Smuggler Archive
Thread: 25k per slice
Golrok
Wed Sep 29, 2004 8:26 pm
#40
I was in Cnet last night and there's still Master Smugs who spam "100 cred per point or free if under 20%!!"
ArgonOrakio
Thu Sep 30, 2004 12:34 am
#41
I'm a master 
Been charging 5k a slice for months now
and I make lots of new friends by slicing 
No seriously, every slicer has his/her own way of making it worthwile to stay slicing.
want to ask 100k/slice? ok, that's your choice
Want to ask 100creds per %?nice, your choice as well.
Don't talk about someone 'ruining the market' as I believe there are types of business that destabalize the economy even more than this lucrative slicing we do.
Money used to pay slicer doesn't even exist in the empire's eyes! 
Really, it's all about having fun!
/grouphug to all smugglers
Kyllan
Wed Jan 26, 2005 6:07 pm
#42
Anyone know what the going rate for smuggling on Radiant is. I still charge 5k per item but have been playing JTL and Battlefront so much lately that I have been out of the loop. Haven't had any complaints; though I don't want to be too low if the price has gone up.
Kamileon
Thu Jan 27, 2005 11:23 am
#43
I'm conflicted on this. I don't see why slicing should be all that expensive. It doesn't cost the Smuggler that much to do. All in all, all we need for it is the tools, and the tools are rather cheap, and not the least bit dependent on resource quality. And it doesn't take that much time to slice an item.
On the other hand, if slicing were more expensive, fewer people would do it. And slicing would be more of that special enhancement, instead of the GIMME IT ITS MY RIGHT LOL it is now. Fewer customers at a higher price doesn't really hurt Smuggler profits, as long as it's not too extreme. Or, if more is charged, and people keep on paying it, it will clearly demonstrate the value of slicing. Perhaps get more attention as a game mechanic, or if nothing else make Smugglers more money.
If we look at it in terms of Doc buffs... people are paying on average 10k per buff set (at least on Kettemoor, that's the going rate) and they get 4 hours tops of utility. And while they do have to buy the buff packs, most people buy the crates from Southside. 5 qty, 35 uses per pack. At 10k each buff, a 480k outlay gets you 1.75 million. That's one hell of a profit margin, there. And it's 10k for 4 hours of hunting. Smugglers, for the most part, aren't getting that for a permanent modification for the life of the weapon/armor. Think of how much more utility people are getting out of that 5k slice than that 10k buff? There's no risk in getting buffed, but there is some risk in having sliced items, so I could see that moving the price down a little.
I do however agree that Smugglers should charge what Smugglers want to charge. No standardization. It's a free market for slicing. And especially in a Smuggler RP sense, if you can convince someone they need to pay 100k to get their armor sliced, then... well, I have nothing but props for that Smuggler.
On the other hand, if slicing were more expensive, fewer people would do it. And slicing would be more of that special enhancement, instead of the GIMME IT ITS MY RIGHT LOL it is now. Fewer customers at a higher price doesn't really hurt Smuggler profits, as long as it's not too extreme. Or, if more is charged, and people keep on paying it, it will clearly demonstrate the value of slicing. Perhaps get more attention as a game mechanic, or if nothing else make Smugglers more money.
If we look at it in terms of Doc buffs... people are paying on average 10k per buff set (at least on Kettemoor, that's the going rate) and they get 4 hours tops of utility. And while they do have to buy the buff packs, most people buy the crates from Southside. 5 qty, 35 uses per pack. At 10k each buff, a 480k outlay gets you 1.75 million. That's one hell of a profit margin, there. And it's 10k for 4 hours of hunting. Smugglers, for the most part, aren't getting that for a permanent modification for the life of the weapon/armor. Think of how much more utility people are getting out of that 5k slice than that 10k buff? There's no risk in getting buffed, but there is some risk in having sliced items, so I could see that moving the price down a little.
I do however agree that Smugglers should charge what Smugglers want to charge. No standardization. It's a free market for slicing. And especially in a Smuggler RP sense, if you can convince someone they need to pay 100k to get their armor sliced, then... well, I have nothing but props for that Smuggler.
Aelik Orrigo: Smuggler, Pilot, and Ranger. Kettemoor
Shrendyc
Thu Jan 27, 2005 2:27 pm
#45
As a smuggler, my time was work more than the pennies I'd make by slicing publicly. I could run missions on Lok or Dant and make more money in the same amount of time.
For those of you that say that it cost us a lot less than docs to slice, that is a true statement. However, to me, my time is valuable too. When I slice, I am charging not for the cost of the tools, but for my time, and the loss of skill points that could be placed into a combat profession where I could get even bigger missions for more money.
Before I dropped master smuggler to actually get a combat profession under my belt, I was toying with doing this little game with my clients:
Client: Hey, can you slice my weapon?
Me: Sure - lets play a little game with my fee at risk, ok? Let me explain how it works. You tell me what you want, and you guess what I'll get. My base fee is 7K. If I get what you want, then my fee doubles. If you guess what I get, then you get the slice for free. If neither statement is correct, I get my flat rate. How about it?
Never got the chance to do it, since I dropped master and all - but it might add a little fun to the otherwise dull function of: slap on clamp, slice first wire, slice second wire, tell results, get paid (or drop item on vendor for 6K if they try to stiff me)
Kyllan
Thu Jan 27, 2005 3:24 pm
#46
KaernLegorah wrote:
Same discussion, different day
What does it matter if its the same discussion different day? Not everyone has been a smuggler from day one and some of this is new to them. No reason it can't be discussed.
