PS4 NA Guild trader corupption/Price fixing

Decayed_Inside · January 2016

Okay so what I need here is ZOS to send someone in game to investigate this situation. What is happening is a certian guild or group of guild leaders is more accurate, Is manipulating the guild trader market. What they are doing specifically is creating new trading guilds, winning the bid on guild traders, then if anyone actually wants to compete and get a guild trader in a prime spot like Mournhold, Rawl'hka, Or Gratwood they have to pay these manipulative players for the spot. Meaning they have a monopoly on the guild traders. Ask some of the trading guild about this. Do some research please. This is completely ruining the guild trader system and they are price fixing as well. I know at least one of the guilds doing it. ZOS just send people to sit at these prime locations and listen you can hear the other guilds complaining about it very often. Admitting they had to pay 1.5 million to this corrupt guild just to get a spot and exist as a marketplace. This is completely unacceptable and something should be done. I know some of you reading this know about this situation and it's time to step up and stop this. Don't name names here but if you have info say you do and that @ZOS_GinaBruno can PM you to get the info. I know there's at least one person wanting to bring this down because I heard you talking last night. I've known about this a long time that's why i left a certain guild and I really want this to stop. ZOS please take this seriously it's a very real situation. Thanks for reading and I'm sorry my English skills are not the best.

LBC_Demon · January 2016

I have heard about this and it sounds nuts.

I think the traders should be a flat price and then the game should just do a lottery to pick which guilds get it this week.

deathscythe · January 2016

sounds like a supply and demand issue. Its like real estate . Prime piece of real estate will fetch higher. They've just figured out a way to corner the market and basically be land lords on the properties.

I'm pretty sure ZOS will say its a mechanic of the guild trader system. Means other guild traders will just need to hype up their spot via word of mouth. I for one will search for certain guild traders I normally see with good prices and good items where ever they move.

Decayed_Inside · January 2016

I know they people doing it have a facebook group and I know what it's called but it's private so i can't search it. Maybe i can tell a game master and they can sneak inside? I'm not even sure if ZOS does that sort of undercover work (lmao) but I know one of the guilds responsible as well.

Decayed_Inside · January 2016

deathscythe wrote: »

sounds like a supply and demand issue. Its like real estate . Prime piece of real estate will fetch higher. They've just figured out a way to corner the market and basically be land lords on the properties.

I'm pretty sure ZOS will say its a mechanic of the guild trader system. Means other guild traders will just need to hype up their spot via word of mouth. I for one will search for certain guild traders I normally see with good prices and good items where ever they move.

It's market manipulation and It's illegal in real life. Price fixing and monopolies are illegal FYI and not valid business strat.

Brrrofski · January 2016

I don't understand the problem here?

People are buying the spot and then what?

They're telling a guild to pay 1.5 mil for what? Them not to bid next time?

Decayed_Inside · January 2016

Brrrofski wrote: »

I don't understand the problem here?

People are buying the spot and then what?

They're telling a guild to pay 1.5 mil for what? Them not to bid next time?

They create a fake guild. They win the spot. They sell the fake guild to someone for 1.5 mil with the prime spot.

Erdmanski · January 2016

Brrrofski wrote: »

I don't understand the problem here?

People are buying the spot and then what?

They're telling a guild to pay 1.5 mil for what? Them not to bid next time?

Yeah, I'm confused as well. I have noticed that some of the prime spots have been owned by guilds that have absolutely nothing for sale, but I don't see the purpose. So these people are dropping 1mil + gold every week just to keep other people from having it?

Let them waste their gold and go to another location.

Decayed_Inside · January 2016

Erdmanski wrote: »

Brrrofski wrote: »

I don't understand the problem here?

People are buying the spot and then what?

They're telling a guild to pay 1.5 mil for what? Them not to bid next time?

Yeah, I'm confused as well. I have noticed that some of the prime spots have been owned by guilds that have absolutely nothing for sale, but I don't see the purpose. So these people are dropping 1mil + gold every week just to keep other people from having it?

Let them waste their gold and go to another location.

They aren't wasting gold because people are paying then big bucks for those spots. That or empty guild traders sit there. Having noticed empty guild traders at prime locations you don't feel something is fishy with that? They are not going broke doing this by any means they are getting rich. This post is not meant to be a debate with the community this situation is real and this is me asking @ZOS_GinaBruno to help. Anything else i do will be ignored she's the only one i know who actually cares about us.

Oldmanlawlor · January 2016

All is fair in love and war, unfortunately.

Decayed_Inside · January 2016

Oldmanlawlor wrote: »

All is fair in love and war, unfortunately.

