Selling your services...

[pilot]

I was wondering what everyone else does that auctions off their research services. One thing I have noticed in research is you can never be sure of a stable price in the bazaar, so makeing and stocking spells is a poor idea if you can just make the spells to order. The few times I did make any to order, they were level 69 and 70 spells and I charged 10k per spell. I priced similar spells in bazaar for 20k...

Seems to me there should be a good formula for putting a price on spells. Level * x or something. But of course variables like the rareness of soot fine runic vellum that drives the prices of those parchements to 8-10K which is way higher than any of the 71-75 parchments... What do you do?

[Roanne]

Its all supply and demand. The spell research skill products are primarily targeting the alt market. Most people arent going to drop a lot of pp into a spell for an alt that upgrades anyway in 5 more levels. Your best bet is figuring out which alt classes are popular (it used to be clerics but mercenaries have killed that) and which of those class' spells dont upgrade or can only be obtained through full group content (like the DoN raid spells or DoD/PoR task arc spells).

After that, its just a matter of finding someone willing to pay what you ask.

Many traders try the spell level x pp constant to price their spells when they start out but those traders rarely do well and often care large inventories that rarely sell.

I think your right about making spells to order being the most economical means to use the skill, but advertising and getting customers to actually solicit spells from you can be almost as difficult as just figuring out which spells to stock (unless youre willing to sacrifice some of your play time doing this instead of actually playing the game).

[Xerius]

I think your right about making spells to order being the most economical means to use the skill, but advertising and getting customers to actually solicit spells from you can be almost as difficult as just figuring out which spells to stock (unless youre willing to sacrifice some of your play time doing this instead of actually playing the game).

It seemed to me that once I had sent tells to people asking for a Researcher in General Chat a few times, my name got around and I started getting tells asking for Research to be done. I went from 270 skill up just from doing combines for those who asked for spells, so it must have worked, at least to some degree. While playing alts, I have heard my name offered as someone who is willing and able to Research spells.

Price, though, is quite variable. I have lived fairly well from just asking people to give me what the spell is worth to them. The odd few offer less than cost or too near to cost to be worth my doing Research for them again, but most people seem to believe getting a needed spell is worth enough to justify using my time, including a fellow who gave me a quarter million plat for making all his 69 and 70 Shadow Knight spells.

[pilot]

Heh... funny you should mention 69 and 70 SK spells. I just did them all for a guildy... of course all guild work is free. (quarter mill would have been nice)

[Shadrok]

Level 63 and 65

My best money comes from level 63 and 65 spells. I've been making and selling them on a bazaar mule since DoDh. Mage spells have always been the best sellers, and pet spells the best of those.

I dinnae make the 66-70 after PoR (exept by order), because the runes were selling cheaper than I could make the spells. But now, with vellum cheaper and noone hunting the rune mobs, I am starting to stock some in that range.

I haven't ventured into the 71-75 market, although I have 200 of each paper that I bought when they made nothing. I don't expect those to be profitable for a little while. When people stop hunting TSS/TBS, the market for those spells will improve.

When a spell stops selling well, I discontinue making it. I check Lucy for spells I would like if I was that level (also based on what raw materials I have in stock). Then I check the bazaar to see if someone is already making them. I make a few to test the market, If they sell well, I make 10 of them. My seller only stocks one of each; my main researcher has the remining stock stored in the bank for resupply.

I've never advertised, except to tell friends and guildies that I could make spells for them. Those I sell at cost, but often just give away. I have 2 skill 300 spell makers (one with maxed trophy) and another at 275. Other toons make the solutions and will eventually replace my current spellmakers. Heh ... I hate to make spells without getting something out of it.

For prices:
Level 61/62 - 1500
Level 63 - 2500
Level 64 - 3500
Level 65+ - 5000