Post by Nahlia "Nah" Lifebloom on May 13, 2021 23:46:52 GMT
From the Desk of Lady Cellica Whitewind,
Merchants are the lifeblood of the Whitewind Company, and their responsibilities are as follows:
- Market Research
- Material Acquisition
- Craftsmanship (and Outsourcing)
- Product Peddling
- Profit
Market Research is exactly what it sounds like: locate items of reasonable value already on the market - or new items yet to appear on the market - and assess the value gained versus value lost for gathering, producing, and then selling these products to the market (aka the Auction House).
Material Acquisition is also rather straightforward: locate the raw materials necessary to produce whatever products are necessary for the market. This can include herbs, ores, and skinned leathers and bones, for example. It is preferred to not purchase raw materials from the market (Auction House) unless the profit margin is minimally affected by the purchase of such materials.
Craftsmanship (and Outsourcing) is where Merchants (in their skilled trades) actually craft the products necessary, either for the Company's benefit or to sell at market (Auction House). If a Merchant is not skilled in a particular trade and require items that a craftsman can craft, they are expected to Outsource only what is needed, either to another within the Company or to an outside craftsman.
Product Peddling is the heart and soul of a Merchant's job. Once a product is successfully crafted, that produce is to be sold on the market (Auction House) for a competitive price in so far as a profit can yet be made. And products made by a Merchant can also be peddled and haggled to the world outside (via Trade chat, for example), but it is not a necessary part of their job description.
Profit is described as the gain from a successful transaction between buyer and seller, usually gold coins (which the Company most definitely runs off of) but sometimes other items (a la a bartering system). The more gold and items the Company has available, the most resources and assets available to the rest of the Company's branches.
If you think that being a Merchant best fits you, consider the following desirable traits:
- Craftsmanship - being skilled in two trades best suited for gathering raw materials and/or crafting goods to sell at market.
- Knowing the Market - being a regular of the local Auction Houses who knows the value of products, and when something is more likely to sell than not.
- Well-traveled - being an individual ready - and willing - to travel the ends of Azeroth and beyond for what materials and goods they can reasonably acquire.
Of course, a Merchant's roles are subject to change depending on the market and environment. Being flexible and well-rounded is a key component of being a Whitewind Merchant.