Got Bored of PP so started Smuggling.

[Marra Morgan]

Always wondered how smuggling works in this game. I thought black markets only give a % of the true value of the goods, at least that appears to be when you sell stuff to it you've salvaged from Signal Sources. How is it profitable to buy Slaves (any variant) or weapons/narcotics and then sell at a black market if the black market only gives you, let's say, 75% of the true value?

Only stolen goods are marked down like that - you're fencing stuff you've acquired illegally by one way or other - the fence takes a cut and you get 100% profit.

Goods bought legally from another jurisdiction are sold on black markets without a mark-down - they are subject to supply and demand just like any other good. Some Power factions have modifiers to the black-market prices - this is what a savvy smuggler exploits

 

[Stormvill]

Only stolen goods are marked down like that - you're fencing stuff you've acquired illegally by one way or other - the fence takes a cut and you get 100% profit.

Goods bought legally from another jurisdiction are sold on black markets without a mark-down - they are subject to supply and demand just like any other good. Some Power factions have modifiers to the black-market prices - this is what a savvy smuggler exploits

Thanks for the help. One other question then, what the best way to find a market for you illegal goods that you've bought legally elsewhere? I'm under the impression the value at destination markets is not shown in the commodity market? Is it just a case of take some there and see what you get or can you use the type of government/controlling faction as a hint also?

 

[Marra Morgan]

Thanks for the help. One other question then, what the best way to find a market for you illegal goods that you've bought legally elsewhere? I'm under the impression the value at destination markets is not shown in the commodity market? Is it just a case of take some there and see what you get or can you use the type of government/controlling faction as a hint also?

The black market is literally very shady - you can't know the prices of illegal goods until you've actually turned up with them ready to sell.
Have a notebook or spreadsheet to hand!
That means quite a bit of trial and error, but all that practice of taking illegal stuff in and out of ports will make you a better smuggler

The type of government and controlling major faction has a lot to do with what's illegal and the demand for a particular illegal good.

I like Independent Anarchy and Dictatorship systems with an industrial or high-tech economy. They supply drugs n' guns, my preferred choice of contraband.

Imperial systems are ok. You can buy cheap manpower from them.

I like the Federation too. The Federation likes banning things. I really like Federal systems under the influence of my Boss. They seem to like those guns and drugs I mentioned earlier

Have fun and remember - "It's just for personal use, officer!"

 

[adrinker]

I wonder if you guys knew the "type" of slaves you are actually smuggling, if you'd still do it.
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I don't smuggle slaves. I smuggle whatever pays the most.

But, it's definitely a little slower than RES sites for profiting.

 

[Stocker]

Thanks for the help. One other question then, what the best way to find a market for you illegal goods that you've bought legally elsewhere? I'm under the impression the value at destination markets is not shown in the commodity market? Is it just a case of take some there and see what you get or can you use the type of government/controlling faction as a hint also?

I was told that the Black Market is the same as the normal market list on the Systems map. The higher the item listed in the prohibited list the higher the demand. That was what I was told, but I use this website. you will find runs with multiple pickups and deliveries, that's how I find them.