This guild trader system is so bad.

darthgummibear_ESO · August 2015

The system is crap because it prevents people who aren't in specialized trading guilds from ever being able to sell anything. People vehemently defending the system in its current form are being extremely selfish.

When I initially discovered how the trader system works, I was seriously confused as to how they thought it was a good idea. Since then, I have not talked to a single person in the game(not already in a huge trading guild) who actually liked the current system. The guild I'm in right now seems to universally hate it.

Most of the arguments I've seen in favor of the current system seem to come from people who really don't understand how a free market economy works. Open access and competition is good for everyone except the handful of barons who are currently price gouging everything.

gard · August 2015

Sallington wrote: »

I like the current system so much better than a central auction house.

Right.. because travelling around to individual traders to buy that item you need, only to find that none of them have it is so very efficient.

Elsonso · August 2015

.

Cherryblossom wrote: »

You do realise that there is only two Mega Server, one in EU the other in NA....

Actually, there are 7, but PTS does not count for this.

gard wrote: »

Sallington wrote: »

I like the current system so much better than a central auction house.

Right.. because travelling around to individual traders to buy that item you need, only to find that none of them have it is so very efficient.

What are you looking for that no one seems to have? PC/Mac, PS4, or XBox?

amgame308_ESO · August 2015

darthgummibear_ESO wrote: »

The system is crap because it prevents people who aren't in specialized trading guilds from ever being able to sell anything. People vehemently defending the system in its current form are being extremely selfish.

When I initially discovered how the trader system works, I was seriously confused as to how they thought it was a good idea. Since then, I have not talked to a single person in the game(not already in a huge trading guild) who actually liked the current system. The guild I'm in right now seems to universally hate it.

Most of the arguments I've seen in favor of the current system seem to come from people who really don't understand how a free market economy works. Open access and competition is good for everyone except the handful of barons who are currently price gouging everything.

This is exactly how a free market should work in an MMO. Gold comes into the system by killing mobs and it leaves the system by sinking it in the trading guilds. If the system didn't work I wouldn't be selling hundreds of thousands worth of materials in the stores. If you aren't willing to invest in the health of the system you lose.

The interface searching for items needs some work, especially for console players and they'll need a means to type for search requests. The foundation of this system is sound, if you can't make it work for you then you have other options like completing the content yourself for the items you want or go the thievery route.

I'm in three trade guilds, I've actually run out of items to sell and will probably drop one because I can no longer keep up with demand. I sell everything, all crafting goods, recipes and decent pieces of gear.

The Master Merchant and Awesome Guild Store are great for getting the system to work for you.

It's not hard it is just not what you are used to in MMOs. 2 million for a kiosk? System works, the demand is there.

amgame308_ESO · August 2015

Those on this thread who want the decades old antiquated global AH are using words like hate to describe their feelings. Instead let's try logical rather than an emotional response.

I love this one, "those who like this system don't know how a free economy works". Really? Currently we have a player driven economy, those with an entrepreneurial spirit have taken the initiative, built a customer base, and have supplied a much needed service in game. As opposed to a centralized auction house governed by the developer overlords. A global auction house is not a free maket, it more of a pre depressions era stock exchange where spreadsheet warriors corner the markets and drive the prices up.

Nothing is stopping any of the naysayers to start a guild, build a base and get into the kiosk game. But that takes effort, my trading guilds sponsor raffles, collect donations, provide member auctions, you know actually put effort into the player driven economic experience.

"But I wanna an auction house like MMO XYZ had!!!!" #poutylowerlip.

No.

amgame308_ESO · August 2015

If all of the haters of the current system got together and created a guild you might actually have enough people to create a trading guild. Make your own rules! Heck even name it Global AH!

Now it is going to take a little more effort than a forum post, Facebook like, upvote or tweet. Don't panic. Shia says., JUST DO IT!!!!"

I believe in you.

