In recent weeks and months Interspace Commerce has increased its activity in Bretonia significantly. In addition to participating in the SAGI our transports have been tirelessly hauling supplies in and out of Bretonia, even under the noses of the Gallics in the Taus. Since the end of the war with Kusari the market for Dublin gold there has skyrocketed, and with the help of your people Interspace Commerce has been taking advantage of that to put BMM miners to work and bring in needed credits that are then reinvested in Bretonia, as well as providing for much needed Helium fuel to be run back to Bretonia.
Up until this point we have been dealing with both independent miners and your people on a fairly equal bases. While we would like to give all our business to the BMM, the reality is that independents are offering gold ore for far less. Your prices still reflect the old days when gold fetched much higher prices for a shorter and safer trip to Liberty. Sadly this is no longer the case. Independent miners are offering as much as 20% reductions in price to get business. Therefore I propose a contract to where our people would always come to your official miners first for ore, and you offer us a reduced price. If you would be willing to stock ore for us on Kings Cross however, we would be willing to pay extra for the convenience. Let me know what you think, I shall be anxiously awaiting your reply.
Simon Poole
Director, Interspace Commerce Bretonia Division
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Mr Poole;
Let me first thank you for your laudable work and effort with Bretonia in these times. With that done, let us move on to the crux of our business.
It has been addressed previously that Bretonia Mining and Manufacturing had some concerns over the level of payment Interspace Commerce has been willing to offer to our miners. While independent miners are indeed working for far less, our prices remain true to the value of our product. Mr Poole, our prices are not reflective of days past at all, and in fact our prices are calculated based on the most recently available Sirius Standard Sales Price (SSSP) listings on the day of sale. Currently you are already receiving a discount at 45% percent of the SSSP.
Verily, a 20% drop in our current price would reduce our pay scalings to record lows. I might emphasise, Mr Poole that the nature of independent miners' prices are that of the poor and neglected themselves. In the face of large corporations or shipping companies pushing for lower and lower prices, independent miners cannot stand their ground and must surrender to below minimum wage pay should they maintain any business at all. Often the prices said miners offer are so little that they struggle to keep any quality of work or life, and they often are now financially disadvantaged to the extent of homelessness.
Supporting these practices by encouraging or pushing for unfair prices Mr Poole is unethical, to say the least. As a compromise, we are however willing to offer a price reduction to 43% of the SSSP. Furthermore, given that BMM formerly used the Libertonian locality's SSSP we will now adjust our prices to the Kusarian market given your company's trading there.
First off I would like to appologize for not replying to your initial message. Due to some sort of mail system glitch it never crossed my desk. Please understand that I was not asking you for a 20% price cut, I was just explaining the reality that our transport captains have seen. While your offer of 43% is nice, it is virtually the same as the 4007 credits per unit that we are currently paying. Considering the situation I would be much more comfortable paying 35% of the Kusari Market Price for the ore. Surely the dramatic increase in quantity will more then make up for the decrease in price.
Simon Poole
Director, Interspace Commerce Bretonia Division
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Mr Poole;
You seem to have entirely glazed over our concern regarding employee rights and benefit. You also misunderstand the nature of our business. Our product is of such a high price due to its demand and popularity, and furthermore its scarce supply. Surely you understand those terms.
Our ore does not increase in quantity with more transports hauling it, nor does its production. It simply creates more demand between our contractors. To that end, BMM is part of a long-term and very foundational partnership with Borderworld Exports under the Bretonian Crown and is indeed formally affiliated via the Crown Services enterprise. Borderworld Exports receives a discount to the effect of 40%, Mr Poole. Your company will not receive a better offer than what agreement we maintain with Bowex, I can promise you.
You might also want to reconsider your position - it is us that has the ore, and you who are trying to buy it from our company. To be put bluntly, you need us, not us, you. I suggest you reconsider the concern I mentioned over the bullying price haggling tactics employed by corporations on independents who can't stand their ground. We certainly can.
We await your reconsidered approach and subsequent counter-offer.
Let me explain something to you. While yes you do have Bowex moving your ore currently that's only to Liberty, and Rheinland which has signed an alliance with Gallia. Kusari bans Bowex ships, but Interspace Commerce still has strong ties there. They get gold from either the IMG, or from us. If you want to tap into that market for your gold ore, then Interspace is your best option. 40% is a fair rate I believe for both of us.
Simon Poole
Director, Interspace Commerce Bretonia Division
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Mr Poole;
You still seem to ignore the points raised regarding fair pay. It would almost seem intentionally negligent.
You also very skillfully failed to mention Kusari's agreements with Gallia, and indeed the IMG's agreements with the Gauls again.
While I would care to remind you that the market comes to us, your offer is being considered by the board.
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Mr Poole.
Given our above reasons and your failure to adequately address the problems that your demand would cause; your request, and I do stress that it is a request, not an offer - is denied.
Interspace Commerce may purchase our product at the discounted 45% price, or continue to endorse work practices resulting in the degredation of working conditions, endangerment of lives and worsening of quality of life of independent miners.
I suggest you check with your own people in the field, we are currently paying 4007 credits per unit according to your own corporate literature provided to your official miners which equates to just over 42%, whereas 45% of the market rate is 4275 credits per unit. In effect what you are suggesting is a price -increase-.
Simon Poole
Director, Interspace Commerce Bretonia Division
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Why yes, you're quite right. Thank you for pointing that out to me.
It seems we've failed to address the difference given you're trading in the Kusarian market and we previously calculated prices based on Bowex's own presence in the Liberty index.
As such we will rectify the prices immediately. You should note this is a price correction, not a rise, as you suggested. Good day.
If you're set on 45% as a price then let's start discussing bulk. I propose you contact us when a fresh load is delivered to Kings Cross, or fill an Interspace Barge, which can then either be moored and the ore transferred to our traders, or delivered to Kings Cross for you for a modest fee. The increase in efficiency would be well worth the increased price, something that independent miners most certainly do not have.
Simon Poole
Director, Interspace Commerce Bretonia Division