Although it may not seem like it at first, the trading post is a fantastic way to make your millions on Neopets. An astonishingly large amount of people do not know how much the items that they are trading are worth, and you can usually get a great deal here. I’ve spent four years on Neopets, and, although I have been successful with restocking, I have earned the most neopoints by trading and selling for profit. What I am about to show you is a list of my most sought-after secrets to succeeding at the trading post.
Haggle, Haggle, Haggle
Neopian omelettes are common items in the trading post. Many people put out lots of ten omelettes and ask a high price. Here’s the secret: they’ll usually trade for much less, they’re just trying to find suckers who will pay the high price. If they ask for one hundred neopoints, offer them a cheap item and seventy nine neopoints. Always offer something ending with a nine, because it makes the trader think that it is a good offer. Never offer something with a zero, as this will produce the opposite effect: making the trader think that it’s a low offer. Find a list of five items or so that you’re looking for and find their average prices on the shop wiz. Next, go through the lots and make offers that will bring you in a profit. Whatever you do, try to never offer them as much as their asking, because it’s usually higher than the items are actually worth. They’re trying to make a profit too, remember?
Avoid “FREE! TAKE IT AWAY!” Lots
These lots are nothing but scams. Nothing in life is free, why would people be willing to give you free items? Even if the lot is nothing but junk, the scammers decline the offers. They then neomail the bidders and tell them that they got a higher offer and that you should offer more if you want this “fabulous” lot. Most newbies try this tactic so they can earn more neopoints without doing anything. If the items are somewhat rare and the lot still says it’s free, still don’t bid. Amateur scammers just neomail you for a higher offer, but it gets dangerous with the “professional” scammers. If you fall into the trap of making a high bid on their valuable lots, they will see what items you have and possibly try and hack into your account (I should know, someone hacked into my first account because of this reason). Never fall for the free lots.
Twenty Newest Lots
Finding lots this way is fun, but risky. You can get great deals, but you’re also risking bad deals. The twenty newest lots show up, and you must quickly scan the list. If you see something that looks good or the trader isn’t asking much, then go ahead and bid. They usually get offers pretty rapidly if the items are of good value, so you must be quick to bid. Finding lots this way can bring items to your attention that you have never heard of, but the items sound appealing. Especially if you’re going for your packrat avatar, you will want variety and seeing different lots can increase your knowledge of the various items in Neopia.
Buying the Unbuyable
Paintbrushes and rare items are considered “unbuyable” by the shop wizard. However, you can get them through the trading post. You usually have to trade a rare item and several neopoints, but some people request payment in pure neopoints only. The trading post is a fantastic way to get your “unbuyables” but proceed with caution; traders tend to inflate the prices here.
The “Paper Clip” Experiment
Ever since that guy got on the news for his paper clip experiment (that eventually got him a house) people in Neopian have been trying their hands at this interesting experiment. You could try it too. Start with something virtually worthless (pile of dung works great), and ask for something of higher value. This works great for some Neopians, while others get nowhere. I tried this myself (started with a bit of barbed wire) and eventually got a petpet paintbrush. I decided not to push my luck, so I stopped there and painted my poogle’s petpet the color of pirate. Some Neopians get annoyed with paper clip people, so remember not to beg (or they’ll report you).
The trading post is one of the best ways to make neopoints in Neopia; don’t miss this incredible opportunity!
