Paying it forward

kijima · August 2014

This is an idea I had loosely based on the movie, pay it foward.

Last night while doing some crafting, I found I was one dwarven oil shy from 100% upgrading two weapons I had. I had 13 and not the 14 I needed, d'oh! So in guild chat I asked if anyone had one spare that I could trade for a similar mat in woodworking or cloth as I had spare of those. A few minutes later a guildy said "yeah, I've got one you can have. I just need to jump into one of my alts" which he did and he sent 5 of them (thanks again too

)

Now I only needed one but he sent 5, and then when I then asked what mats he wanted in return, he said that it was free. Guildies FTW! So a few things of note, first a player logged out and jumped into an alt which takes some time, then he sent me 5 not the 1 AND he didn't want payment. Pretty cool huh?

So, I did my crafting, got my weapons done and I'm all happy. (Dominion VR12 soul leeching dual wield axes with the full set of soul leech which will be fun to test and play with, should make for fun with my tanky NB)

After that, a player in Auridon zone chat asked if anyone was selling green mats ( I forget which one, but I had plenty of all of them in green) We spoke in PM and he needed 45 of them, the price was set at a normal standard price that they go for and an accord was made.

BUT because someone had shown me generosity above and beyond, I decided to do the same. I sold him the mats at a poultry fee, far less than what we discussed and 50 of them, not the 45. ( I had 50 of them on me at the time) I guess the idea of 'paying it forward' stuck with me from the generosity shown to me. In PM's with him I did ask one think though, that when he can, he can 'pay it forward' too.

This might sound a little simplistic and child like in the way I'm thinking about this, but with the forums usually full of PvP epeen sword fighting, the constant FIX THIS NOW ZOS! threads, the back biting and negative posts made, I thought this might make for a slightly different thread on the forums.

So, have you had an experience with someone being overly generous with you, or have you been overly generous with another player? And does the 'pay it forward' model sit well with you?

Soriana · August 2014

Was at the woodworking station when someone started asking in zone for specific traits to research, that they were paying 'big money' for them. Reached out to them in zone and turned out they were standing right next to me. We got to chatting and ended up trading each other every trait we needed except for one. Made an in game friend, didn't spend an ounce of gold, and filled a need on both sides. Asked him to help someone else out along the way when he took off and promised I would as well.

Great feeling in amongst all the L2P, you frikkin noob, blocking spawn points at wayshrine griefers!

Inversus · August 2014

It doesn't really work, because there's that person (me) who accepts the free mats and doesn't pass on the favor

david271749 · August 2014

This is more likely to work in a guild.

kijima · August 2014

Inversus wrote: »

It doesn't really work, because there's that person (me) who accepts the free mats and doesn't pass on the favor

I'd expect that comment from EP scum

Tabbycat · August 2014

I've been following this rule for quite some time. Most of the time when someone gives you something, they won't let you pay them back. So you end up with kind of a lop-sided relationship. I started paying it forward to help balance out the karma so to speak. When I give something to someone I never ask for them to pay me back. I always ask them to pay it forward when they are able to. It works out really well, especially with guildies. It encourages your guild to be generous with each other. You always know that when you need something, someone is going to be there to help.

poodlemasterb16_ESO · August 2014

kijima wrote: »

Inversus wrote: »

It doesn't really work, because there's that person (me) who accepts the free mats and doesn't pass on the favor

I'd expect that comment from EP scum

LOL. It's a good way to spread 'goodness and niceness', which is sorely needed these days.

smeeprocketnub19_ESO · August 2014

I help people when I can, have been making a ton of armor for guildies, and guildies return me the favor tenfold. I'm more hesitant to help strangers because my goal in general is to make a profit. That said, I try to charge a fair price. Though I usually start high and expect people to haggle me down. I've notice most do, whereas in other games people would just say "no thanks." I like that people here are willing to haggle.

kijima · August 2014

@Tabbycat‌ Yes, I agree.