Psychobunni · August 2015

amgame308_ESO wrote: »

If all of the haters of the current system got together and created a guild you might actually have enough people to create a trading guild. Make your own rules! Heck even name it Global AH!

Now it is going to take a little more effort than a forum post, Facebook like, upvote or tweet. Don't panic. Shia says., JUST DO IT!!!!"

I believe in you.

If I had to run a trade guild, I'd quit ESO. "man I love accounting and trading games, I should play ESO!".....yeah NOT!

jeanbulinckxub17_ESO · August 2015

amgame308_ESO wrote: »

If all of the haters of the current system got together and created a guild you might actually have enough people to create a trading guild. Make your own rules! Heck even name it Global AH!

Now it is going to take a little more effort than a forum post, Facebook like, upvote or tweet. Don't panic. Shia says., JUST DO IT!!!!"

I believe in you.

Name suggestions:

a) Global Auction House
b) Winning Nevers Enders
c) Hatters Gonna Trade
d) Crying Babies Store
e) Dumb & Lazy Company

KiraTsukasa · August 2015

amgame308_ESO wrote: »

Those on this thread who want the decades old antiquated global AH are using words like hate to describe their feelings. Instead let's try logical rather than an emotional response.

I love this one, "those who like this system don't know how a free economy works". Really? Currently we have a player driven economy, those with an entrepreneurial spirit have taken the initiative, built a customer base, and have supplied a much needed service in game. As opposed to a centralized auction house governed by the developer overlords. A global auction house is not a free maket, it more of a pre depressions era stock exchange where spreadsheet warriors corner the markets and drive the prices up.

Nothing is stopping any of the naysayers to start a guild, build a base and get into the kiosk game. But that takes effort, my trading guilds sponsor raffles, collect donations, provide member auctions, you know actually put effort into the player driven economic experience.

"But I wanna an auction house like MMO XYZ had!!!!" #poutylowerlip.

No.

There is so much wrong with what you just said.

An auction house is still player driven. The developers would have absolutely no control over the prices, just as they do now. I don't know where you even got that convoluted idea.

Entrepreneur. I don't think that word means what you think it means. You might want to look it up.

An auction house in an MMO is in no way, shape, or form a stock exchange.

Nothing is stopping players from starting a guild to sell items. Except for not having the millions in funds needed to out bid the big guilds for the prime sales locations. Which they could gather from selling items which requires money that they don't have.

The guild traders cause the game to be plagued by guilds that charge people for membership or treat their members as little more than item farming mules, neither of which is conducive for a friendly environment or enjoyable experience. Maybe your guild doesn't do that, but your guild is not every guild nor can everyone join your guild.

Furthermore, why do I HAVE to be in a guild in order to sell items for more than chump change at an NPC? That is the absolute WORST part of this broken system by far. I already have enough bad experiences with guilds that I'm not going to just join one at random just to sell items. And anyway, who would want a guild member that has no intention of constantly partying with them, getting to know any of the other members, or even TALKING to other members? All I want to do is put up a couple items for sale that other players may be looking for and be on my merry way. But no, I'm not allowed to because people like you think that this obviously flawed system was, and still is, a good idea.

NobleNerd · August 2015

The issue I have with the trader system is the blind bidding. There needs to be a better bidding system in place. Unless I do some scouting of what other guilds are actually winning these traders for then I have no clue what is being bid for the traders. An open bidding system with a better time frame to bid would be much better.

wraith808 · August 2015

Divinius wrote: »

Lucius_Aelius wrote: »

I don't think you know what an economy is if you don't think this game has one, because that's just nonsense, just because the economy is chaotic and rapidly changing doesn't mean it doesn't exist at all, and yes an auction house would completely ruin the game's economy.

OK... So the game does have an economy. It's "chaotic and rapidly changing" which you somehow equate to "good."

Adding an AH would stabilize it significantly, which you equate to "ruining it."

Does that about sum it up?

There's another part about stabilizing that people that argue for AH significantly overlook, showing that there are biases on both sides.