And business is neither love or war next comment. Manipulating the market like this is certainly against the TOS

You may not (a) distribute, publicly perform or display, sell, transmit, publish, edit, reproduce, sublicense, rent, lease, loan or otherwise transfer any Game, Software, and/or Content, including without limitation any access keys; (b) modify, adapt, reverse engineer or decompile the Software, or otherwise attempt to derive source code from the Software; (c) create any derivative works based upon any Services;

Heindrich · January 2016

Maybe it's a trade war? Nobody would be stupid enough to buy a trade guild with no active members just because it is currently holding a good spot. Sorry but your conspiracy theory doesn't make sense.

The only way in which it would make sense for me to use proxy guilds to buy out the prime guild traders is to push my rivals out of business. Otherwise it's just a waste of gold.

Erdmanski · January 2016

Decayed_Inside wrote: »

Erdmanski wrote: »

Brrrofski wrote: »

I don't understand the problem here?

People are buying the spot and then what?

They're telling a guild to pay 1.5 mil for what? Them not to bid next time?

Yeah, I'm confused as well. I have noticed that some of the prime spots have been owned by guilds that have absolutely nothing for sale, but I don't see the purpose. So these people are dropping 1mil + gold every week just to keep other people from having it?

Let them waste their gold and go to another location.

They aren't wasting gold because people are paying then big bucks for those spots. That or empty guild traders sit there. Having noticed empty guild traders at prime locations you don't feel something is fishy with that? They are not going broke doing this by any means they are getting rich. This post is not meant to be a debate with the community this situation is real and this is me asking @ZOS_GinaBruno to help. Anything else i do will be ignored she's the only one i know who actually cares about us.

So they are making money by people paying them to not bid on the spot next time? Then those people should stop giving them money, plain and simple. They still have to bid the 1mil+ gold every week to get it. So if they continue to do this every week and get nothing in return, it is just costing them gold.

I just don't see how this is an issue that ZOS even needs to address.

Decayed_Inside · January 2016

Erdmanski wrote: »

Decayed_Inside wrote: »

Erdmanski wrote: »

Brrrofski wrote: »

I don't understand the problem here?

People are buying the spot and then what?

They're telling a guild to pay 1.5 mil for what? Them not to bid next time?

Yeah, I'm confused as well. I have noticed that some of the prime spots have been owned by guilds that have absolutely nothing for sale, but I don't see the purpose. So these people are dropping 1mil + gold every week just to keep other people from having it?

Let them waste their gold and go to another location.

They aren't wasting gold because people are paying then big bucks for those spots. That or empty guild traders sit there. Having noticed empty guild traders at prime locations you don't feel something is fishy with that? They are not going broke doing this by any means they are getting rich. This post is not meant to be a debate with the community this situation is real and this is me asking @ZOS_GinaBruno to help. Anything else i do will be ignored she's the only one i know who actually cares about us.

So they are making money by people paying them to not bid on the spot next time? Then those people should stop giving them money, plain and simple. They still have to bid the 1mil+ gold every week to get it. So if they continue to do this every week and get nothing in return, it is just costing them gold.

I just don't see how this is an issue that ZOS even needs to address.

Not debating this with you this is a post for @ZOS_GinaBruno and it's completely against the TOS to do this see my post above where i educated people such as yourself to that fact. Good day sir.

Brrrofski · January 2016

Right, so they sell it for 1.5 million?

It's safe to assume, they're paying less. They want profit. So it's a matter of each week just bidding and working out how much it costs.

Or, as traders come together and just agree to not pay them. They'll end up wasting their money....

Erdmanski · January 2016

Decayed_Inside wrote: »

Not debating this with you this is a post for @ZOS_GinaBruno and it's completely against the TOS to do this see my post above where i educated people such as yourself to that fact. Good day sir.

Seems likes this is something personal between your trade guild and some other trade guild.

Decayed_Inside · January 2016

Brrrofski wrote: »

Right, so they sell it for 1.5 million?

It's safe to assume, they're paying less. They want profit. So it's a matter of each week just bidding and working out how much it costs.

Or, as traders come together and just agree to not pay them. They'll end up wasting their money....

Maybe for one week but the next week they won't lose guaranteed. Then they will follow your guild trader around and outbid you anywhere you go out of spite. Ask around and if you're not even ps4 then don't comment. Just ask around in game people are shouting this from the rooftops

myrrrorb14_ESO · January 2016

I lost my lol button...

Decayed_Inside · January 2016

Decayed_Inside wrote: »

Brrrofski wrote: »

Right, so they sell it for 1.5 million?

It's safe to assume, they're paying less. They want profit. So it's a matter of each week just bidding and working out how much it costs.

Or, as traders come together and just agree to not pay them. They'll end up wasting their money....

Maybe for one week but the next week they won't lose guaranteed. Then they will follow your guild trader around and outbid you anywhere you go out of spite. Ask around and if you're not even ps4 then don't comment. Just ask around in game people are shouting this from the rooftops

Erdmanski wrote: »

Decayed_Inside wrote: »

Not debating this with you this is a post for @ZOS_GinaBruno and it's completely against the TOS to do this see my post above where i educated people such as yourself to that fact. Good day sir.