David in a few posts earlier hit upon a similar vein, and I'd agree it's almost the done thing in guilds at present, at least it is for me... Perhaps I'm lucky with the Guilds I'm a member of.

The guilds I'm in (non trading guilds) are excellent with a huge level of generosity and the attitude of helping a brother out. I know if I had spare mats and a guildy needed them, they would be his/hers.

But put guilds to the side for one moment, as I think yes, they do differ a little. What about outside of Guilds? Soriana had a nice experience with a random, is there much of this going on too? Would not a 'pay it forward' idea change the game a little?

ahduggannrb18_ESO · August 2014

I am always a game pauper because I do this sort of thing all the time. I draw the line though at those who whisper me for $$$

elwhy · August 2014

I forgot what motif, but early on in the game when basic motifs still sold for about a grand, I had extra and gave one to a guy who answered me in zone chat when I was looking for the undaunted in a particular city. He might've turned around and sold it, but I felt good about it.

I was also looking for a beggar to give money to, for that achievement, and someone in zone replied something about me giving him money that made me laugh, so I sent him 1k just cuz. But this was when I was at veteran levels, when money isn't as hard to find. I feel better about randomly helping people than randomly screwing them, so it makes the game more fun for me.

kijima · August 2014

Gold is earned I believe, I'd say not to given money to a stranger just because they asked for it. I haven't asked a guildy for it, and I never will although it's been offered before, and I've politely declined because that's how I feel about it.

I had a good guild mate of mine offer to do some enchanting for me because my enchants at the time were not helping my cause. At the end I said "what do you want for them?" He told me, and I paid without question of the price. Why without question? Because my guild mates are trustworthy and that's the way it should be.

I think that's the difference with guild mates, they are trustworthy, at least from my experience.

But I'm talking more about random encounters here, people that you come across that aren't of the same guild as you. Deconstructing like Soriana explained was a pleasant experience for her, and I for one an enjoying reading these kind of positive experiences.

david271749 · August 2014

Outside of guild, I don't give things away unless there's some kind of exchange. It's not necessarily gold, but something. What I really enjoy doing is helping people with dolmens and bosses, even if I've finished them. Last nigh someone asked for help with a dolmen in zone and I posted my usual, "Invite me for dolmen, and we shall pwn Molag Bal's minions back to Oblivion." The dude I helped ended up needing more, so we went on a dolmen run and grabbed a few world bosses along the way. I got some mail a little later, and he sent me some of his dolmen loot to thank me.

kijima · August 2014

david271749 wrote: »

I got some mail a little later, and he sent me some of his dolmen loot to thank me.

See, that is awesome.

I don't know that player, but I like the cut of his jib already.

Malpherian · August 2014

kijima wrote: »

This is an idea I had loosely based on the movie, pay it foward.
Stuff

Actually it's not a strange concept. You should watch the movie titled the same name (Pay it Forward). Great movie and really shows what humans could become if they would simply do this, rather then trying to kill each other like savages.

kijima · August 2014

I've seen the movie, that's why I made the reference.

Sorry, I'm confused now. What's your point exactly lol!

Malpherian · August 2014

kijima wrote: »

Gold is earned I believe, I'd say not to given money to a stranger just because they asked for it. I haven't asked a guildy for it, and I never will although it's been offered before, and I've politely declined because that's how I feel about it.

I had a good guild mate of mine offer to do some enchanting for me because my enchants at the time were not helping my cause. At the end I said "what do you want for them?" He told me, and I paid without question of the price. Why without question? Because my guild mates are trustworthy and that's the way it should be.

I think that's the difference with guild mates, they are trustworthy, at least from my experience.

But I'm talking more about random encounters here, people that you come across that aren't of the same guild as you. Deconstructing like Soriana explained was a pleasant experience for her, and I for one an enjoying reading these kind of positive experiences.

See I am the exact oposite, I'd rather have money as a git, then Items. Granted I'm an ebay merchant so I can sell whatever I get form people, but money is just easier, and can be used for more things without needing to go to the trouble of turning whatever item it is into it.

