Discussion: Selling Stuff to PCs
JoeNotCharles
First Post
I believe the rule is 1/5 of the listed value (same as you get from disenchanting an item).
I don't really like the idea of selling an item to another PC for only 1/5 the listed value and here's why:
PC 1 has been here for a few years and has racked up a bunch of gear he/she doesn't want to use anymore. Then PC 1 sells his gear for 1/5th the price to PC 2, a new PC. PC 1 now has gotten exactly what he'd expect to get, as if he'd sold it to an NPC, however, PC 2 has now gotten a bunch of gear for a SIGNIFICANT discount, which could very easily put him/her above the power curve for his level as compared to other PCs of his/her level that did not have the chance to purchase these items from another PC. Now when PC 2 levels up and wants to get rid of his gear, he sells if for 1/5th the base value, which means he gets back exactly what he paid for it. That's like an unfair rental of gear if you ask me.
PC 1 has been here for a few years and has racked up a bunch of gear he/she doesn't want to use anymore. Then PC 1 sells his gear for 1/5th the price to PC 2, a new PC. PC 1 now has gotten exactly what he'd expect to get, as if he'd sold it to an NPC, however, PC 2 has now gotten a bunch of gear for a SIGNIFICANT discount, which could very easily put him/her above the power curve for his level as compared to other PCs of his/her level that did not have the chance to purchase these items from another PC. Now when PC 2 levels up and wants to get rid of his gear, he sells if for 1/5th the base value, which means he gets back exactly what he paid for it. That's like an unfair rental of gear if you ask me.
ScorpiusRisk
First Post
Is this actually a rule? I don't see it, though I know sometimes it's hard to find what you're looking for.
Ozymandias79
First Post
I second Kalidrev's opinion but also think selling an used for full prize is a no-no so how about selling a used item for half prize instead one-fifth of its worth
renau1g
First Post
I feel that it should be via the PHB rules as then it will create a new economy and breed issues See below for example (V.V. I'll use your wizard as an example)
So VV's wizard has robe of contingency +1 he'd like to sell.
Player A & B want it as the item represents a 75% savings (or even 50%) over what they'd pay for it. If A gets it B's upset, or vice versa, as now they have to buy it at full face value and are out x gold pieces over A.
Also if 50% is the new sale price, gives more back to initial player, thereby messing with the economy of the game. Also, judging will be much more difficult as you have to now set up a whole magic item marketplace, tracking who has what, who sold it to whom, etc, etc.
From a conceptual POV I like the idea because it makes it more like a Living setting, but at the same time I can't find that benefit to be more than the others I listed above.
So VV's wizard has robe of contingency +1 he'd like to sell.
Player A & B want it as the item represents a 75% savings (or even 50%) over what they'd pay for it. If A gets it B's upset, or vice versa, as now they have to buy it at full face value and are out x gold pieces over A.
Also if 50% is the new sale price, gives more back to initial player, thereby messing with the economy of the game. Also, judging will be much more difficult as you have to now set up a whole magic item marketplace, tracking who has what, who sold it to whom, etc, etc.
From a conceptual POV I like the idea because it makes it more like a Living setting, but at the same time I can't find that benefit to be more than the others I listed above.
Ozy,
Are you saying for PC 1 to sell to PC 2 for 1/2 price, then PC 2 sells it to NPC for 1/5th? What happens if PC 2 then sells it to PC 3? Does he then sell it for 1/5th price, or 1/2 price? Either way, we're running into the same situation, as either PC 2 will get what he paid for the item (and quite a bit more than he would be getting for selling it to an NPC), or PC 3 ends up getting the item for a bargain.
EDIT: Exactly as R1 said. It would throw the game's economy way off, and I don't think we want to have to keep track of this. It's not realistic for one character to sell it for 1/5th the items price and the receiving character to buy it for full price (where does the rest of the $ go?), but it would be the only way for things to keep the economy as is.
Are you saying for PC 1 to sell to PC 2 for 1/2 price, then PC 2 sells it to NPC for 1/5th? What happens if PC 2 then sells it to PC 3? Does he then sell it for 1/5th price, or 1/2 price? Either way, we're running into the same situation, as either PC 2 will get what he paid for the item (and quite a bit more than he would be getting for selling it to an NPC), or PC 3 ends up getting the item for a bargain.
EDIT: Exactly as R1 said. It would throw the game's economy way off, and I don't think we want to have to keep track of this. It's not realistic for one character to sell it for 1/5th the items price and the receiving character to buy it for full price (where does the rest of the $ go?), but it would be the only way for things to keep the economy as is.
ScorpiusRisk
First Post
This is probably going to start happening soon, as the level gap really starts to widen. The safest thing to do would be to disallow it, but that seems 1. unfun, and 2. kind of against the living world mentality.
I think some limits make sense, like what Ozymandias79 is suggesting. However, I'm also a little worried about over policing as well.
For example, if we said that whenever you sold something to another player it HAD to be at 50% value, then what about in adventures where it should be relatively common to swap/trade/redistribute gear when treasure is found?
Would it become illegal for my character to simply give you something she has?
This may need some proper thought.
I think some limits make sense, like what Ozymandias79 is suggesting. However, I'm also a little worried about over policing as well.
For example, if we said that whenever you sold something to another player it HAD to be at 50% value, then what about in adventures where it should be relatively common to swap/trade/redistribute gear when treasure is found?
Would it become illegal for my character to simply give you something she has?
This may need some proper thought.
OnlytheStrong
Explorer
Why not just sell it to an NPC for the 1/5th? The item is effectively gone and he still gets the gold from selling it... Or is the whole goal here to sell it to a PC?
Ozymandias79
First Post
I meant 50% of their worth(so if it worth 680 gp then 340 gp is what you get when selling it to other players no matter how many times it sold further) if you sell it to other PCs and 1/5th if you sell it to NPCs
Or we can have NPC vendors buys for 1/5th and sells it back to PCs for full price
Or we can have NPC vendors buys for 1/5th and sells it back to PCs for full price
