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Top:[[Star Frontiersman]] main page
| Up: [[Star Frontiersman Issue 6]] main index
| Up: [[New Rules]] main index
----
</div>
by [[C. J. Williams]]
[[File:Merchant.png|right]]

The frontier is wide open and is not governed by galaxywide
standards. Different worlds trade in different ways.
Some provide a set price, while others haggle. Some
worlds leave it to individual territories or even each
establishment to determine how trade is carried out. Many
bazaars exist throughout the frontier. Often characters will
get shaken down by a vendor if they’re not careful. The
art of haggling is thus very important.

Also of importance is item quality. Items aren’t always
perfect. There are many manufacturers with many
products of varying degrees of quality and cost.
There are many other factors that can lead to the
adjustment of cost. Introducing this type of commerce
into your campaign can add a flavor of being in a
struggling society out on a wide frontier.

==Haggling==
{| style="width:200px;" align="right"
|+ '''HAGGLING TABLE'''
|- style="color: white; background: navy; font-weight:bold;" align="center"
|Difference||Cost Modifier
|- align="center"
|1-5|| --
|- style="background: #eeeeee;" align="center"
|6-10|| +/- 5%
|- align="center"
|11-20|| +/- 10%
|- style="background: #eeeeee;" align="center"
|21-30|| +/- 15%
|- align="center"
|31-40|| +/- 20%
|- style="background: #eeeeee;" align="center"
|41-50|| +/- 25%
|- align="center"
|51-60|| +/- 30%
|- style="background: #eeeeee;" align="center"
|61-70|| +/- 35%
|- align="center"
|71-80|| +/- 40%
|- style="background: #eeeeee;" align="center"
|81-90|| +/- 45%
|- align="center"
|91-00|| +/- 50%
|- style="background: #eeeeee;" align="center"
|
|}

Intelligence and a strong presence affect haggling skills
greatly. Everyone has to barter at some point or other, so
everyone is experienced with it, but not everyone haggles
effectively.

To determine haggling score,
add your character’s INT and
PER and then divide by 2.
Modify the cost of the item in
question by looking up the
difference between your
character’s haggling score and
the NPC’s haggling score in the
following table. If you prefer to
roll for success, add the
difference to your total if
above the NPC, or subtract the
difference from your total if
below the NPC, and roll 1d100.
You pay the cost of the item based on the difference
between your score and the roll.

To simplify things further, you can simply take a list of
items needing to be purchased and roll against your score
to determine the cost of items purchased.

Your Referee may still require you to roleplay the sale
after determining the difference through basic comparison
of your score against the NPC’s score. In such cases, you
will want to make a good show of haggling or your
Referee may choose to adjust the cost.

Note that new vehicles and engines cannot be haggled
below 15% off unless they are used or are acquired
through the underground market.

==Taxation==
It is said that there are only two things in life that are
certain: death and taxes. In the seeming need to avoid
the issue of taxes, most role-playing games, Star
Frontiers being no exception, leave taxes out of the
system entirely. This is certainly understandable, as this
can complicate even the simplest games. I certainly
wouldn’t want to break this tradition in the Star Frontiers
game. Let’s just say that the taxes are in at least some of
the prices we are paying and that the corporations pay
other living taxes for their employees.

==Quality (Value)==
All things made have varying levels of quality from very
poor to extremely high, and this is demonstrated through
design, workmanship, and quality of materials.

When a pre-owned item is purchased, roll on the following
chart to determine its quality. If the quality is already
known, and is to be purchased, multiply the list price by
the percentage provided and add or subtract that number
from the normal listed price.
{| style="width:350px;"
|+ '''QUALITY TABLE'''
|- style="color: white; background: navy; font-weight:bold;" align="center"
|Roll||align="left"| Quality|| Item Level* || Bonus/Penalty
|- align="center"
|00-04||align="left"| High Quality|| 6|| +20%
|- style="background: #eeeeee;" align="center"
|05-19||align="left"| Very Good|| 5|| +10%
|- align="center"
|20-29||align="left"| Good|| 4|| +5%
|- style="background: #eeeeee;" align="center"
|30-39||align="left"| Average|| 3|| 0
|- align="center"
|40-69||align="left"| Poor|| 2|| -5%
|- style="background: #eeeeee;" align="center"
|70-86||align="left"| Very Poor|| 1|| -10%
|- align="center"
|85-96||align="left"| Disposable|| 0|| -20%
|- style="background: #eeeeee;" align="center"
|97-99||align="left"| Worthless|| --|| --
|}

Experimental items move up this list with each stage,
starting with Disposable.

To move an item up the list that was acquired from a junk
dealer (See Junk Dealers below), a person with the
appropriate repair skill can repair an item of equal or
lower level by taking 1 day for each difference in level of
the item minus 1 for each level of the repair skill used
times the number of steps moved up in quality. You
cannot move an item further up in quality than its original
quality level.

