On Jewelry, and Market Dynamics
Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 2:54 pm
Im posting this in a separate thread from the similar one here, so as not to hijack. These are my views on the market and jewelry, and mine alone. I am expressing them only to share my perspective, not in an attempt to persuade others to my view.
Im unlikely to expound too much more on these subjects, because I have ample experience with the high emotions this kicks up. Ill briefly respond to reasoned arguments and thoughtful questions, but the inevitable flames will be cheerfully ignored. But, hey - the next time someone on the forums compares me to a historical genocidal dictator, or something like that, maybe someone in the community can take issue with that kind of hateful hyperbole instead of cheering them on? Just a thought.
Be well & bright blessings.
- As I have stated before, I have no problems whatsoever with homins buying what I craft, and reselling them. I recognize that Atys is, like it or hate it, a homin-driven free-market economy. That issue isnt up to you or I to decide, it is already defined by how the market mechanics are set up - no taxes, no overhead, no fees, no restrictions. Thats a completely free market.
- Although I can and do make q250 jewelry sets, it takes me several times the effort in time and materials to do so, as compared to Haddo. (/target Haddo /bow) At the time he retired his jewelling mallet, his success percentage for all patterns would have been, I believe, 80% or so. All of my patterns but one are at 5% success, and will not rise above that for quite some time. Therefore, even if I were able to jewel craft all day without going (further) insane, I could not supply the demand in the market to the extent Haddo did.
- You dont need q250 jewelry to grind levels in. You can get along just fine with q200 or below jewels, which are readily available at an affordable price. Stat bonuses are not even intended to be jewelrys primary purpose--that being, to increase your resistances. The one area where you can greatly benefit from a q250 set is for extra focus, if youre a high level harvester - but presumably all the high harvesters snatched those up when they were available for cheap.
- In my view, jewelry is akin to a legalized but highly addictive substance. Everyone wants it, everyone can use it, and up until recently it was pretty easily affordable, so most everyone had it. Now, given the market dynamics of supply and demand, the best jewelry is once again a luxury item. This is understandably upsetting to those who now need to settle for a less potent fix. The difference between loved and hated pushers is the price of their crack.
- Due to my low success %, when I craft I get jewels in a range from q100 to q250. Those below q150, I generally just sell to NPC. The ones from 150 to 205 or so, I price to be competitive with what other crafters are making, in order that they sell at a good pace and free up my 128-item shelf space. Above that level though, I am pricing far higher than what youre used to paying, which is my own way of coping with the reselling issue. The speculators are welcome to buy & resell what I make, but I intend to price my crafts in such a way that they are fairly closely balanced with what the market will bear - thus making it difficult for those who resell to make a windfall profit on my efforts. This sliding-scale pricing also has the side benefit of preserving a place in the market for those jewelers who are working their way up.
- Lastly, I do believe that dappers have value, and I craft jewelry in part with the intention of amassing wealth - for my personal use, but mostly to further the cause of my guild mates. However, I am happy that this also helps the community to some extent by making available an item that might otherwise be difficult to obtain. But understand that just because I *can* do this, does not *obligate* me to do so nor to do so at a price that you consider fair If you think Im charging too much for a given item, then by all means support the efforts of a more affordable crafter.
Im unlikely to expound too much more on these subjects, because I have ample experience with the high emotions this kicks up. Ill briefly respond to reasoned arguments and thoughtful questions, but the inevitable flames will be cheerfully ignored. But, hey - the next time someone on the forums compares me to a historical genocidal dictator, or something like that, maybe someone in the community can take issue with that kind of hateful hyperbole instead of cheering them on? Just a thought.
Be well & bright blessings.