Economy - Synthesis LinkshellFollow

I've been reading all over the forums complaints about not being able to find items they need. I understand the frustrations but I don't want to listen to whining anymore. I understand that my opinion is unpopular but we have an opportunity to make the economy the way we want it.

I'm trying to put together a linkshell of craftsmen who are interested in making some money. We only have a few more days until the release but if we can get a monopoly on hot items the masses will want we stand to make a pretty penny or two.

Crafting linkshells didn't work in FFXI and they might not work in FFXIV but I feel like if a group of entrepreneurs got together we might be able to guide the economy in our favor. Am I crazy? Will it work?

The answers are "definitely" and "I'm not sure". If what I'm saying strikes a chord then by all means look me up in Uldah on the Figaro server. If you want to see how my experiment is working follow my blog on the FFXIV players' website.

I just have a vision of a powerful, wealthy, influential merchant linkshell known all over Eorzea. It might take a few lunatics or visionaries to pull it off. The mission is to equip all of Eorzea with the finest threads available. I'll ask for your feedback on my lunacy and then do what I want anyway.

~Tarkain Malkieri

We had a great crafting LS on Slyph for quite a while. The trick was not only covering all the major recipes but also making sure that everyone had access to the appropriate mats. We also established a way to let the nonmembers know who had what, where and when. Finally, we established a minimum price for each item that we were willing to charge and bought out anyone who sold the higher level items for less.

Consider me in, and hopefully we can get it to work. I would suggest in focusing on a single instance of the market wards as a start. I'm gonna b-line for Armorer as soon as launch hits.

I'm still not sure how this will work. We may be able to do a website and database to help members track what we have and where certian items can be found. The website might also server to let people know where and when. My original thought was trying to grab a corner in the market wards and hang onto it. I will have to play around with it.

I haven't really spent any time in the market wards and don't know if that is even a viable option. I will be online trying to work thru it this afternoon.

I'm glad to hear that there is some interest and that a crafting linkshell managed to make it in FFXI. I think it will only suceed with the right support system.

Edit: You got my mind turning. It would be kind of cool if we could include a warranty with the items we sell. If they are signed by members of our linkshell 100gil flat fee repairs plus the cost of the item required to repair. Or maybe we could set flat fees for each tier of gear.

~Tarkain Malkieri
Dunesfolk Lalafell
Master of "Threads" Linkshell

Edited, Sep 27th 2010 7:21am by kainsilv

Yep we are still welcoming new members at this point.

I've been trying to figure out how to set up the linkshell and make it work.

I figure there are 4 major concerns that have to be addressed.
1. Retention
2. Sales
3. Provisioning
4. Competition

Retention is key if we want to remain a force in the markets. I want people to enjoy the linkshell, make friends and advance. In order to do that I feel like it has to be a relaxed supportive atmosphere which will help everyone make gil and feel like they are contributing to the linkshell.

Sales are tricky to control. I think we can help drive sales if we really establish a foothold in one of the market wards and develop a variety of there shops to fit the specific needs of a wide range of individuals and linkshells. Shouts to attract business and help people know where we are. One thought was to develop contracts of a sort with other linkshells to provide them with the items they require or the repairs they might need. Availability of the items people want is what utimately will determine if we can grow our business. I mentioned a warranty system in earlier posts but I don't even know if you can sign items in this game which is the only way I can think of to establish a warranty. A service contract with an adventuring linkshell for repairs is another way I thought we might generate revenues for the crafters.

Provisioning is probably a little more simple then driving sales. A crafting schedule identifying the items we need and weekly farming events is one way to help get the items people need for synthesis and for their bazaar. We will probably have to establish crafting tiers to help bridge gaps between lower level and higher level crafters and allow for us to provide items to each tier.

Competition will have to be monitored but I hope by employing an entire linkshell to create items our prices and profits will be unbeatable. I'll have to continue to evaluate and innovate in this area.

I'd welcome other thoughts or ideas. I'm just trying to push the envelope of the game a little bit. So I don't believe any ideas would be crazy at this point.

~Tarkain Malkieri

Intersted in a casual crafter LS, just to chat, make friends and help each others with hard to find mats from cross crafts.
I'm really not in the corner the market, monopoly thing to be honest, I know that by design it wont really work (or it will take so much time to setup that it won't be worth it).

I'm also playing on Japanese time mainly. Should I apply or this monopoly thing is the core of the LS, in which case I just won't fit :)

Kaika Eole in game, online from 7h30 or 8pm JST tonight (and a lot over the weekend ^^)

This is a great idea... one of the reasons it would not work so well is that there was an auction house in FFXI... wear as lack of one in FFXIV would make this LS amazingly useful.

Has this LS been created yet and if so What is the leaders name that we can get in touch with to have us invited to the Linkshell.

I would be interested in something like this, as would my fiance. Atm I'm a level 14 weaver, 10 leatherworker, 7 carpenter and 6 alchemist. My fiance has goldsmithing at armorer at 10 or 11 and blacksmith at 12 I believe.

My question is, what is the level of commitment you are looking for? Is there going to be a requirement for contributions? Would we be required to make something at a moments notice or have supplies always available? I'm just a tad unclear and would like some clarification before I jump in head first. You can answer me here, PM more or contact me in game if you like (or you could totally ignore me. .. but that wouldn't be very nice ^^)

-Lomelindi Ithildin (fiance is Crizum Ithildin)