How important is "networking" to your GW trading/collecting?

I'm wondering how the folks around here feel about networking as it applies to gear trading and collecting in Guild Wars.

So, some questions for the panel ...

1. When you're active in trading (shopping to buy and/or looking to sell,) would you say you have a network of players you work with or not?
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2. Are there some players whose PC opinions you give more weight to than average? If so, do you seek their advice first when trying to PC your items?
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3. Do you notice and remember what some players collect or focus on and try to get in touch with them when faced with a new item of your own to buy or sell? If so, do you get in touch with those folks before or after you make your buy/sell intentions known to the public (spamming in game, posting a Ventari's thread, etc.?)
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4. Will you go out of your way to help hook up two players if you see a potential pair of buyer and seller? Examples would be PMing the owner of a Buy thread a link to a relevant Sell thread other than your own or whispering a player with a WTB ad about a seller you know of. If yes, are you likely to do that for anybody or just for friends?
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5. Do you sometimes favor buyers in your network over people you don't know, or do you sell things to the high bidder no matter what? The same question for cases when you're shopping - are you more likely to buy from a seller you know, or do you buy from whomever offers the lowest price?
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6. How much does the buddy factor influence you when buying or selling? Are you more likely to buy or sell something you see on a friend's list? Do you sell only things you really don't want to keep and buy only things you really "need," regardless of who the other player is?

   EDIT - Just to clarify, I'm asking about things like ...
   - Do you sometimes "impulse buy" things more because you're impressed by or fond of the seller, things you probably wouldn't have bought had someone else been selling them for the same price?
   - If you're impressed by or fond of a buyer, do you sometimes offer to sell them something you would otherwise have kept in your own private stash/collection?

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7. How many of your trades would you say are private deals, where the price is worked out without taking public offers?
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8. Are there some players you refuse to trade with under any circumstances? If so, what sort of things earn someone a place on your list? (Please keep it civil and try not to rage when answering!)
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9. EDIT - New question: If you're willing to share such detail with us, would you say you trade mostly in the <70k item market, the 10-250e market, the >250e market, or a mix of those? (Such information might shed useful light on the discussion, I'm not sure.)

I'll admit reading jimbo's thread about pricing got me wondering about this at first. Now that I'm wondering, I really would be interested to read folks' responses.

Thanks & Cheers!

1. A trader network is essential in my opinion. I would say 90% of my high end trades over the years occurred with the same people. Of course this depends on what market the trader deals in.
There is undoubtedly a select echelon of traders for each market; req7s, req8s, oldschool caster, nerfed, minipet, who tend to earn a name in the area and are the usual 'go-to' person.

2. Once again, I just refer to the relevant trader I know who dabbles in the particular market. Minipets especially I seek advice on.

3. In the current market, the network is becoming increasingly important and certain item enthusiasts who are prepared to pay a premium for collectors gear are essential in the business.

4. Not so much on guru, but within the network news spreads pretty fast. When you stand around bored, spamming in Kamadan, you can't help but churn out all the buying/selling news to your fellow trader.

5. Generally, cash is king so the highest bidder gets it. However if one's network is developed enough, the familiar buyer will be the highest bidder anyway.

6. Once again, given the trader is well connected, his network will include the highest paying individual anyway. The high end circles are pretty close-knit. Of course insiders have more bargaining power.

7. Low end trades tend to go down on the forums seeing as the items aren't worth spamming. The high end deals generally take place internally if the price is right, or go to bidding if negotiations lead to an impasse and external demand has to be tested.
Ultimately, I'd say 90% of my 1000e+ trades were private deals.

8. If the price is right I'll deal with anyone, the premium tend to increase in proportion to the counterparty's abilities to beleaguer.

network isnt good to get bargains but a good way to get desired items.

^ I agree with Superraptors. Some of my best items that I spent most of my money on were all from the same people, because I knew what they had, and I knew their prices.

Good questions

1. Absolutely.

2. Yes. But I find it better to get multiple PC's from different sources.

3. Yes, I do make note of who likes to buy and sell what items, and if they are a friend I will get in touch with them first.

4. If it is someone I don't know, then NO. Absolutely not. Because I find it rude when people I don't know do that to me. If it is a friend on the otherhand, then yes - because I will more than likely know what price range that person is selling/buying at.

5. Yes I will always go to a friend or person in my network if I have an item I know they are looking for before I take it to the public.

6. Not exactly sure what you're asking here. Sounds like question 5.

7. Alot of my sales are a result of seeing "WTB ads" and will usually sell to that person without announcing my item for sale. I would say about 50/50.

8. Yes. General uncalled for rudeness and disrespect.

I think its good to have a close network of 3-6 people, and then generally have an idea of what most of the other traders are all about. Being respectful is also a big deal to me. I think part of the fun is to have other people to share your experiences with.

