For those who craft high level gear for others (especially for randoms)

Prof_Bawbag · November 2016

I was just wondering if it's only me that sweats buckets whilst crafting very expensive gear? I'm paranoid that

1- I will craft a non set item
2- I will forget to up the mats from 150 to 160 (though that's not a real biggie if you notice you've done it before using those alloys etc)
3- Forget to add trait stone
4- Equip any given set item when enchanting it
5- A host of other mishaps.

The reason for asking is I've done all of the above numerous times when creating my own gear and whilst I like the thought of being a master crafter, actually doing it is a very unpleasant experience. One day I know I'm gonna make a very costly error and I just hope the person is either loaded with millions of gold or very understanding. I think I'm concentrating so much when doing it, I'm more likely to make a mistake elsewhere in the process.

White wabbit · November 2016

As the say measure twice cut once

Tryxus · November 2016

Always triple checking everything before pressing R. Sometime even quadruple checking...

Uriel_Nocturne · November 2016

Yup.

Always as a precaution, I will get everything set for the Item I'm going to craft, then right before I hit "Craft", I will look over every little detail again just to make sure it's correct.

Then I hit the button to craft it.

Double-checking is the only safe way to be sure you're not making a mistake somewhere.

Prof_Bawbag · November 2016

The reason I asked this is because I just crafted someone a twice born staff and when i went into my inventory to enchant it, I nearly hit the wrong button and equipped it. I'd have cried quietly inside knowing I was one resin short to remake it. Saying that, I suppose I had the 'crafting fee' to rebuy a resin.

THEDKEXPERIENCE · November 2016

This is why I ask people to send me a very specific email of exactly what they want. The only thing more annoying than making a mistake is crafting what they ask for and someone to reply, "why isn't this in Celestial brah?"

HegemonIQ · November 2016

Completely agree, there is a lot of pressure when crafting high level gear. Always afraid that I'm going to mess up. A couple tips (just what works for me):

1. Ask for a detailed order by email. Must specify level, set, type, trait, style and include corresponding mats (basic styles I provide, and will usually improve to blue for free, everything else must be provided).
2. Unless its a really special order (style material I don't have or legendary), I usually leave the mats attached to the email and build from my crafting bag. This way if I mess up, it's my stash that takes the hit.
3. Don't try to enchant orders. I'll craft them, but the customer can equip the enchantment.
4. If the customer doesn't want to email the order (trust issues, I get it), they have to be present and engaged for me to build, either through group, area chat or text. I still like mats upfront though, so they still have to be able to mail or trade.
5. I work for tips. Not charging takes a lot of the pressure off. You would be surprised, most customers are very generous.

Happy crafting!

Flowersquisher · November 2016

Yep, stresses me out every time. I usually ask the person to send me an ingame email with exact details of what they want. That said, i wont make gold gear for someone i dont know, as ive made costly mistakes on my own gear, if purple isnt good enough for them, well= no stress. It can be very time consuming, which im sure most people who want gear do not understand, so if they seem needy i move on. Dont even get me started on styles, lol

Caligamy_ESO · November 2016

Prof_Bawbag wrote: »

The reason I asked this is because I just crafted someone a twice born staff and when i went into my inventory to enchant it, I nearly hit the wrong button and equipped it. I'd have cried quietly inside knowing I was one resin short to remake it. Saying that, I suppose I had the 'crafting fee' to rebuy a resin.

Lol I have done this exact scenario before while applying enchantments, and just recently when going to sell a purple ring on our guild store my finger slipped at the last second and I selected equip instead of List Item.

Ended that sell in record time.

Prof_Bawbag · November 2016

HegemonIQ wrote: »

Completely agree, there is a lot of pressure when crafting high level gear. Always afraid that I'm going to mess up. A couple tips (just what works for me):

1. Ask for a detailed order by email. Must specify level, set, type, trait, style and include corresponding mats (basic styles I provide, and will usually improve to blue for free, everything else must be provided).
2. Unless its a really special order (style material I don't have or legendary), I usually leave the mats attached to the email and build from my crafting bag. This way if I mess up, it's my stash that takes the hit.
3. Don't try to enchant orders. I'll craft them, but the customer can equip the enchantment.
4. If the customer doesn't want to email the order (trust issues, I get it), they have to be present and engaged for me to build, either through group, area chat or text. I still like mats upfront though, so they still have to be able to mail or trade.
5. I work for tips. Not charging takes a lot of the pressure off. You would be surprised, most customers are very generous.

Happy crafting!

@HegemonIQ Very helpful tips and very much appreciated. From now on I'll leave the enchanting to them. I only charged a fee because the staff was the Grim Harlequin style and I had to use those crown stones. Otherwise, I would leave it up to the person wanting the gear to pay what s/he wants.

HegemonIQ · November 2016

@Prof_Bawbag Absolutely, until ZOS lets us trade mimic stones, anything that can only be built with a crown purchase needs to be paid for.

Also, didn't include the check, double check (and in my case) triple check before build advice

covered well by others above. Admit, it does take me a little longer to craft (I'm a smidge OCD), but since I'm working for tips if the customer is impatient, they're welcome to find another crafter

Grabmoore · November 2016

I also do it the people before mentioned. The "customer" has to send an email with all details and mats attached. This way I evade the whole gear discussion, which I'd only do for guild mates. Too many times the requester asked which set or trait would fit to his sword and board/destro hybrid build.

