Economy And Trading From Noobs To Pros, Everyone?

[Maozorz 127]

Do you think it would be useful for there to be a guide on how noobs can make coins by resource-collecting and selling to higher level players?

I imagine it can only do good for all Wurmians, the noobs can benefit from skill gain and coins whilst the pros can benefit from time-saving and mass-resource buying.

It would be a nice boost to the in game economy, would it not? This could grow and spread, and would make Wurm more awesome, as well as bring more players to the game in the long run.

Tips/comments/whatever?

EDIT: I'm saying noobs/pros but this could just mean anyone and everyone, trading as a whole.

Edited October 22, 2012 by Maozorz

[Brash_Endeavors 4,735]

Easiest way for lower skilled players to make money, is by doing things that better-financed players do not want to spend time on. You'll never be able to compete with skilled players on "professional crafted goods" as a skilled crafter can make a 70Q item in very little time. (I should not say 'never' as a determined player CAN make a business at a skilled trade, but they need more stubbornness and determination than most have. Wurm LOVES stubborn people.)

Resource gathering itself is not that profitable either, as skilled players can usually do this fast and get higher quality resources. Sometimes quality does not matter though and you can make good money harvesting olives or grapes in season, or easily transported materials like tar or clay. There is often a market for dirt but its a pain to store and transport it. But what is most profitable is converting raw resources into bulk construction goods such as bricks, mortar, mine reinforcements, iron ribbons, iron fence bars, planks, wood floorboards, nails. Usually quality does not matter on those. Once we know the details of the new multistory, there may be new demands for things like thatching for roofs etc. For a new player, probably the most "stable" employment is to find a reputable player business that already specializes in bulk items, and ask about working on a commission. In many cases they probably get more orders than they can easily fill and will often pay fairly well, simply to maintain their businesses reputation as a fast reliable source of these goods. If they find you are hardworking and reliable, they will probably always have jobs for you. While you could make more silver working for yourself in direct player-to-player sales, the biggest issue will be how to transport those goods, and finding customers. An established playerrun business will already have large ships with rafts, and have a transportation system already worked out. They also will have contacts giving them high volumes of sales, which means there is always something you can make on commission for them. But -- its boring work. That's why the skilled players (who can probably do the same work in one third the time), would rather pay to have someone else do it.

Many veteran players also hire new players in order to give them an opportunity to work towards their initial premium sub. Things like digging jobs, or filling frypans for someone skilling up on Hot Food Cooking (HFC) can especially work out well. The main problem however is connecting with such opportunities can be chancy and a matter of being around at the right time and place. The best way to get these opportunities, is to simply get yourself known as a helpful player with a good attitude, as your reputation will open some doors for you (or close doors if you are seen as a difficult or unreliable person).

And. a smart entrepreneur can always make money by studying closely the markets and looking for opportunities and gaps that they can fill. Keep an eye on kingdom chats for jobs, and check daily the forums "Want to Buy" threads for patterns. This is not easy but a clever person can always find a way. You can also sometimes hit paydirt by exploring the entire map and finding abandoned traders or items at long disbanded villages, but you have to be someone who likes to spend a lot of time looking on the off chance of a big payoff. Usually the locals will beat you to such prizes.

The one thing you have to watch out for, is established players who take some advantage of newer players, which sadly does happen sometimes. They pay much less than the going rate and tell you they are doing you a favor. I think sometimes they believe that, too. Anyway in time you just have to learn to avoid those because many other Wurm players are more than happy to deal fairly with new players, many will even overpay just to help a young player get a good start.

See also this thread for some good advice: http://forum.wurmonl...is-it-worth-it/

Because sometimes the very best way to get silver, is simply to buy it. For some players that is not an option, but for many, it ends up letting them relax and fully enjoy the game more than doing boring jobs. I think most players however like to at least give a run at "making money" in the early game. But the paradox is -- it's easiest to make money when you are least in need of money. IE, once you are better established in the game and already have solid skills and an established village. I have more silver than I really need now, simply because I no longer really need silver at all. If you can afford to buy silver the first 2-3 months, you'll probably find after that that you will naturally start accumulating silver without even noticing.

Edited October 22, 2012 by Brash_Endeavors

[Maozorz 127]

Very informative and helpful, thanks a lot.