Market Discussions

Hi there,

I have a question about courier contracts. I recently lost several hundred million isk after accepting a courier contract only to be ganked in hi-sec space upon undocking to start the run. While the loss certainly hurts as a new character 450 mil is hard to come by ( without purchasing a plex ) I am determined to not let the loss completely shut me down. What are some tips you could offer for someone who is moving contracts to avoid a similair situation in the future?


Thanks,

Check the cargo value using http://evepraisal.com/ and make sure it's worth as much as the collateral. The shipper should not have an incentive for the contract to fail!

Create a contract ALT. The contractor and hauler should not be the same character.

Adjust the value you are willing to haul so you're not profitable to gank. In general a T1 industrial should never carry more than 100 million. A freighter or deep space transport can usually haul a billion safely.

Accept that you will experience some losses - provide for them in your business plan or work for a service (i.e. Red Frog) that provides insurance for ship+collateral.

Value your time. Red Frog charges 3.5 million pickup plus 1.5 million/jump and gets lots of business.

You do an item exchange contract from contractor to hauler and then from hauler back to contractor. 10K ISK brokerage each way. This doesn't work if the cargo is in a container - then you need to do a station trade. Honestly can't remember why it's over a year since I worked in that business.

Good riddance. Hope he'll be happy in his WoW.
Now a question for you, folks. Lord Ra, Do Little - how do you feel about helping new players after that?

I dont think you understand what I'm trying to do, do you?

Some dude biomasses himself over a couple of space pixels. Oh well, I couldnt care less about him, cause he's no longer a part of our community. But on his way out, he inflicts some damage - not much, but still. I know it's a little bit disheartening when you try to help and it turns out in vain - been there, did that. So I suggest folks to reflect on that subject. I did expect them to be mad about me. Them, Elizabeth. Instead, you jump in and steal their thunder. Good job.

Babe Ruth had a batting average of .342 - 2 misses for every hit. We remember the hits - they make it worthwhile.

Whatever character accepted the courier contract is the only character that can complete the contract.

However, it doesn't matter which character does the actual hauling. The package can be put in another courier contract.

Red Frog is filled with contract accepting alts. It is pointless to wardec them. The alts contract the packages to other characters (typically NPC corp haulers, but not always) that do the actual hauling. This can be an issue for haulers that get ganked, if they can't prove to Red Frog the contents were lost (for insurance purposes), i.e. if the package was "double-wrapped" to begin with.

I'm not an expert on this. I just know a Red Frog hauler.