To take an extreme view, SWTOR has an AH. They have a 2 day time limit on auctions. You can *watch* as items migrate towards the lowest price point over time. Then, once they disappear (because of the two day time limit), you can see as they're listed at an exorbitant price.

Then the vicious cycle starts all over again.

That's what you mean by a stable market? And you see that to an extent on every game that has an AH that I've seen.

There is a middle ground. But, people only want to discuss having a global AH.

KiraTsukasa · August 2015

wraith808 wrote: »

Divinius wrote: »

Lucius_Aelius wrote: »

I don't think you know what an economy is if you don't think this game has one, because that's just nonsense, just because the economy is chaotic and rapidly changing doesn't mean it doesn't exist at all, and yes an auction house would completely ruin the game's economy.

OK... So the game does have an economy. It's "chaotic and rapidly changing" which you somehow equate to "good."

Adding an AH would stabilize it significantly, which you equate to "ruining it."

Does that about sum it up?

There's another part about stabilizing that people that argue for AH significantly overlook, showing that there are biases on both sides.

To take an extreme view, SWTOR has an AH. They have a 2 day time limit on auctions. You can *watch* as items migrate towards the lowest price point over time. Then, once they disappear (because of the two day time limit), you can see as they're listed at an exorbitant price.

Then the vicious cycle starts all over again.

That's what you mean by a stable market? And you see that to an extent on every game that has an AH that I've seen.

There is a middle ground. But, people only want to discuss having a global AH.

And when those auctions run out, one of two things is going to happen. Either the seller will realize that no one will buy it for that price, or he'll continue to try to sell it at that same price and be stuck with someone no one will buy.

I see your concerns though, and there is a solution. I'm not sure if any other games do it (though I'm fairly certain that fansites for those games do), but Runescape publicly displays, within the game, the sale patterns of a particular item. I think they update the findings weekly, but you can track the patterns back quite a ways, I think you could go back a year or so and watch the prices rise and fall as they went.

Divinius · August 2015

wraith808 wrote: »

Divinius wrote: »

Lucius_Aelius wrote: »

I don't think you know what an economy is if you don't think this game has one, because that's just nonsense, just because the economy is chaotic and rapidly changing doesn't mean it doesn't exist at all, and yes an auction house would completely ruin the game's economy.

OK... So the game does have an economy. It's "chaotic and rapidly changing" which you somehow equate to "good."

Adding an AH would stabilize it significantly, which you equate to "ruining it."

Does that about sum it up?

There's another part about stabilizing that people that argue for AH significantly overlook, showing that there are biases on both sides.

To take an extreme view, SWTOR has an AH. They have a 2 day time limit on auctions. You can *watch* as items migrate towards the lowest price point over time. Then, once they disappear (because of the two day time limit), you can see as they're listed at an exorbitant price.

Then the vicious cycle starts all over again.

That's what you mean by a stable market? And you see that to an extent on every game that has an AH that I've seen.

There is a middle ground. But, people only want to discuss having a global AH.

Of course, there is always going to be some price fluctuations, even with a global AH. But you can't seriously be arguing the the fluctuations would be worse than the mess we have currently!

And to all the people that are using the argument of "anyone can make money selling stuff in the current system!"...

I understand what you are trying to say. Anyone in the game is free to join an established guild that has a guild trader in a prime location every week, and sell their wares for huge profits. That's true. But the part you are missing is that there's a very limited number of those traders, and hence, players that can use them to sell their stuff.

How many traders are in the game, 140? And how many traders, on average, does a typical player check when looking for an item? I guarantee very few actually check all 140. I'd bet that most people don't bother checking more than 20 tops.

So 20 guilds x 500 players = 10k people that can sell their stuff. Oh, but wait, any one player can be in up to five guilds, so there's not really 10k spots open, since a player can consume up to 5 of those. Lets say the average number of those guilds that those players are in is only 2, so that leaves 5000 spots open for people that can really sell stuff well.

