25 Feb 2001
Overview

I've been playing UO for about two and a half years now, spending most of my in-game time collecting or producing goods.  The economics of the game fascinate me.  As an active trader, I've found uo-auction.com an invaluable tool for selling off my produce.  However, I've often wished for a quicker, easier way to sell my goods.  As a customer, I've often wished for a quicker, easier way to buy certain goods.

Auctions are very good... but do have a number of problems associated with them.  When bidding, what if you can't be online when the auction concludes?  What if you need the item right away?  When selling, you've got no guarantee as to the final price you may receive.  Once the auction has finished, you have to arrange contact with the other party, and sort out a mutually convenient time for conclusion of the deal.  I've known deals that have taken weeks to be completed.  Quite a lot of work is required to sell goods through auctions.

So, what is the alternative?

I'm proposing an online database of goods available for sale.  And when I say available, I mean IMMEDIATELY!  Follow this step by step example:


-1-  SELLER SETS UP THEIR ACCOUNT

User specific details can include acceptable facets (where seller is prepared to trade), preferred delivery points, languages spoken etc.  Personal info and contact details can be added.

-2-  SELLER HAS AN ITEM FOR SALE

Seller goes to their own personal options page, selects the goods for sale, enters quantity and the price required.  This is facilitated via drop down lists and check boxes.  

Every possible permuation of uo product (weapons, goods, rares etc.)  will be listed.  This has three distinct benefits...  (1) Quick and easy entry of available goods.  (2)  No more misspelt entries (I hate shopping for regaents, scrolls of deemon summining, or weapons of vanqwishing)!  (3) Design advantages within the database for more powerful search facilities.

-3-  SELLER OPENS SHOP

In the middle of a heated battle in some far away dungeon, seller doesn't want to be disturbed by a casual customer.  To make himself available for selling, at times when it is convenient, seller turns on his 'online' option.  This option can be turned on or off at any time.

-4-  BUYER SEEKS ITEM

Buyer goes to the search facility of their shard and searches for the item/product they require.  Again, the use of drop down lists and check boxes allows buyer to quickly select only the goods they want.  Buyer can also specify additional search filters such as facet for trade, language spoken etc. 

-5-  PRODUCT LIST PROVIDED

The uobuy database will return a full list of suitable product matches.  It will also indicate whether the seller is currently available or not available, thereby allowing buyer to find a seller immediately.  The deal can then be concluded in minutes.

-6-  A SUCCESSFUL DEAL!

That was quick, thinks buyer as he walks away with his brand new silver katana of vanquishing!  Seller has got one more job to do though.  Seller heads back to his options page, and deletes that silver katana from his 'stock list', thereby preventing two dozen other icqs asking to buy that item!!


That's it!!  Simple, quick, convenient.  At least I think so!  What do you think?  Please use the message board for your input!