Bonuses and penalties also apply to all rolls made with the
item. Add the number to the percentage chance.
Additionally, the percentage is added to or subtracted
from 100 each time the item is used or when determining
structural failure according to the damaged item rules in
the Alpha Dawn Expanded Rulebook.

==Aging Items==
{| style="width:200px;" align="right"
|+ '''AGE TABLE'''
|- style="color: white; background: navy; font-weight:bold;"
|Roll|| Age
|-
|98-00|| New
|- style="background: #eeeeee;"
|93-97|| .5 yrs
|-
|85-92|| 1 yr
|- style="background: #eeeeee;"
|78-85|| 1.5 yrs
|-
|70-78|| 2 yrs
|- style="background: #eeeeee;"
|61-69|| 2.5 yrs
|-
|51-60|| 3 yrs
|- style="background: #eeeeee;"
|41-50|| 3.5 yrs
|-
|32-40|| 4 yrs
|- style="background: #eeeeee;"
|24-31|| 4.5 yrs
|-
|16-23|| 5 yrs
|- style="background: #eeeeee;"
|11-15|| 5.5 yrs
|-
|01-10|| 6+ yrs
|}

The age of an item will affect its
quality. Every item moves down in
quality 1 step for each PanGal year
up to 3 years after its creation, and
then 1 step for every .5 PanGal
years. An item may be repaired, but
still must follow age progression. If
repaired after the first 3 PanGal
years, the quality still continues to
drop every .5 PanGal years.

''Example: An item repaired in its second year takes 2 steps down in quality over the next 2 years, and then a step for each .5 PanGal years afterward.''

To randomly determine the age of a salvagable found
item, use the Age Table.

==Quantity (Volume)==
The amount of supplies you purchase can decrease
expenses for you.

{| style="width:300px;"
|+ '''QUANTITY TABLE'''
|- style="color: white; background: navy; font-weight:bold;" align="center"
|align="left"|Item*|| Qty|| reduced**
|- align="center"
|align="left"|Staples|| 20 lbs.|| %5
|- style="background: #eeeeee;" align="center"
|align="left"|Technology|| 20 ct.|| %10
|- align="center"
|align="left"|Chemicals|| 20 gal|| %5
|- style="background: #eeeeee;" align="center"
|align="left"|Fuels|| 100 gal or 100 ct|| %5
|-
|colspan="3"|* Each product only. For instance, not just all fruit, but bananas only.
|-
|colspan="3"|** Add a zero to the Qty to reduce the cost even further by the stated percent.
|}

Under special circumstances, such as seeking to get rid of
stock, a merchant may reduce his costs to be lower than
the cost reductions in the table above.

==Availability==
{| style="width:300px;" align="right"
|+ '''Title'''
|- style="color: white; background: navy; font-weight:bold;" align="center"
|align="left"|Circumstance||General Adjustment
|- align="center"
|align="left"|Imported|| Up to +20%
|- style="background: #eeeeee;" align="center"
|align="left"|Contraband|| Up to +50%
|- align="center"
|align="left"|Questionable Acquisition|| -50%
|- style="background: #eeeeee;" align="center"
|align="left"|Rare|| Up to +30%
|- align="center"
|align="left"|Special Order|| At cost
|- style="background: #eeeeee;" align="center"
|align="left"|Direct|| Up to -30%
|}

Different products are
more readily available in
some places than in
others. The price of an
item may be adjusted by
the Referee based on its
availability to the region,
legality, rarity, or special
order. This is the Referee’s
discretion based on the region and item.

'''Region.''' The region can affect the product’s availability
through distance and legality. A region may be a whole
section of space, a solar system, or just a single planet.

'''Legality.''' When an item can be obtained, but is illegal for
public consumption, this can affect the cost substantially.
If legally obtained from another source and in good
demand, but illegal for general sale, known as
contraband, the item may be marked up considerably and
haggling is usually almost non-existent. If acquired
through some question of legality, such as stolen, it is in
need of being moved quickly, so the item may already be
reduced in cost and may be easily haggled down further.

'''Rarity.''' Some items are exceptionally rare no matter
where you buy them. These items are usually in very high
demand, driving their cost up substantially. If you’re after
a rare item, expect to pay a hefty sum.

'''Special Order.''' These are items that the merchant
doesn’t normally sell or they are currently out of stock on.
You are generally only allowed to pay the full cost of the
item without haggling. If the item was on sale, you may
order it at the sale price only if you pay in advance.

'''Direct.''' Sometimes you can purchase items directly from
the manufacturer if you buy on the planet of the
manufacturer. This can afford you some significant cost
reductions up to 30% off the listed price for new items.

==Services==
Common services such as engine repairs, overhauling,
weapon repairs are all subject to differences in cost in
similar ways to products so may use many of the same
tables from this article, but are usually not able to be
haggled, unless dealing with individual contract
workers.

