Basic Guide For A Beginning Merchant

[Electric]

Ok, so I have decided to make a little how-to guide for a good start (meaning this is way to earn quick money and then move on to become great merchant). Now, for this strategy to work, you must start out with either the Aperio Caliga (I believe that is how you spell it) or the Fidei Defensor. If you can't, either use a Netiquam Erro or the Vae Victus. You also need to start out with House Thulun. NOTE: This strategy will NOT work with the Impossible difficulty, I just improvise on that difficulty. Now, once you do the starting contract, click the exchange, but do not buy it sell anything, that is only for the purpose of keeping the prices records in your ship. Instead, head to Thulun Outpost and sell your luxury and buy water fuel, you will most likely get the best deals there (if not, it will either be Javat Prime or Steel Prima). Now, go to Javat Prime and buy as much Spice as you can. After, stock up on some water and go to Steel Prima. Spice is best sold there, if not, Thulun Prime or Thulun Outpost. Repeat this until you can accumulate around 20k. When you do, stock up on around 30 water and the rest with plants (may be cheapest in Thulun Prime). Set a course for Javat Mining and sell you plants there. Then, go to Thulun Mining. Then, buy all the metals (or chemicals if you prefer). However, the prices between these two planets can sometimes switch, making plants better to sell in Thulun Mining and metals and chemicals cheaper to buy in Javat Mining. Look at your prices for what you bought and sell it where you can get the best deal (most likely Steel Prima). After, repeat the same process and you will be a great merchant!

Trade Routes
*Javat Prime [Spice] - Steel Prima [Sell Spice] - Thulun Outpost [Water]
*Thulun Outpost [Water Fuel and Plants] - Javat Mining [Sell Plants] - Thulun Mining [Metals and Chemicals] - Steel Prima [Sell]
REMEMBER: The prices sometimes fluctuate from time to time, so you may sometimes need to change the order in which you use these trade routes. And remember to abandon your trade route if there is a nearby shortage or surplus. They are your bonuses!

So now you are ready to go out into space and become rich through the art trading! $$$

Note: Post if you feel something is wrong or you need some more explanation on how this guide works.

[fallen]

Great post, thanks for sharing! Trade routes are so valuable to a good merchant start! I've shared this out to our captains on the social stream.

[Cory Trese]

Pretty fun -- these are called the 'House Routes' by most Star Trader Captains who are friendly with the Clans.

Very dangerous to run for a wanted Syndicate smugger. Look for Spice shortages on nearby independent worlds.

[Electric]

Dec 8, 2013 17:07:46 GMT -5 Cory Trese said:

Pretty fun -- these are called the 'House Routes' by most Star Trader Captains who are friendly with the Clans.

Very dangerous to run for a wanted Syndicate smugger. Look for Spice shortages on nearby independent worlds.

Actually, another advantage of this is there are a couple of independent planets along the route that tend to have rumors. Very good if a captain wants to strike the motherload, especially with contraband. Recently scored around 100k (I can't remember exactly, but I do know I went from around 20k to 200k) selling weapons during a shortage in the independent planet south of Thulun Mining (can't remember the name). $$$

[Electric]

Note for everyone:

I plan on making a new guide for the trade route east of those planets listed above. I will call it "Advanced Merchant's Guide". Unfortunately, it will take me some time as I have not advanced long enough in the game to work out a trade route. This is due to me angering the factions with my trades during embargoes. What can I say? Die rich, eh? Cadar piece of alien s***... $$$

[Officer Genious]

Hahaha, that's the spirit! Unless someone's willing to pay for loyalty, don't give it (no credit and NO REFUNDS)! Exalt for sweet guide, will have to use this on my next merchant!