only way that I can get my items on the market at the prices they are worth would be to pick up Artisan, get a vendor, then drop that profession in order to pick up the skills I need to be a good BE. So, as I see it, those who are against vendor "poaching" would rather I be a mediocre BE if I want to be able to sell my items and spend the points I need to be a good BE on Artisan/Merchant. There are several posts about how we BEs are supposed to sell our items on the BE forum.
Just HOW am I supposed to sell my items?
One SOLUTION:
There MUST be a better way. A first step would be to GET RID of the 25 item cap if the items are offered to VENDORS. If such items were also put directly up for sale (with a fee payable to the merchant who owns the vendor much like the one the bazaar charges for listings there) I would be MORE than happy to sell my items that way. Unfortunately, vendors do NOT WORK THAT WAY!
If you are going to ask the devs to stop people who do not have merchant skills from having vendors, please, please, PLEASE also ask for some method by which a NON-merchant would be able to USE a MERCHANT to sell their goods FOR THEM.
If you are going to be RETAILERS, give the CRAFTERS a BETTER means of selling to you.
I ask all of you "REAL" Merchants to add SOLUTIONS to the problem to this thread because if there were a VIABLE means of selling through a merchant, then vendor "poaching" would not happen.
If merchant is broken, it is in part because it is so HARD for a non-merchant to use one effectively.
nefarious
Thu Jun 17, 2004 5:35 am
#2
The way Merchant SHOULD work is that, as a merchant, you come to me and say "I need a vendor to sll my BE things", we set up terms such as a % of the sale I get as commission, then I either drop a vendor in your house, or if I have a mall with vendors I give you access to one of them to sell your things. When the item sells, you get your payment and I get whatever % we agreed on as that is a setting that allows you to access my vendor.
The nice thing about this system is it allows multiple people to be on the same vendor, or as a merchant you could give someone a dedicated vendor for a higher fee.
This system would work that you as the BE have access to the vendor to sell your items like you have with a vendor now. If the vendor is being used by others, you can see those items for purchase, but they wouldn't show up under your sales tab, same as the merchant, you can see anything that is being sold on it, however you have no control over the items in the vendor.
This is how I would have the mechant profession and how I believe it was originally thought to be.
DingoBoi
Thu Jun 17, 2004 5:45 am
#3
I fail to see your problem. please detail your skill point expenditures.
and the only viable solution is to stop you exploiting theives.
/throws eggs
BountyBlunter
Thu Jun 17, 2004 6:17 am
#4
Hmm.. I said this in another thread I think.. To another BE..
Novice Artisan up to Buisness IIIfor a vendor. - 226/250sp remaining.
Novice Scout up to Hunting IV to stem to BE and Exploration II for mask scent. - 192/250sp remaining.
Medic Organic Chemistry IV to stem to BE - 163/250sp remaining.
Master Bio Engineer - 100/250sp remaining.
So, lets examine the options from here on in with the one hundred measly skill points you have left after gaining master bio-engineer, your stems (with mask scent)and your 'coke machine' vendor.
Basic Professions.
- Master Any Basic Profession, with mixedsp left over to dabble depending on your choice.
OR !
Elite Professions.
- Master Teras Kasi.
- Master Fencer.
- Master Swordsman.
- Master Pikeman.
- Master Rifleman.
- Master Pistoleer.
- Master Carbineer.
(any of which leave 8sp)
From what I can see here, your options are not limited as you say and I didn't bother to spend the time to put together all your options..
What's this skill point problem you have again ?
AngusMacGregor
Thu Jun 17, 2004 6:39 am
#5
Some other info for ya... if you offer a pack to a vendor with 50 items in it, it only counts as one item. So technically, you can offer 25 packs each with 50 items in it, for a total of 1250 items.
Andymantium
Thu Jun 17, 2004 7:11 am
#6
I'm not sure what the issue is, you seem to have ample free skill points...