==Underground Market==
The closer you get to the rim worlds and further away
from Pan-Gal, the more expensive items and fuel are.
This is because of both traveling distances and piracy.
Because of this, the most expedient and least
expensive purchases are going to be those found on
the black market.

===Smuggling===
Smuggling is a lucrative business in the frontier. With
so many trying to avoid detection or the transfer of
questionable or much needed materials for starving
colonies, smuggling is the cogs that keep the Frontier
moving. For this reason, it is tentatively tolerated by
the authorities.

Smuggling is a great way to make money and is also a
great way to acquire anything you need. For the right
price, a smuggler is often willing to transport any
goods you ask them to.

Generally, the cost for smuggling items will be around
1/3 the actual cost of the items. Use the haggling chart
above to adjust the cost

===Slavery===
Slavery is a condemned practice in the UPF, but may
be found on certain rim worlds, especially among
certain rim races. Star Law does not enforce antislavery
laws on the rim worlds unless the physical
health of the slaves are being endangered, and when
certain people of at least moderate importance are
forced into slavery.

Slavery is also looked down upon because of the
availability of robots. If you wish to buy a slave for
whatever reason, it will cost you around 20,000 Cr.
The tables in this article may also apply to slave
purchases. There are 3 types of slaves: those who are
force into slavery, those who are paying off a debt, and
those who volunteer themselves to slavery in exchange
for food and lodging. Those forced into slavery are
considered to be under Questionable Acquisition in the
Availability Table.

===Junk Dealers===
Salvage is a booming business, making junk dealers
extremely common and a good alternative to the
underground market or paying the full price for new
items. However, without someone to repair or
reconstruct the item, there are going to be quality
issues affecting the item. Roll twice on the Quality
Table. Whichever roll is higher is the unchangeable
original market condition of the item. The lower roll is
the current condition of the item.

==Local Bargaining Customs==
Different worlds and different species have varying
customs for trade. It’s important that your character
be familiar with the local customs or he/she could
inadvertently end up offending someone and even
getting him or her self run out of town if not shot.

===Core Worlds===
Customs on the core worlds are fairly amalgamated,
but there are still certain differences that are good to
know.

'''Dramune.''' Cut to the chase. Dramune is a world with a
dark past and secretive tendencies. They don’t like to
pussyfoot around. They want to know why you’re there
and what your offer is.

'''Pan-Gal.''' Small talk before the sale. In contrast to
Dramune, Pan-Gal is the heart of the UPF and Star
Law. Everything is either by the book, or needs careful
discussion to get hints for, so it is just a matter of
course that every merchant is going to talk you to
death, even if only to live through the excitement of
the stories you have to tell. So be patient and guide
the conversation toward the end of the sale. It won’t
offend them. They’re used to it.

'''Zebulon.''' Act like each and every offer of the other
person is outrageous. The seller glorifies its good
points while the buyer deflects with equally
exaggerated bad points to express why a certain cost
should be retained or lowered.

===Outer Reaches===
The worlds of the more isolated outer reaches are
more diverse and dangerous. The more your character
knows about the local customs, the safer your
character will be.

'''Capella.''' Continually shake hands during negotiation.
Start with offering outrageous sum for the item, then
seller obligatorily rejects the sum as too much, then
the seller gives a more realistic sum that you may now
haggle on.

'''Hades.''' Handshake under cloth using fingers to
negotiate cost while conducting small talk. -10
haggling modifier to characters not from Hades.
Attempts to negotiate any other way, or breaking off
the negotiations can lead to deadly conflicts.

'''Hents.''' Obligatory gift exchange and constant
blessings between offers. Yazirians are a religious and
oft times superstitious lot, so blessings help put them
at ease. In fact, it is considered an insult if you don’t
offer a blessing upon meeting with any Yazirian on a
Yazirian world. Strangers and outsiders are not trusted
to begin with, but not providing blessings can make
one an absolute outcast.

'''K’tsa Kar.''' Squat (or sit in a chair) and show
disinterest (minimal eye contact). Vrusk are very
intelligent and find haggling to be very mundane, so
their haggling practices are going to reflect their
attitude toward it.

'''Theseus.''' Unbroken eye contact while performing the
negotiation forming each offer as a demand (You may
blink). Theseans want to be trusting, but they’ve
received many bad deals in the rim, so they want to
look you in the eye and know if you’re telling the truth
or not. Theseans receive +5 to perception checks to
detect deception during transactions.

==Acquire New Adventures==
Buying and selling can lead to adventure in many
ways, including sales gone bad to accidentally
acquiring a private project that got tossed out and now
a crime lord is after it. Whatever the case, adventure is
one sale away.

Buying and Selling in the Frontier - Revision history

Terl obar: Created page with ' Top:Star Frontiersman main page | Up: Star Frontiersman Issue 6 main index | Up: New Rules m…'

Terl obar: Created page with '
Top:Star Frontiersman main page | Up: Star Frontiersman Issue 6 main index | Up: New Rules m…'