How many people play this game? Let's say there's only 50k people on the PC/NA server (that number is likely a gross underestimate). That means that only 10% of the player-base has access to those good guild spots.

So yes, while anyone can get into one of those spots, not everyone can get into them, since there's only a limited number. Every person that pushes to get in, shoves another player out.

I'm sorry, but a market where only 10% of the player-base has a chance to sell their items at any given time is not what I'd call a fair, or even functional, system.

{edited because I forgot the quote}

KiraTsukasa · August 2015

Divinius wrote: »

wraith808 wrote: »

Divinius wrote: »

Lucius_Aelius wrote: »

I don't think you know what an economy is if you don't think this game has one, because that's just nonsense, just because the economy is chaotic and rapidly changing doesn't mean it doesn't exist at all, and yes an auction house would completely ruin the game's economy.

OK... So the game does have an economy. It's "chaotic and rapidly changing" which you somehow equate to "good."

Adding an AH would stabilize it significantly, which you equate to "ruining it."

Does that about sum it up?

There's another part about stabilizing that people that argue for AH significantly overlook, showing that there are biases on both sides.

To take an extreme view, SWTOR has an AH. They have a 2 day time limit on auctions. You can *watch* as items migrate towards the lowest price point over time. Then, once they disappear (because of the two day time limit), you can see as they're listed at an exorbitant price.

Then the vicious cycle starts all over again.

That's what you mean by a stable market? And you see that to an extent on every game that has an AH that I've seen.

There is a middle ground. But, people only want to discuss having a global AH.

Of course, there is always going to be some price fluctuations, even with a global AH. But you can't seriously be arguing the the fluctuations would be worse than the mess we have currently!

And to all the people that are using the argument of "anyone can make money selling stuff in the current system!"...

I understand what you are trying to say. Anyone in the game is free to join an established guild that has a guild trader in a prime location every week, and sell their wares for huge profits. That's true. But the part you are missing is that there's a very limited number of those traders, and hence, players that can use them to sell their stuff.

How many traders are in the game, 140? And how many traders, on average, does a typical player check when looking for an item? I guarantee very few actually check all 140. I'd bet that most people don't bother checking more than 20 tops.

So 20 guilds x 500 players = 10k people that can sell their stuff. Oh, but wait, any one player can be in up to five guilds, so there's not really 10k spots open, since a player can consume up to 5 of those. Lets say the average number of those guilds that those players are in is only 2, so that leaves 5000 spots open for people that can really sell stuff well.

How many people play this game? Let's say there's only 50k people on the PC/NA server (that number is likely a gross underestimate). That means that only 10% of the player-base has access to those good guild spots.

So yes, while anyone can get into one of those spots, not everyone can get into them, since there's only a limited number. Every person that pushes to get in, shoves another player out.

I'm sorry, but a market where only 10% of the player-base has a chance to sell their items at any given time is not what I'd call a fair, or even functional, system.

{edited because I forgot the quote}

And since some of the traders are in such out of the way places (ie. Bleakrock Isle) that they are a waste of money to hold due to poor traffic and thus poor sales, it reduces the number of vendors even more.

Thecapeo · August 2015

KiraTsukasa wrote: »

wraith808 wrote: »

Divinius wrote: »

Lucius_Aelius wrote: »

I don't think you know what an economy is if you don't think this game has one, because that's just nonsense, just because the economy is chaotic and rapidly changing doesn't mean it doesn't exist at all, and yes an auction house would completely ruin the game's economy.

OK... So the game does have an economy. It's "chaotic and rapidly changing" which you somehow equate to "good."

Adding an AH would stabilize it significantly, which you equate to "ruining it."

Does that about sum it up?

There's another part about stabilizing that people that argue for AH significantly overlook, showing that there are biases on both sides.

To take an extreme view, SWTOR has an AH. They have a 2 day time limit on auctions. You can *watch* as items migrate towards the lowest price point over time. Then, once they disappear (because of the two day time limit), you can see as they're listed at an exorbitant price.

