Flowcharting, anyone?

[Destichado]

Has anyone else made a spreadsheat to tabulate mercantile data?


It's very useful. Once you have that, you can start calculating to maximize your profits per hours of game time -which I've done. Getting ahold of the world map is helpful, too.

A little gift -based on up to date exchange rates. If they ever change, just plug in the new numbers.


You don't get my flowchart, though. The thinking you have to do on your own.

 

[Aekeron]

That's very useful - thanks

One thing I was thinking about, though... With the limited pack space, might it be better sometimes to go with more expensive items that have less of a profit margin rather than less expensive with a greater profit margin? Hmm..

 

[Lhorkan]

Increase your inventory skill... You'll have more inventory space...

Oh, BTW, I'm having problems with Excel, so I can't veiw your list right now... I thought about doing that also anyway, but assuming I'll continue with my squire first, I won't really need such a list right now.

Thanks anyway.

 

[Aekeron]

"Increase your inventory skill... You'll have more inventory space... "

That doesn't really solve the problem.

Even with maxed inventory skill, you'd have this problem.

Not that the number of spaces matter so much, but lets assume you have 50 inventory spaces at max skill. Lets also say you've got 90,000 GD. You buy 50xsalt at the salt mine. This costs you (50x57=2850gd). You then sell all of this in Zendar and get (50x179=8950). Quite a hefty profit margin, but not particularly hefty profit total.

On another trip, you buy 50xfurs from Khudan (50x697=34850). You then sell them in Suno for (50x1002=50100). The profit margin isn't quite so good, but you're making a lot more cash per trip.

 

[Lhorkan]

Oh, if you're talking about those loads of goods... Then you're right, indeed.

 

[Aekeron]

Woo. Nice to be right about something for once :p

 

[Gnu]

I like your flowchart! ...a bit confusing at first though hehe

 

[okiN]

"Increase your inventory skill... You'll have more inventory space... "

That doesn't really solve the problem.

Even with maxed inventory skill, you'd have this problem.

Not that the number of spaces matter so much, but lets assume you have 50 inventory spaces at max skill. Lets also say you've got 90,000 GD. You buy 50xsalt at the salt mine. This costs you (50x57=2850gd). You then sell all of this in Zendar and get (50x179=8950). Quite a hefty profit margin, but not particularly hefty profit total.

On another trip, you buy 50xfurs from Khudan (50x697=34850). You then sell them in Suno for (50x1002=50100). The profit margin isn't quite so good, but you're making a lot more cash per trip.

Problem is that none of the merchants carry that kind of cash. Let alone fifty furs.

 

[Aekeron]

Lol. Good point

Perhaps you could trade it for other items as well...making a round trip of 4 or 5 cities, picking up gold/goods in each one.

But, on the other hand, you wouldn't be dealing with 50 items anyhow. Probably more like half of that at the best of times. The more important thing is the "higher priced items total profit" vs the "lower priced items profit margin". I think that higher priced items become more useful in later life (if you're still bothering with the whole merchant thing).

*looks at figures again*

To simplify it more, the most profit per item. As marked in the original spreadsheet, Spice is the best at 305/bag.

 

[Wanderer]

You run into problems on this though, for serious trading.

Example, Jelkala only carries 2 or 3 velvets at a time (at least the 5 times I've visited them). The amount available needs to be taken into account for actual profit. Running 3 velvets for a 5k profit might be less valuable then running 25 salts from the mine to Zendar.

 

[Aekeron]

Hmm.. Another good point

I'll have to take stock of a few of the contents of the town merchants.. ;p

 

[JohnathanStrange]

I would've constructed the same table had not all my accountants been killed or carried off by Khergit raiders last moon.

One must remember that the table does not reflect the time, distance, and danger certain of these trades entail.

So, good luck you velvet traders! The Dark Knights will love it!