The trading economy needs work.

[Hazmat]

I know the devs are working on putting essential items in shops. But the problem is deeper than that.

The current problem with trading is that too often something will be discounted, so you go to that store looking to pick some of it up. Then lo and behold, the discounted items will not be available. Instead there will be a glut of the current in demand item. Electronics is the worst for this.

That's not how demand works, if they simply fixed it so that the stores only had the discounted items in stock, it would give you an idea of what to expect when you try to purchase items from said system and simulate a slightly more realistic system.

Another problem is trying to be a blackmarket trader. You can buy some stardust and stims from the blackmarket dealer, but when you go to a system such as purity, you cannot sell it. In fact, trying to find a marked up system for narcotics and explosives seems to be an exercise in futility.

Systems such as purgatory and purity should have shops where you can sell these items for a decent markup. Too often you can only get a few hundred rendering the whole exercise practically pointless.

I understand the devs at the moment have a lot on their plate, but it would be great to see something like this in the future.

[Knottypine]

I haven't really done any trading. Only one time because I saw I could make just over 1000 space bucks on three items by selling them in another system a couple jumps away. I only did it because I intended to go to the mission board and take a job to the same place. Otherwise, only trading isn't really that profitable considering fuel usage, and wear and tear on your consumables and truck. Unless you have stockpiled on trade goods to make a trip worth it.

[Hazmat]

Originally posted by Knottypine:

I haven't really done any trading. Only one time because I saw I could make just over 1000 space bucks on three items by selling them in another system a couple jumps away. I only did it because I intended to go to the mission board and take a job to the same place. Otherwise, only trading isn't really that profitable considering fuel usage, and wear and tear on your consumables and truck. Unless you have stockpiled on trade goods to make a trip worth it.

When you can get a 50% markup on a 5k micro stabiliser, it becomes worth it.

[Knottypine]

Originally posted by Hazmat:

When you can get a 50% markup on a 5k micro stabiliser, it becomes worth it.

I was tempted to buy some of those one time, but couldn't see an optimal place to unload them. Part of the issue is the map only lists a few category price fluctuations in each location and that one wasn't listed in other places. That particular example would be worth it of course. Also, I'm quite early game and haven't unlocked any other areas yet.

[Hazmat]

Originally posted by Knottypine:

I was tempted to buy some of those one time, but couldn't see an optimal place to unload them. Part of the issue is the map only lists a few category price fluctuations in each location and that one wasn't listed in other places. That particular example would be worth it of course. Also, I'm quite early game and haven't unlocked any other areas yet.

When you unlock the mining colonies through Moon Baby, they become a great place to sell electronics.

In my experience, textiles, electronics, and air filters are where the money is. You can go deep into debt buying essentials (air filters, batteries, pods) then you have three days to find a place to sell them off to get back out before game over.

[Mr.Lux]

I did not play with black market yet but I totally agree with your first point. I am having this issue right now.

Pharmaceuticals are discounted in Atlas Prime currently. I go there, tried all the stations, there is not a single pharmaceuticals item for sale.

This really makes trading completely useless at the moment.

I really hope the devs fix this quickly.