Then the vicious cycle starts all over again.

That's what you mean by a stable market? And you see that to an extent on every game that has an AH that I've seen.

There is a middle ground. But, people only want to discuss having a global AH.

And when those auctions run out, one of two things is going to happen. Either the seller will realize that no one will buy it for that price, or he'll continue to try to sell it at that same price and be stuck with someone no one will buy.

I see your concerns though, and there is a solution. I'm not sure if any other games do it (though I'm fairly certain that fansites for those games do), but Runescape publicly displays, within the game, the sale patterns of a particular item. I think they update the findings weekly, but you can track the patterns back quite a ways, I think you could go back a year or so and watch the prices rise and fall as they went.

FFXIV AH is global (your whole server anyway) and you can view the sales history of every item on it, including items that aren't currently even posted. It's awesome. The interface is easy to use and all the info you need to both price your items and research what you should be paying is at your finger tips. Plus these areas in the hub cities become the most active social areas as there are also people constantly asking to have things crafted for them. Of course text chat makes that much easier but lets not digress.

alanspurlock_ESO · August 2015

KiraTsukasa wrote: »

amgame308_ESO wrote: »

Those on this thread who want the decades old antiquated global AH are using words like hate to describe their feelings. Instead let's try logical rather than an emotional response.

I love this one, "those who like this system don't know how a free economy works". Really? Currently we have a player driven economy, those with an entrepreneurial spirit have taken the initiative, built a customer base, and have supplied a much needed service in game. As opposed to a centralized auction house governed by the developer overlords. A global auction house is not a free maket, it more of a pre depressions era stock exchange where spreadsheet warriors corner the markets and drive the prices up.

Nothing is stopping any of the naysayers to start a guild, build a base and get into the kiosk game. But that takes effort, my trading guilds sponsor raffles, collect donations, provide member auctions, you know actually put effort into the player driven economic experience.

"But I wanna an auction house like MMO XYZ had!!!!" #poutylowerlip.

No.

There is so much wrong with what you just said.

An auction house is still player driven. The developers would have absolutely no control over the prices, just as they do now. I don't know where you even got that convoluted idea.

Entrepreneur. I don't think that word means what you think it means. You might want to look it up.

An auction house in an MMO is in no way, shape, or form a stock exchange.

Nothing is stopping players from starting a guild to sell items. Except for not having the millions in funds needed to out bid the big guilds for the prime sales locations. Which they could gather from selling items which requires money that they don't have.

The guild traders cause the game to be plagued by guilds that charge people for membership or treat their members as little more than item farming mules, neither of which is conducive for a friendly environment or enjoyable experience. Maybe your guild doesn't do that, but your guild is not every guild nor can everyone join your guild.

Furthermore, why do I HAVE to be in a guild in order to sell items for more than chump change at an NPC? That is the absolute WORST part of this broken system by far. I already have enough bad experiences with guilds that I'm not going to just join one at random just to sell items. And anyway, who would want a guild member that has no intention of constantly partying with them, getting to know any of the other members, or even TALKING to other members? All I want to do is put up a couple items for sale that other players may be looking for and be on my merry way. But no, I'm not allowed to because people like you think that this obviously flawed system was, and still is, a good idea.

Trust me.... we have PLENTY do to with global auction houses. It's player driven for the most part... but we WILL crash certain items on purpose to keep them within reason. We will also FLOOD the holy hell out of the drops with that item

Thanks to an NDA, I can not comment on what MMO I develop for

I'll be able to after September though.

wraith808 · August 2015

Divinius wrote: »

Of course, there is always going to be some price fluctuations, even with a global AH. But you can't seriously be arguing the the fluctuations would be worse than the mess we have currently!

I don't look at it as a mess, so of course I can argue that.

I just think that some tweaks need to be changed. The dupe bug would have been *much worse* with a global AH. Look at Caturday on Neverwinter to see an example. Keeping them localized can work. Does it have problems? Yes, anyone can see that. But they are not so insurmountable that the trade system is 'broken' nor does it need to be 'scrapped'.