Songe
Thu Jun 17, 2004 7:19 am
#7
I assume you have some doc to be able to make the stim components. Well you can't do everything by yourself, that's not how the game works. You can prolly find a doc willing to make schematics for you for a fee if you can't find a merchant. Of course that's assuming that the reason why you are so short on points is because of doc.
mhal9000
Thu Jun 17, 2004 10:01 am
#8
Best case scenario would be for the Devs tocode inconsignment sales, where the existing merchant would allow you to put items up for sale on his vendor for a % of the revenue.
Or if you want to keep everything in house, figure out what you need to drop to get Novice Artisan and Bus 1-3.
Maisland
Thu Jun 17, 2004 1:18 pm
#9
AngusMacGregor wrote:
Some other info for ya... if you offer a pack to a vendor with 50 items in it, it only counts as one item. So technically, you can offer 25 packs each with 50 items in it, for a total of 1250 items.
I am aware of this. The problem is, I don't know/can't find a merchant to work with me. Would YOU buy a pack of 50 items (each of which is priced at over 10k) without being able to know what those items are? There is also the problem of obtaining packs... I would need Domestic Arts 4 in order to make them myself... and buying them would be another hassle.
Maisland
Thu Jun 17, 2004 1:58 pm
#10
Songe wrote:
Well with good tools I am sure that merchants would be willing to do it. The problem currently is that you have to buy everything to sell it again, which requires a big investment without knowing what will sell and what won't... so it's not worth it. Or the crafter has to totally trust the merchant and it's pretty hard as well. But I'm sure that you would have more chance finding a merchant with this kind of deal.
This is definitely a big part of the problem... first you have to FIND someone, then you have to TRUST them.
As for all the "you have plenty of skill points, so what is the problem?" posts... I have 2 accounts and have made 14 characters on 7 servers. I have TRIED making characters with more than 3 basic professions and believe me, it just does NOT WORK... not even if you only train one or two lines in the profession. You end up being a Jack of all trades, master of none. Every single time, I have ended up having to drop all but 2 or 3 of the basic professions... and since as a BE, I MUST have 2 (scout and medic) plus some COMBAT SKILL, that takes up all 3 of the maximum basic professions a character is capable of having without running out of skill points. I am not a holo-grinder, I am a dedicated BE. Suggestions that would be viable for a holo-grinder do not help me.
Funny how I keep getting told "you can't do it all by yourself" followed by "you have plenty of skill points to be able to do it all by yourself."
I personally, find merchant boring. I would much rather work with a merchant played by someone else than have vendors of my own. Merchants, however, seem to be harder to find than IDs.
DingoBoi
Thu Jun 17, 2004 2:16 pm
#11
if there were a VIABLE means of selling through a merchant, then vendor "poaching" would not happen.
If merchant is broken, it is in part because it is so HARD for a non-merchant to use one effectively.
I can't believe you wrote this. Vendor poaching happens regardless of the tools available, because simply, people can.
There is also the problem of obtaining packs... I would need Domestic Arts 4 in order to make them myself... and buying them would be another hassle.
My super sleuthing skills have solved your crime. Clearly put, you want to do everything yourself. You even whine about having to buy packs from a tailor instead of making them yourself.
You avoided the original question of what exactly are you doing with those extra 100+ points. And I believe it's because you know exactly that we will tell you to drop those extra fluff skills. Don't ask for sympathy here.
/throw eggs
Songe
Thu Jun 17, 2004 2:23 pm
#12
If you can't free up 24 points on any of your two accounts I'm afraid there is really nothing we can do for you.
DingoBoi
Thu Jun 17, 2004 2:23 pm
#13
having trouble finding a merchant? certainly if you are using the search feature. Try looking on the planetary map for people who advertise. Maybe find a partner who does have merchant and work together. Why do you need to be a master combatant anyway on this character... a few branches will get you there and you can run away.
And to clear it up, you aren't supposed to be able to do it all..and yes, dabbling is needed. I really loved the added **edit** about 'but then i'd need x skill to make backpacks'/// way to go trying to justify yourself.
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