Seems likes this is something personal between your trade guild and some other trade guild.

I've asked you nicely to stop trying to derail my thread. Is there something else you need? Or are you in one of these traders and want me to stop exposing you? This is not a debate it's information for ZOS to see what's happening in their game. Don't like it? that's fine agree to disagree and move on please

catalyst10e · January 2016

I'll fall in with the "it doesnt add up" camp. If someone has the gold to buy a fake guild with no memebers to earn the spot, they would have the gold to bid on the location the next time it came around, rather than buy.. what? 3 days worth of time in a "prime" spot with nothing to sell? Also, just because it's prime doesnt mean they'll be making money, who only goes to the prime locations? I personally travel to nearly every major city in Tamriel looking for deals. I only avoid the single guild traders who are just out on the road. If they want to try and control the market, let them waste their money doing so.

Side note: why does ZOS need to make someone in-game to do the investigation? would they hire someone to play a character who looks like a regular player, try and infiltrate the guilds, rise in their ranks and take themd own from the inside? Whats the goal there?

Decayed_Inside · January 2016

catalyst10e wrote: »

I'll fall in with the "it doesnt add up" camp. If someone has the gold to buy a fake guild with no memebers to earn the spot, they would have the gold to bid on the location the next time it came around, rather than buy.. what? 3 days worth of time in a "prime" spot with nothing to sell? Also, just because it's prime doesnt mean they'll be making money, who only goes to the prime locations? I personally travel to nearly every major city in Tamriel looking for deals. I only avoid the single guild traders who are just out on the road. If they want to try and control the market, let them waste their money doing so.

Side note: why does ZOS need to make someone in-game to do the investigation? would they hire someone to play a character who looks like a regular player, try and infiltrate the guilds, rise in their ranks and take themd own from the inside? Whats the goal there?

Why are people seeing guild traders in prime locations with nothing to sell then? Explain how someone is playing millions with no members and nothing to sell. They have active trade guilds. Several of them. They are selling the spots to the competition. What's not to get? They run their trade guild make money, then buy up all the other spots and sell them to the other guilds making more money. Pretty simple to understand if you can't follow it that's not my issue.

Lenikus · January 2016

Then just don't buy stuff from these 'prime locations'. Look harder.
The game doesn't need to adjust itself because you want to shop in a specific place with the prices you believe are fair.

kylewwefan · January 2016

Is this how those sites that get you in game gold for like $20 works?

Decayed_Inside · January 2016

@ZOS_GinaBruno can we get someone to look into this situation? I will be ignoring all comments because i feel these are just the guildies trying to derail this. If someone responds to this post they are talking to themselves from now on out. Gina We need you to look into this it's not a fairy tale it's real. I have a guild name to give you PM me. I also know a guild that has paid them that may be willing to admit it.

Brrrofski · January 2016

Decayed_Inside wrote: »

Brrrofski wrote: »

Right, so they sell it for 1.5 million?

It's safe to assume, they're paying less. They want profit. So it's a matter of each week just bidding and working out how much it costs.

Or, as traders come together and just agree to not pay them. They'll end up wasting their money....

Maybe for one week but the next week they won't lose guaranteed. Then they will follow your guild trader around and outbid you anywhere you go out of spite. Ask around and if you're not even ps4 then don't comment. Just ask around in game people are shouting this from the rooftops

I'm not ps4, but until zos sort it out, I was offering advice for you to consider to ease the situation. I also asked for clarity as your op was a big wall of text missing valuable information.

Won't bother next time. How dare I comment on a forum post!!

I still don't fully understand. They're selling the guild for 1.5 mil? So someone is buying the guild with the spot, then inviting their entire guild to a new guild?

Why not just not have a trader for a few weeks or go elsewhere? The way you've described is not worth the hassle

Erdmanski · January 2016

Decayed_Inside wrote: »

Maybe for one week but the next week they won't lose guaranteed. Then they will follow your guild trader around and outbid you anywhere you go out of spite. Ask around and if you're not even ps4 then don't comment. Just ask around in game people are shouting this from the rooftops

Decayed_Inside wrote: »

Erdmanski wrote: »

Seems likes this is something personal between your trade guild and some other trade guild.

I've asked you nicely to stop trying to derail my thread. Is there something else you need? Or are you in one of these traders and want me to stop exposing you? This is not a debate it's information for ZOS to see what's happening in their game. Don't like it? that's fine agree to disagree and move on please

"Then they will follow your guild trader around and outbid you anywhere you go out of spite."

So basically you just admitted it is something personal between you and them. Everyone else that posted in this thread basically agrees that this is a non-issue.

1. You cannot see who has bid on a guild trader, so just move your trading guild around every week and only by pure chance will you encounter this group that is clearly terrorizing you.