FelixTheCatt · August 2015

I get that I'm most likely in the minority here on this issue. So if a global auction house or single player selling/buying never happen , I guess I'll just have to understand and I will. As a player that doesn't want to be in anyones guild or in a guild at all , it just feels like I'm being left out of an aspect of the game I've enjoyed on many mmo's before. All while swearing off guilds.

I don't like the politics or drama that come with being in a guild. Deny it all you want , it's in every guild. Reason number one I choose to not be involved in that scenario. If you like guilds , fine I don't begrudge anyone that if that's what you enjoy. Why begrudge me and others like me , the same enjoyment of buying/selling? I don't think giving solo players the option is going to take anything away from the large trading guilds or even the small ones.

I just want the option to buy mats , gear I may not feel like grinding for myself some days. Or just selling to make a little extra gold for myself without cornering the market on something or taking advantage of another player. Heck i'd just as likeky give stuff freely and have been well known for doing so if the item wasn't bop to begin with. Some times we're talking legendary items. What do I care , its not like any of the currency/gear/mats are real. I'm not looking to take away from anyone or undercut and kill the economy , just participate in something I've enjoyed in the past. Is that really so bad?

Vulsahdaal · August 2015

DisgracefulMind wrote: »

Gives an opportunity for trustworthy guilds with good deals? A.) Have you seen console prices?!

Ive played both so Ive seen console prices. Theyre high, but no higher than PC prices were when the game was just a few months old. The prices will come down, they are already. A couple weeks ago a blue motif would cost about 2000g. Now you can get one for under 1000g. Soon enough will probably be the same as PC.
Im rather happy with the current system (except maybe the search feature) and honestly dont care for the idea of an auction house at all.
However, the one problem I do see with the current system in console is, in PC if we werent in a large trading guild, or even if we werent in a guild at all, we still could easily sell items through zone chat. I did it for the longest time and still do, and Ill tell you, even now when I advertise WTS an item in zone chat I get no less than 3 responses to buy. There are even times I get so many responses so quickly, that I have to scroll back to see who was first.
Text/Zone chat is a feature that is noticeably missing and definitely needed in console, and would be a big help for smaller and/or guildless players to sell their items, as well as advertise WTB an item you are looking for and cant find and/or dont have time to go from trader to trader which seem to be the 2 main arguments people use for an auction house.
So as much as I am satisfied with the current system in PC, I can also understand why console people feel their system is more difficult- because it is..

AlnilamE · August 2015

KiraTsukasa wrote: »

Divinius wrote: »

wraith808 wrote: »

Divinius wrote: »

Lucius_Aelius wrote: »

I don't think you know what an economy is if you don't think this game has one, because that's just nonsense, just because the economy is chaotic and rapidly changing doesn't mean it doesn't exist at all, and yes an auction house would completely ruin the game's economy.

OK... So the game does have an economy. It's "chaotic and rapidly changing" which you somehow equate to "good."

Adding an AH would stabilize it significantly, which you equate to "ruining it."

Does that about sum it up?

There's another part about stabilizing that people that argue for AH significantly overlook, showing that there are biases on both sides.

To take an extreme view, SWTOR has an AH. They have a 2 day time limit on auctions. You can *watch* as items migrate towards the lowest price point over time. Then, once they disappear (because of the two day time limit), you can see as they're listed at an exorbitant price.

Then the vicious cycle starts all over again.

That's what you mean by a stable market? And you see that to an extent on every game that has an AH that I've seen.

There is a middle ground. But, people only want to discuss having a global AH.

Of course, there is always going to be some price fluctuations, even with a global AH. But you can't seriously be arguing the the fluctuations would be worse than the mess we have currently!

And to all the people that are using the argument of "anyone can make money selling stuff in the current system!"...

I understand what you are trying to say. Anyone in the game is free to join an established guild that has a guild trader in a prime location every week, and sell their wares for huge profits. That's true. But the part you are missing is that there's a very limited number of those traders, and hence, players that can use them to sell their stuff.

