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What now? Small-time trader seeking advice
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Ilmengard
Center for Advanced Studies
Gallente Federation
#1 - 2012-01-24 08:37:01 UTC
Hello all,

I am a small-time trader that have mostly made a living out of hauling and trading. Typically I move goods from a trade hub to low-sec and sell them there, transporting the stuff in a Prowler. On the return I pick up goods from missioneers, which I sell in the trade hub.

This has served me fairly well over the months. The profit margins are quite good, and with a Blockade Runner it is very safe to move the goods to low sec. It also suits my casual gaming time.

I've reached a point now however where this model is not working too well. I do not manage to invest all my capital, and consequently I have close to 4 billion ISK just sitting around. The question is what would the next logical step be?
Zoloft Rx
Forged Prophets
#2 - 2012-01-24 09:19:43 UTC
i'd say, continue doing what you know that works. Except, have some other poor sap do the hauling.. pay him breadcrumbs. profit in all your time you will save. Or profit when he he gets ganked at a gatecamp.
Ruvin
Amarr Empire
#3 - 2012-01-24 09:23:29 UTC
invest them in loans ?
5% of 4 bil is 200 mil .
Find a bigger corp or ally needing a bigger supply of items ? and more expensive ones?
While hauling items and region trading do some stationary , i mean buy and resell same place ?
With the right item even with smaller margin such a capital can make still a profit imo .
Move on getting next ship duno like the JF ?
Invest in a different business .
(make alts pay for them with plex and youl get also youre free month so its 51 days for free , and train them , like perfectly into something which is demand , like tengu/logistic/hulk pilots and sell them , if done correctly there is a margin of profit with 0 risk)
Meanwhile can scout prices in different regions hubs , help you with JF trading .
p.s im a noob so those are just ideas , of course any critics from better players is of course accepted and rather welcome why something is stupid or a good idea .
Fly Safe

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
Onlyasandwich
NewsRadio
#4 - 2012-01-24 09:38:27 UTC
A relatively low-maintenance method of expansion would be to train up your contracting skills if you haven't already.

You can manage contract buys/sells wherever you are, thick margins are generally easier to come buy than regular market items, and the prices of said items are such that you can easily invest substantial sums.

You could make a hub trading alt.

You could attempt a more regional buy/sell in place strategy.

You could find an under-served lowsec area and seed a station.
Jarnis McPieksu
Aliastra
Gallente Federation
#5 - 2012-01-24 09:39:11 UTC
Continue until you have enough ISK (and have trained for) a JF and scale up your operations?
Ilmengard
Center for Advanced Studies
Gallente Federation
#6 - 2012-01-24 10:57:06 UTC
Thank you kindly for all the good advice! Food for thought.