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That is the basis of a simple trading system: Pilots purchase an item at one
station, transport it to another station where they expect the price is higher, and
hopefully sell for a profit. Such a concept should be familiar to anyone with
previous experience of 'Elite style' space simulation games.
Simple Trading Example
A relatively new Solrain Premia pilot has 7,000 credits available, and four cargo
spaces. They buy four units of Water from the Wake station market for about
1,550 credits each. They launch and fly to Outpost station. On docking they sell
the four units of Water to the station market for about 2,100 credits each. They
have made a total profit of 2,200 credits.
Most stations have two other markets: (1) A private hidden inventory, used by
the station to store certain commodities. (2) Inventory held by other pilots that
are docked - in their ships, on the station floor, or (in the case of storage
depots) in store. The private hidden inventory cannot be seen, nor can items be
purchased from it. Inventory held by other pilots cannot be seen, but can
normally be traded between consenting pilots.
4. Rank, Political Rating and Taxation
Every item has a minimum rank and political rating that must be met in order for
the item to be purchased by a pilot.
Rank is constant through the galaxy. Rank is gained by gaining experience.
Experience is gained by completing missions, killing conflux, collecting medals,
holding beacons, retrieving artifacts, and a few other things.
Political rating varies by faction. The rating used is that for the faction owning
the station where you are purchasing items. Political rating is not relevant at
neutral (unregulated) stations. Political rating is gained by completing missions
for a faction. Each successful mission adds 3 political rating for that faction,
regardless of the type or difficulty of the mission. Political rating over 100
decays by about one point per hour online. Unlawful hostile acts reduce political
rating dramatically, potentially to -100.
All commodities have a minimum of rank 0 and political rating 0. All new pilots
may purchase any commodity if they have the cash to do so. Equipment varies
greatly. Only half of all equipment can be purchased at 0 rank and political
rating, and that's mostly the worst stuff.
Items can always be sold, regardless of rank and political rating.
Know Your Political Rating and Tax Rate
Political rating can be seen on your JOSSH profile. In game, it can be seen
whilst docked at a station: Click the slider bar at the bottom of the screen.