How many traders are in the game, 140? And how many traders, on average, does a typical player check when looking for an item? I guarantee very few actually check all 140. I'd bet that most people don't bother checking more than 20 tops.

So 20 guilds x 500 players = 10k people that can sell their stuff. Oh, but wait, any one player can be in up to five guilds, so there's not really 10k spots open, since a player can consume up to 5 of those. Lets say the average number of those guilds that those players are in is only 2, so that leaves 5000 spots open for people that can really sell stuff well.

How many people play this game? Let's say there's only 50k people on the PC/NA server (that number is likely a gross underestimate). That means that only 10% of the player-base has access to those good guild spots.

So yes, while anyone can get into one of those spots, not everyone can get into them, since there's only a limited number. Every person that pushes to get in, shoves another player out.

I'm sorry, but a market where only 10% of the player-base has a chance to sell their items at any given time is not what I'd call a fair, or even functional, system.

{edited because I forgot the quote}

And since some of the traders are in such out of the way places (ie. Bleakrock Isle) that they are a waste of money to hold due to poor traffic and thus poor sales, it reduces the number of vendors even more.

The trader in Bleakrock is steps from the Wayshrine. I've gotten some good deals there when doing my shopping rounds.

If you want to complain about trader location, have a look at Shornhelm.

Paulington · August 2015

There are many issues with this trader system and I've long been an advocate of a central auction house in this game.

However, that said, my main gripe with this system is that it forces (yes, literally forces) someone, namely me in my guild, to stay up until 3am (or around 5am with maintenance) JUST IN CASE we lose our trader and I have to go rooting around for one in the back-o-beyond traders that may not have been taken.

Any system that forces players to be online at silly-o'clock in the morning just in case they lose their bid and they don't want to go a week without a trader needs amending. Would it really be that hard to have traders flip at 8pm on a Friday or something?

Nisto · August 2015

would be nice they made a zone just for this, like EQ 1 bazaar zone.

driosketch · August 2015

Korah_Eaglecry wrote: »

driosketch wrote: »

QueenAyrenn wrote: »

Bids for some traders are getting close to one million.

Last week my two guilds picked up traders in Shornhelm both for 100g each. You guys fighting over the "Top" spots are going to price yourselves out of business.

How much profit are you and your guildies drawing in over there in Shornhelm? I bet not as much as youd make in Wayrest, Mournhold and so forth.

Well considering I kept selling out of stock, it's pretty much impossible I could get more sales at any other location. I already price to be competitive with the 7 clusters. If anything, I benefit being in a cluster of smaller guilds at one of the more popular bank-n-craft towns, where I can get what I call a convenience premium. I don't have to worry much about other sellers undercutting my bread and butter stock, and if I have something to sell none of the other local sellers have, I don't need to undercut hoping to make a sale.

And to update on my original statement. Both guilds bid to keep their trader the next week. One guild bid more than 4 times what the other guild did. The lower bid won their spot while the higher bidder lost. The higher bidder still managed to snag an unhired trader in Stormhold, arguably the best bank-n-craft town in the game, for another 100g. This week one guild is still at Shornhelm, while the one in Stormhold was out bid and is without a trader this week. Looking at the guild that moved around, they grabbed unhired traders that had previously been held by the same guild for multiple weeks. (Source: http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/164068/guild-trader-information-na-server-pc/p1 ) Each time we got out bid, it was by the returning guild. Those guilds had no trader during those weeks we held it. If I had to guess, assuming the member responsible for bidding wasn't on vacation, they tried to bid on a "better" spot. In the meantime, I made a decent amount of gold in their old spots while they took a break.

