Newcomer / Intro Trading - help a newbie out :)

bigshep · Jan 17, 2015

Pen and paper and some highlighter are your friend!

Malak'kai · Jan 17, 2015

Midgetalien said:
Hello everyone,

I got this game a couple of days ago and aside from a difficult install everything is looking good!

I am currently doing trades from one station to another in the Everate (spelling?) system. I have took some trade jobs from the board which have took me to a few other systems and I always take a good look at their goods but they all seem the same :/

I am making some small profits in my sidewinder in Everate but I feel this could become a comfort zone. I am looking for more of a challenge so I went a couple of systems out than normal but still not seeing anything good for trade.

Also is it worth ditching the scanner and shields for more cargo space?

I considered mining once and that requires a cargo scanner and refinery. I backed out as I didnt know what to chuck :|

-MA-

P.S Thanks for any help/advice in advance

P.P.S if other newbies wish to converse tactics/profits/set ups/game talk and share their adventures as they learn I will be more than happy to add a few to my friends list in game! I am from the UK so UK night times is when I am on (usually after 7pm - till whenever I get tired lol.)

Every piece of advice given so far is fantastic, so I will just add this. I use Thrudds trading calculator as it literally will give you the most advantageous trades for the amount of cargo space and cred you have (or willing to use as I never disclose how much I actually have lol). So far trading has been a breeze...until you run into systems that aren't loved into the system. Then it becomes a fun exercise in bookkeeping lol.

yuizling1974 · Jan 17, 2015

bigshep said:
Pen and paper and some highlighter are your friend!

^^ this.

start write down those prices, and after a while you'll see where you can earn credits faster

Razorwire · Jan 17, 2015

Malak'kai said:
... I use Thrudds trading calculator as it literally will give you the most advantageous trades for the amount of cargo space and cred you have...

Trouble with the trade tools is that they popularise good routes, which then tanks the profits. I had a pretty sweet run worked out, and as soon as the trade tools users found it, it got tapped out in about three days. Literally knocked 500cr/ton off the profits.

Same goes for routes shared on forums, which is why I'll advise and give general pointers, but I'll never say "go there, do this", and I won't use the third party trading tools.

I keep a white board next to my monitor.

Haileene · Jan 17, 2015

Razorwire said:
Trouble with the trade tools is that they popularise good routes, which then tanks the profits. I had a pretty sweet run worked out, and as soon as the trade tools users found it, it got tapped out in about three days. Literally knocked 500cr/ton off the profits.

Same goes for routes shared on forums, which is why I'll advise and give general pointers, but I'll never say "go there, do this", and I won't use the third party trading tools.

I keep a white board next to my monitor.

+1 With all recommends on pen&papers except that we are in.... 2015 and we use a.... PC lol so that's why I came up with Cmdrs'log
As it works out pretty much like a pen&papers, but what it does more, it helps you find routes and commodities when / if needed...

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=96350&highlight=

so again just peek a look into that wonderful tool

Fly safe

geordie phil · Jan 17, 2015

THANKS

The advice was very helpful.

Tiptoe · Jan 17, 2015

Some fabulous advice in this thread.
Just wanted to say thank for all of you experienced flyers for taking the time to help us new players out.
I'll be sure to do the same once I've accrued any knowledge worthy of passing on! lol
I know trading isn't the most exciting profession most people want from ED, but it's certainly the way I want to go.
So highfives all round!

Midgetalien · Jan 17, 2015

Tiptoe said:
Some fabulous advice in this thread.
Just wanted to say thank for all of you experienced flyers for taking the time to help us new players out.
I'll be sure to do the same once I've accrued any knowledge worthy of passing on! lol
I know trading isn't the most exciting profession most people want from ED, but it's certainly the way I want to go.
So highfives all round!

couldn't agree more. I am surprised and humbled by the help and advice given here so freely and quickly. What an awesome community.

I look forward to seeing you all in game. Unless I get a bounty. Then I shall be running away.

-MA-

Midgetalien · Jan 21, 2015

been having a great time in Elite now into my second week. Thanks to your tips here and the help of another player I am doing well.

I am still holding out the branch that if any other newbies out there want to join me in game as we learn the ropes they are more than welcome! just drop me a PM

Starnr · Jan 21, 2015

I started by exploring and trading along the way, i never back tracked until i had enough money to buy some serious cargo space. I did all the take missions along the way and sold system data as i whent. Now I am a long way from where i started and i found a milk run. Total turn around time when i am in hurry is 8 minutes for 70,000.00 and I travel 5.95 LS both ways, and 27ls in system on one end and 256lson the other, hardly cost me anything for fuel. So go find yourself a milk run and then once you have enough cash or ship find yourself a home and get into politics

Influence and bounties.