Kyllan
Thu Jan 27, 2005 3:32 pm
#47
Yes I have had some people complain about 5k per item. I've had people complain about 3k per item. I just tell them that they are willing to fork over 12-15k for a temporary buff, and ask why they should feel ripped off about a 5k slice for something tha is PERMANENT for the life of the weapon. It seems to stump them. Usually just get mad at you. Not that I have had to say it too often.
If someone is wise they will shop around for prices anyway. Tells are esy.
Still, most of the time my customers walk away happy and tip me big 'ol fat wads of cash.
Most of my slicing experiences are good ones.
If someone is wise they will shop around for prices anyway. Tells are esy.
Still, most of the time my customers walk away happy and tip me big 'ol fat wads of cash.
Most of my slicing experiences are good ones.
Kamileon
Thu Jan 27, 2005 3:39 pm
#48
IF people kvetch about the price, especially as low as 3K... too bad! No slicey for you! You can find it cheaper, good for you.
Otherwise, in my own experience, it's often the people who charge low, or say that they work for tips that earn the big $ for me.
I tipped an ID big time the other day, because I finally found one, he was nice, pleasant to talk to in the meantime, and said he only worked off tips.
Otherwise, in my own experience, it's often the people who charge low, or say that they work for tips that earn the big $ for me.
I tipped an ID big time the other day, because I finally found one, he was nice, pleasant to talk to in the meantime, and said he only worked off tips.
KaernLegorah
Thu Jan 27, 2005 3:51 pm
#49
Kyllan wrote:
KaernLegorah wrote:
Same discussion, different day
What does it matter if its the same discussion different day? Not everyone has been a smuggler from day one and some of this is new to them. No reason it can't be discussed.
It was a joke, hence the:
Chill.
Kyllan
Thu Jan 27, 2005 4:01 pm
#50
KaernLegorah wrote:
Kyllan wrote:
KaernLegorah wrote:
Same discussion, different day
What does it matter if its the same discussion different day? Not everyone has been a smuggler from day one and some of this is new to them. No reason it can't be discussed.
It was a joke, hence the:
Chill.
Sorry, bud. Not really mad at you. I've just seen it over and over again where people criticize others who have posted for something they typed as not being new or original or because the other has already said it. Its a discussion after all. I did not mean any slight to you. So I apologize that it sounded that way. Didn't mean to get you angry.
Good lord! I need to learn to proofread. My spelling was horrid.
Message Edited by Kyllan on 01-27-2005 05:10 PM
Message Edited by Kyllan on 01-27-2005 05:10 PM
MavriK512
Thu Jan 27, 2005 5:22 pm
#51
I'm gonna say "Hey! Charge what you want!"
I'm not a master yet, but I charge 7K per item, or 25-30K for a suit of armor. Even at my "low low prices", people have said it's too much. Sometimes I try to cut deals with them, sometimes I tip them 25 credits and tell them to call someone who cares.
On the other hand, sometimes clients will want fairly large orders filled.
Even when I only had slicing 3, people would ask if I could slice. I only charged 3K back then.
I've gotten 100K from clients for getting a decent slice on an excellent weapon.
I'm not a master yet, but I charge 7K per item, or 25-30K for a suit of armor. Even at my "low low prices", people have said it's too much. Sometimes I try to cut deals with them, sometimes I tip them 25 credits and tell them to call someone who cares.
On the other hand, sometimes clients will want fairly large orders filled.
Even when I only had slicing 3, people would ask if I could slice. I only charged 3K back then.
I've gotten 100K from clients for getting a decent slice on an excellent weapon.
DrakoonShao
Fri Jan 28, 2005 1:25 am
#52
NiViK wrote:
ok guys this is sounding just like the doc boards...
<B>the main diff here is that docs have to pay more for their buff packs than smugglers pay for clamps/knives.</B>
I'll say the same thing I said on the doc boards...
All you are going to acomplish is to help drive the economy up. As soon as slicing costs 20k a slice....weapons are going to start costing more...foods will cost more....hunters charge more for meat and other raw materials...driving buff prices up...making everything cost more.
Everything is connected.
As a doc...I never charge more than 12k for a buff(2400+ 3 hour 50 mins) and I dont do linecuts no matter the offer.
as a smuggler...I will not charge more than 3k a slice.
Like you said...I dont do it for the money.
Everyoneshould play however they want...I choose this way.
Ok, I have to head out the door for work, so I haven't finished reading the thread to see if anyone pointed out what I'm going to. The "Buffs cost more" arguement is fine if you're a doc and want to feel special. Yes they do cost more, but here's one thing Docs never bring up when rationalizing buff prices versus slice prices. Buffing can be macro'd. Plain and simple. A doc can go buy stacks of buffs, stick them in slots, park their tail in a starport and as people come up simply push a button after targeting them. So even though they may spend lots of money (which they earn back easily while buffing) on supplies to buff, the actual act is effortless. A Smuggler on the other hand has to trade the items. Pull supplies from crates for each item. Open up a prompt and read what wire to cut first. Manually click that wire and then the next. Then manually trade all the stuff back after they are done slicing. That's much more work than buffing and why most Smugglers charge what they do, it's the time and effort. Heck, I didn't even mention the effort a smuggler must go through to report all the slice numbers to their clients or that slicing is permenant. End point? While buffs cost more, slicing is more labor intensive. Therefore you can not compare pricing of the two when trying to base "pricing" off the same factors.