PS, not counting starter islands, the SideKick Order has held a trader in a majority of zones, including two stayes in Eldenroot and multiple stays in Shornhelm. Shornhelm is better for business now than it has been in the past. The Wyrd Tree trader in Glenumbra, however, is a hidden gem of a spot.

gard · August 2015

amgame308_ESO wrote: »

Trust me.... we have PLENTY do to with global auction houses. It's player driven for the most part... but we WILL crash certain items on purpose to keep them within reason. We will also FLOOD the holy hell out of the drops with that item

Thanks to an NDA, I can not comment on what MMO I develop for I'll be able to after September though.

Please do. Because that's one MMO I will never play.

gard · August 2015

Cherryblossom wrote: »

lordrichter wrote: »

King Bozo wrote: »

To many guilds not enough kiosks. We need more spots.

The game should allow one megaserver to have a different number of traders locations than all of the other megaservers. My thought is that the out-of-the-box base design for the world requires that the same kiosks and NPC traders exist in all worlds on each of the 6 megaservers. Different megaservers have different populations, so it needs to be possible to customize guild trader kiosks for each one.

ZOS really needs to sit down and make some updates to the guild trader system. This will go a long long way to resolving problems that people have with the system. I am sure they know this, but I fear that it could be months before anyone at ZOS has time to take a look at this, if they do it at all.

You do realise that there is only two Mega Server, one in EU the other in NA....

Two for each platform. Check your math.

alanspurlock_ESO · August 2015

gard wrote: »

amgame308_ESO wrote: »

Trust me.... we have PLENTY do to with global auction houses. It's player driven for the most part... but we WILL crash certain items on purpose to keep them within reason. We will also FLOOD the holy hell out of the drops with that item

Thanks to an NDA, I can not comment on what MMO I develop for I'll be able to after September though.

Please do. Because that's one MMO I will never play.

They all do it silly goose

Spearshard · August 2015

As I've read through this entire thread I've come across one idea, that I'm really surprised didn't completely end the argument and have everyone yelling, "this is genius, this solves it!" The idea that one tradekiosk set up in the major hub, per zone, or hey, let's even make it better, the capitol of the faction that anyone can post on, not just guilds. Or have a specific bazaar zone. Transport in via qayshrine and you can essentially have a AH but still maintains its "realism" for all those who argue that. A centralized bazzar is essentially how every human being in pre modern history did their shopping. But personally I like the single trade center per faction. Maybe in the starter city? The items are listed there, so you can't argue the long distance delivery (though the current system already does this but let's leave semantics alone) and it gives everyone access. Win win.

JoLeSi · August 2015

I support the whole 'free market' concept, actually. I normally don't have a hard time finding anything I need. The only requested change I have would be to add a search box to the UI. Please, by all things holy, give me a search box.

And it's much more realistic, the guild traders and such, than a worldwide auction house would be.

JoLeSi · August 2015

lordrichter wrote: »

Divinius wrote: »

Notice that all the people saying "the current system is fine" are people looking to SELL their stuff.

The concept is fine, the execution needs to be fine tuned.

Yes, I am a seller, but I am also a buyer. I am a frequent buyer of recipes and other supplies needed to complete my writs. I have not had any trouble find the recipes, but you can't just randomly pick kiosks. Some guilds are better at stocking everyday stuff.

I make sure i note the guild that I am buying from and where they are. I try to go back to them when I can. One of the improvements needed for guilds in general is a way to find out where a guild has their trader. This would be great as part of a directory of guilds that we could use to find and join guilds.

It also helps to find a large guild with an active store to become a member of. Often times the best place to shop is at home.

Agree with this heartily. Shoutout to Royal Bank of Tamriel for rarely failing me!

alanspurlock_ESO · August 2015

You know... I have never had a problem finding anything either.

Chat: Hey... anyone have _blankItem ?
Chat: I do! _moneyAmmount and it's yours!

But... I have been giving some thought into making like a craigslist or ebay clone for eso again. But it would tough to justify when there is no guarantee anyone will use it.

During launch I created esoexchange.com But no one used it.... All people would say "It's a gold site!" Yet... they never even visited it to see lmao... So i just gave up on it.

Still have the files on my HDD too.