In addition, I never up to gold or do the enchanting. Thats a risk I won't take.

Since most of the people asking for gear are new to the game, I never charge them. If they are a guild member, they could donate.

Abeille · November 2016

Oh don't worry, it is not only you. I've been doing this for so long now, though, that I don't feel as strongly about that anymore.

I still always check the orders multiple times before and after crafting, though. I only take orders by mail, and I ask many questions to make sure that's what they want.

Back when I was new to this whole business, though, I made a few rookie mistakes. My worst one was on my very first order. I was so nervous, I didn't ask which pieces should be of which weight (client asked for 5 medium, 1 light and 1 heavy but didn't specify which pieces) and ended up making heavy shoulders, Imperial style if I remember it correctly. The shoulders were HUGE and looked super weird with the medium, skin-tight armor. Yes, I was super stupid. The client was super nice, though, and laughed if off. Really a great guy. I hope he still plays the game (if you are out there, I'm sorry for the heavy shoulders

).

ThePaleItalian · November 2016

I will group in chat before I make anything, plus who doesnt wanna hear my voice

Piece by piece is made and checked, once final product is complete, we get naked and do the Redguard dance and bid ado..

IrishGirlGamer · November 2016

I have, between two crafters, completely maxed out all six crafting skills and every trait, while knowing most if not all the motifs. Yet my approach to crafting still looks something like this:

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Why? Because part of the fun of the game is to learn to craft for yourself. And because I don't need any more money. And while most people are genuinely grateful, some have a different approach:

Edit: and to be honest, I'm notoriously bad about missing some detail like crafting at item at the wrong level, forgetting a trait, or running out of something I need. It's better if I just do it for myself.

Waffennacht · November 2016

Tryxus wrote: »

Always triple checking everything before pressing R. Sometime even quadruple checking...

This. I set on that page for a while, 160? Check. Set piece? Check. Right trait? Check. Right style? Check. And again for good measure

SickDuck · November 2016

Before hitting 'R' at the crafting station you can link the preview to the customer in chat. That way he/she can verify the base item.

Addons can save you from accidental sell/destroy/equip.

I assume that you don't screw up raising the quality.

Prof_Bawbag · November 2016

SickDuck wrote: »

Before hitting 'R' at the crafting station you can link the preview to the customer in chat. That way he/she can verify the base item.

Addons can save you from accidental sell/destroy/equip.

I assume that you don't screw up raising the quality.

No, the worst part is the enchanting (when you go into your inventory to select the option to enchant and instead equip the item) and remembering to apply those damn trait stones. Those are the two things I tend to screw up the most when I'm doing it for myself. The trait stone and selecting the non set option are the worst when crafting for yourself as you lose around half the mats. I always 100% when raising the quality. As you know, equipping isn't even an issue when you're crafting for your own characters.

I think half my mistakes happen because I'm over thinking certain aspects, which means I'm switched off from something else I need to be doing.

Edit: I'm on console, so no add-ons.

Recremen · November 2016

I not only manually check everything 5 times, I also make them group with me so I can link stuff in chat. It's a super time-consuming process that I just plain don't do anymore on account of how poor the tips usually are and how much stress/time it takes. But at least I never made anyone something they didn't ask for.

DurzoBlint13 · November 2016

Prof_Bawbag wrote: »

I was just wondering if it's only me that sweats buckets whilst crafting very expensive gear? I'm paranoid that

1- I will craft a non set item
2- I will forget to up the mats from 150 to 160 (though that's not a real biggie if you notice you've done it before using those alloys etc)
3- Forget to add trait stone
4- Equip any given set item when enchanting it
5- A host of other mishaps.

The reason for asking is I've done all of the above numerous times when creating my own gear and whilst I like the thought of being a master crafter, actually doing it is a very unpleasant experience. One day I know I'm gonna make a very costly error and I just hope the person is either loaded with millions of gold or very understanding. I think I'm concentrating so much when doing it, I'm more likely to make a mistake elsewhere in the process.

we have all done those things at one time or another. If I make the mistake, I am responsible for fixing it. I double and triple check what I have allocated before I press that button to craft it now.

SaRuZ · November 2016

Always ask them and ask them again exactly what they want and how they want it.

Runs · November 2016

Prof_Bawbag wrote: »

I was just wondering if it's only me that sweats buckets whilst crafting very expensive gear? I'm paranoid that

1- I will craft a non set item
2- I will forget to up the mats from 150 to 160 (though that's not a real biggie if you notice you've done it before using those alloys etc)
3- Forget to add trait stone
4- Equip any given set item when enchanting it
5- A host of other mishaps.

The reason for asking is I've done all of the above numerous times when creating my own gear and whilst I like the thought of being a master crafter, actually doing it is a very unpleasant experience. One day I know I'm gonna make a very costly error and I just hope the person is either loaded with millions of gold or very understanding. I think I'm concentrating so much when doing it, I'm more likely to make a mistake elsewhere in the process.

I have done each of those including one in the number 5 category... Accidentally over upgrading the item to Legendary instead of just to Epic.

nine9six · November 2016

White wabbit wrote: »

As the say measure twice cut once