So to answer your main question...it's very possible to be able to collect and trade what you want going "lone ranger," navigating under the radar can have its benefits. But personally I've enjoyed having a small handful of other people who like trading and watching the market to talk with. It's also much easier getting the word out if you're looking for a particular item. If there is a guy selling/buying an item for 1500e+ he/she would want to know they aren't dealing with a troll just wasting their time, etc.

Anyway, hope this helps! PM me anytime if you need a PC on a mini

this

but

8. There is some people ill never deal with, even for right price

When you're active in trading (shopping to buy and/or looking to sell,) would you say you have a network of players you work with or not?
I'm pretty oddly specific in what it is that I like. There are a few people who keep an eye out for things that might pique my interest. If this counts as a network, then yes I do have one; albeit a fairly small one


Are there some players whose PC opinions you give more weight to than average? If so, do you seek their advice first when trying to PC your items?
There are one or two people who I generally go to before asking anyone else or posting a thread or something along those lines. Its a combination of the fact that I think they have a knowledgeable opinion about these things, as well as the fact that I talk to them on a regular basis. Honestly, I would probably ask someone with a moderate knowledge before someone with great knowledge, if the moderate person was someone I knew better.


Do you notice and remember what some players collect or focus on and try to get in touch with them when faced with a new item of your own to buy or sell? If so, do you get in touch with those folks before or after you make your buy/sell intentions known to the public (spamming in game, posting a Ventari's thread, etc.?)
Outside of a few specific people with fairly specific needs, I usually put items up for general sale when I deem them necessary to part with. If I do wind up asking a specific person, it is ALWAYS before I put something up for general sale


Will you go out of your way to help hook up two players if you see a potential pair of buyer and seller? Examples would be PMing the owner of a Buy thread a link to a relevant Sell thread other than your own or whispering a player with a WTB ad about a seller you know of. If yes, are you likely to do that for anybody or just for friends?
If someone I know is looking to buy or sell something, and I see the item on a respective WTB/WTS thread (or ad in kamadan as the case may be) then yes I will try to hook them up. For other random people, I think I've done that...twice


Do you sometimes favor buyers in your network over people you don't know, or do you sell things to the high bidder no matter what? The same question for cases when you're shopping - are you more likely to buy from a seller you know, or do you buy from whomever offers the lowest price?
If I am going to sell something or buy something, I tend to ask around the people I know first. They tend to get first dibs. After that it goes for general buy/sell and then money dictates. It should be noted that for me personally this is too a point. The example here is that if I am selling something, and somebody takes the b/o, I WILL NOT sell it to a higher bidder until such time as the first person either doesnt want to trade or wont.


How much does the buddy factor influence you when buying or selling? Are you more likely to buy or sell something you see on a friend's list? Do you sell only things you really don't want to keep and buy only things you really "need," regardless of who the other player is?
If I'm understanding the question correctly....see my answer to #4?

How many of your trades would you say are private deals, where the price is worked out without taking public offers?
These days, more and more. But I like to think I'm an odd case, and nobody else would generally want the items that I buy, so usually people come straight to me, or me to them. These things usually arent worth listing for general sale (I'm looking at you PC threads with "merch food" items that I buy via PM) Anyways, I'm not sure how much my personal experience in this field is relevant. Also if I was forced to give a number, probably something like 80% of my trading is done privately, if not more.

Are there some players you refuse to trade with under any circumstances? If so, what sort of things earn someone a place on your list? (Please keep it civil and try not to rage when answering!)
As of yet there is nobody that I flat out refuse to trade with. There are definitely a couple that I dont LIKE to trade with, but do on some occasions. The reasons behind it are sometimes varied and I wont get into it

I can't speak for others, of course, but I'm enjoying reading the responses and appreciating the time you guys took to write them. Thank you guys!

My apologies for the confusion with question 6 about the buddy factor; I've tried to clarify the question in the OP.

And I've added one more question at the end, question 9, in the hope that such information may help to interpret answers to the earlier questions. Please don't misunderstand! I'm looking forward to anyone's contribution to this discussion, no matter their approach to or experience with GW trading.


Cheers!


That's rude? You obviously have every right to take offense at things you deem rude, but would you be willing to expand/explain why you find that rude? It's simply that I've never heard of that sentiment, while I have heard the, "Nah, I don't bother," and the, "Yeah, I'll usually try to help out," from a number of folks over the years. I'm just trying to understand the perspective that would make it offensive, that's all.

It never occurred to me that I might be offending someone when I tried to help out in those situations, and I don't like offending folks unintentionally!

Well maybe it was just my interpretation of your question. I've just had scenarios in the past where people will troll me when I'm looking for a high end item. I've been trading for 3+ years (I know not as long as some of you) so I can usually spot someone who is just trying to have some fun at my expense; i.e., when their "friend" or their "brother" has a particular item i'm looking for and they want to know my offer. I usually will give them the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes it is genuine but in most cases it isn't, and that's what I find rude.

to answer your new question

9. I trade in low end <70k and high end >250e. The benefits of low end is that trades are more consistent and you can keep yourself busy. High end you can just go afk; but usually when I buy a high end item its for personal reasons and not expressly for profit.