My family ask me what I want for christmas every year, and every year I tell them the same thing "Do not buy me anything, if your going to give me a gift, give me the money you would have spent on me so I can pay bills, invest it etc or put it in my gas tank). Which in my opinion is infinitely more useful then some sweater......

But then I am a pragmatist I guess....

kijima · August 2014

Different strokes for different folks.

It's all good.

Rhoric · August 2014

In my guild it is all about helping each other out. Everyone can deposit and withdraw from the bank. I'm not worried about people clearing the bank out cause I don't just hire anyone to join.

GFBStarWars · August 2014

I craft all trait that i know for free, just need the trait stone if i do not have enough in my bank.
There are lots of people that craft free stuff like me at least in the EU Dominion.
Often i get to auridon to craft training gear for new players

Royalroacho · August 2014

I may have been a culprit in a negative backbiting post earlier...the word "***" may have been thrown around wontonly...anyway, I started thinking that whenever someone does something that gets under my skin, im going to do something helpful for someone else, like giving away crafting mats or set pieces. If I dont like it when people are ***, I should try to strive to embody the inverse of douchebaggery.
"Sorry about ***. I got low blood sugar."

Welka · August 2014

Met a random guy while questing, we did a few quests together and ended up in town to empty the inventory, decraft, repair...

Before we went separate ways, I crafted him and blue axe with the trait of his choice at the level he was gonna get to next, so he has a decent weapon when reaching that level. Here's your axe, good luck and see you round pal.

Being nice is free and is always appreciated by anyone. It only costs a few mats and the world is full of it, so why not share and help others? He did help me for some quests after all. Perhaps this guy will do something nice to someone else in the future...

Another story: I always wanted to be a werewolf and when I was lv 30 and doing dungeons in DC, I saw a guy turning to werewolf and I thought damn I wanna be a werewolf!
I spoke to him and asked him to bite me, to which he said he didn't have the skill yet but he was part of a WW guild and he would bite me for free, as long as I do the same for others. I said ok, no problem, see you later.
I didn't think he would stick to his word but 2 days later he talked to me in chat and said he'd just acquired the skill to bite. Invited me to the shrine of Hircine and offered me his gift for free.

People can be awesome, and awesomeness is awesome

Sue_D_Nim · August 2014

I love this OP. PIF is a good way to live, even in a game.

Your story sounds like the kind of thing that goes on in my guild every day. It sounds ludicrous when I type it out, but it's the truth: my guild members practically trip all over themselves to be of help to each other at the cost of their own gaming time and expense.

It makes me very proud.

Merlin13KAGL · August 2014

david271749 wrote: »

This is more likely to work in a guild.

Our guild is based in this very thing. There are more than enough resources to go around, and when you help out, it tends to come back around.

What's the point in charging 300g for something when you've $100k in the bank, anyway?

Give and take!

(It kills me when I see Master Enchanters charging to make glyphs from people that provide all the mats... It's one thing if they want you to make 100, but a few here and there, on your time takes only your time.)

Not trying to burn them out of money, but I'll do it for free all day long, as it only takes my skill - which I've already leveled up with the help of people just like me.

CoolsHisHands · August 2014

kijima wrote: »

I sold him the mats at a poultry fee

Wait... we can barter in chickens now? How many chickens does a stack of Hemming cost anyway?

Iago · August 2014

bhuismanb16_ESO wrote: »

kijima wrote: »

I sold him the mats at a poultry fee

Wait... we can barter in chickens now? How many chickens does a stack of Hemming cost anyway?

They may have been trading with Pheasants, Seagulls, or even Crow..... It is so hard to tell with the vagueness of the fowl term poultry

ebondeath · August 2014

A few months ago, I was leveling in Rivenspire and somebody had been spamming WTB Robe of the Healer for quite a while. I looted one off of a mob and immediately mailed it to the person, no COD or message. They PM'd me with a bunch of thank yous and tried to pay me, but I told them no thanks, I was just happy to help out.

I also have a personal policy of not charging guildmates for anything, no matter what it is. I'm very 'meh' about gold.