2. I've been in the same trading guild for the past 2 months and we have held the same guild trader that entire time. So you can go ahead and accuse me of whatever you want.

3. I can't stop you from complaining, I'm simply trying to show you that this is a personal issue and it is something you need to deal with. It isn't ZOS's issue. There are plenty of things ZOS needs to focus their time on fixing, but every time they get spammed with complaints like this, it is wasting their time.

KaleidoscopeEyz · January 2016

I'm sorry but I see nothing wrong with this. Bidding on spots can be done by any guild. You want the spot then bid more so you win it. It's a free market and that how it works. Crying about it, on the other hand, is not acceptable. I'm also not sure that the OP fully understands the process.

Why are people seeing guild traders in prime locations with nothing to sell then? Explain how someone is playing millions with no members and nothing to sell.

Bid more and that won't happen. They won't win the spot. Problem solved.

Decayed_Inside · January 2016

Brrrofski wrote: »

Decayed_Inside wrote: »

Brrrofski wrote: »

Right, so they sell it for 1.5 million?

It's safe to assume, they're paying less. They want profit. So it's a matter of each week just bidding and working out how much it costs.

Or, as traders come together and just agree to not pay them. They'll end up wasting their money....

Maybe for one week but the next week they won't lose guaranteed. Then they will follow your guild trader around and outbid you anywhere you go out of spite. Ask around and if you're not even ps4 then don't comment. Just ask around in game people are shouting this from the rooftops

I'm not ps4, but until zos sort it out, I was offering advice for you to consider to ease the situation. I also asked for clarity as your op was a big wall of text missing valuable information.

Won't bother next time. How dare I comment on a forum post!!

I'm not trying to be rude to you, sorry. I'm just not trying to debate a situation i know is very real. I have info for ZOS if they will PM me. Nothing is going to solve this minus it being stopped. People can say whatever they like on this thread but @ZOS_GinaBruno I have information as to who is doing this.

catalyst10e · January 2016

Decayed_Inside wrote: »

catalyst10e wrote: »

I'll fall in with the "it doesnt add up" camp. If someone has the gold to buy a fake guild with no memebers to earn the spot, they would have the gold to bid on the location the next time it came around, rather than buy.. what? 3 days worth of time in a "prime" spot with nothing to sell? Also, just because it's prime doesnt mean they'll be making money, who only goes to the prime locations? I personally travel to nearly every major city in Tamriel looking for deals. I only avoid the single guild traders who are just out on the road. If they want to try and control the market, let them waste their money doing so.

Side note: why does ZOS need to make someone in-game to do the investigation? would they hire someone to play a character who looks like a regular player, try and infiltrate the guilds, rise in their ranks and take themd own from the inside? Whats the goal there?

Why are people seeing guild traders in prime locations with nothing to sell then? Explain how someone is playing millions with no members and nothing to sell. They have active trade guilds. Several of them. They are selling the spots to the competition. What's not to get? They run their trade guild make money, then buy up all the other spots and sell them to the other guilds making more money. Pretty simple to understand if you can't follow it that's not my issue.

The part where they buy a location and try to sell the spot isnt the part that doesnt make sense, what doesnt make sense is the notion it's a grad conspiracy. You hold the spot for, what? a week? (I forget the timeframe) So if a big guild is bidding millions for the spot, and then selling the "fake" guild to the competition at a mark up (so more millions) how is that a good deal for the competition? If I have millions to spent on a "prime" location, I wouldn't buy it from the competition and I certainly wouldnt spend millions for a couple days in the prime location when I could just as easily let my competition spend millions to keep the spot and wait for it to come up for bid again.
I don't think they should own a monopoly over the spaces, but it doesnt make sense for them to buy up the space, not use it, and try to sell it, as a means to control the market.

RatedChaotic · January 2016

Decayed_Inside wrote: »

Brrrofski wrote: »

I don't understand the problem here?

People are buying the spot and then what?

They're telling a guild to pay 1.5 mil for what? Them not to bid next time?

They create a fake guild. They win the spot. They sell the fake guild to someone for 1.5 mil with the prime spot.

Out bid the fake guild = problem solved. The only problem I see is that your bidding to low on a prime location. Get you a trader in a so so location. Have good reasonable prices. After people start buying they will remember your guild name and return. Word will spread and you'll get more customers. Your trader does not have to be in a prime location to get good business. Its your prices that bring more people even if your trader is in a swamp.

People want those location because they are high traffic areas but if they are selling kutas for 20k and a guild in the swamp is selling them for 10k. I'll go to the swamp guild and tell guildies the guild name and location because they have good prices.

So it boils down to the prices not the location.

Decayed_Inside · January 2016

Problem will be solved when they get banned for violating the TOS. If you're the one doing it well sorry about your luck