A "Twist" on moneymaking

Every now and then, I notice that the world is a little...different. It isn't lag, it isn't a graphics issue, but something's different. Usually I just grab some ammo and go out to get eaten, but this evening i stopped and tried figuring out what was wrong. And I figured out what it was...it was the economy.

Hangin' out around the TP of Atlantis or Twin Peaks, it's easy to listen to the world buying and selling everything. And if they're buying item x at 110%, they're selling x at 120% -- give or take. But when the world seems ... different ... there are a lot of people one one side of the equation and only one or two on the other. And often, a bunch of people aren't naming prices, and the sellers aren't seeking out the buyers or the buyers aren't talking to anyone. At that point, there's a chance to grap the best loot -- trade money! There's no formal skill in arbitrage, but arbitrage is what I spent the night doing -- profitably.

Everyone knows what sweat goes for, what hide sells for, and the molisk tooth market is always the same. However, with some weird but required metals (cald, blaus and even belk tonight), there's an imbalance. People are selling stuff they "found" in the hills for a fistful of money to buy more mining gear to go and "find" stuff in the hills und so weiter -- they're not as interested in the trade value as much as getting cash quick. And then there's the buyers out there, who are desperate to build a scope, some armor or a bunch of skilling components. They'll pay more than the market to grab those ingots to get to work. Auction buyout costs a lot...and waiting five days for 100 ingots is too long...so they'll buy from other people at a good price. In short, people are buying high, and selling low. The market is backward...and that's where a few stray peds can be found.

I didn't make enough for an estate...I made enough for some Bombardo ice cream and some berycled ribs. But when people are willing to sell belk at 120% and others will buy at 130%, that 10% difference can be a big gain when there are a lot of ingots at play.

It's rare that I was on for so long without getting my head torn off.

Curly Twist Bender