Ah ok! So it's just a misunderstanding. What you're describing doesn't sound to me like trying to help out at all, no! I can see where that would be rude. Certainly not always, but if I notice someone looking for something (in WTB spam or Buy thread) and then spot one for sale (in WTS spam elsewhere or Sell thread) I will sometimes try to whisper or PM one or both of them, hoping it helps them get together and work something out.

Thanks for the clarification! I am not nearly so worried now about the situations I'd been thinking of coming off as rude.

1. When you're active in trading (shopping to buy and/or looking to sell,) would you say you have a network of players you work with or not?
   
   -Yes, and I'd agree with Jason; a trader network is essential in my opinion.
   
   
2. Are there some players whose PC opinions you give more weight to than average?
   
   -Yes, those players are often my friends who spend lot of time (read as: more than me..) in the market and know actual and up to date prices of the items I'm looking for / trying to sell.
   
   If so, do you seek their advice first when trying to PC your items?
   
   -Yes.
   
   
3. Do you notice and remember what some players collect or focus on and try to get in touch with them when faced with a new item of your own to buy or sell? If so, do you get in touch with those folks before or after you make your buy/sell intentions known to the public (spamming in game, posting a Ventari's thread, etc.?)
   
   -Yes, and most of the time I contact them (via in-game PM or via Guru..) before I search / post on guru, or in game.
   
   
4. Will you go out of your way to help hook up two players if you see a potential pair of buyer and seller? Examples would be PMing the owner of a Buy thread a link to a relevant Sell thread other than your own or whispering a player with a WTB ad about a seller you know of. If yes, are you likely to do that for anybody or just for friends?
   
   -I don't usually do such things for unknown people, but I often do for my friends.
   
   
5. Do you sometimes favor buyers in your network over people you don't know, or do you sell things to the high bidder no matter what? The same question for cases when you're shopping - are you more likely to buy from a seller you know, or do you buy from whomever offers the lowest price?
   
   -Again, I prefer, and often trade, with people from my friend list and who I know.
   
   
6. How much does the buddy factor influence you when buying or selling? Are you more likely to buy or sell something you see on a friend's list?
   
   -Yes; see answer on question #5.
   
   Do you sell only things you really don't want to keep and buy only things you really "need," regardless of who the other player is?
   
   -I'm afraid I can't answer to this question... although, my answer would most probably be a paradox; I need everything and nothing at the same time...
   
   
7. How many of your trades would you say are private deals, where the price is worked out without taking public offers?
   
   -I'd say probably about 50/50.
   
   
8. Are there some players you refuse to trade with under any circumstances?
   
   -I can't say that I "refuse to trade".. but people that ever offended me finished on my ignore list, so in 99.9% of the time; they won't be trading with me ever again.
   
   
9. Would you say you trade mostly in the <70k item market, the 10-250e market, the >250e market, or a mix of those?
   
   
   -Most of the time, about 80%, I'm in the <70k item market, and that 20%, I'm in 10-250e.

When I was active, Yes. I had people I'd pm for advise, or because maybe they had something I was interested in, or knew a person with such an item.
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Somewhat. 2 answers... Back in 06-09 yes. There were certain people who I asked because they were generally right. In 2010/11 no because pc's are very difficult with a market that is so odd. Things are no longer what they were, so pc's on some things became difficult.
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Sort of. There were a few people who I tried to help. For the most part though, no... I was never that big so I never was one to have the capital to look for certain things I knew people were interested.
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No, because it never really ocurred to me. I was oblivious to the idea, so I never really thought about doing it :S ...
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Lowest price always wins. Most of the time it was people I knew though so.. It worked out better than expected.
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The buddy factor never influenced me. I was never compelled to give anyone a deal or buy from someone in particular to help them out. If someone had something I wanted, I would pay what was needed to acquire said item. If I had something someone wanted the same for them. If they were a friend I'd probably give them a deal because I knew them, but most of the time it was the other way around. They would over pay because they were generous and I was poor.
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50/50. I used to love guru for b/o's and such. Lately most has been private. I really don't trade much, and never have so... I leave it on guru, I might get a pm offer, i might get a post offer. I never kept score so I assume it was 50/50.
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Yes. I will not trade with a few people. As I'm sure a few people will not trade with me. I have my principles, and they have served me well enough. I have no intention of abandoning them to apease someone. They made a choice, and I made a choice.
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I trade in every market possible. If I have cash and I want to get something... I'll buy at w/e my desire is. Usually limited to 2ke. Mostly I sell random stuff in LA, or cons, or minis I have, or mods. Basically.. Anything I have that I don't want I sell. And the prices range from 100g-xxxe+ I'd say I predominantly hover between the 1-10k range to the 150-200e range. Anything over that is an exception, not the rule.