Smuglers Blues

[jpo]

First of all, I don't like giving away 'secrets', but its not a live or die situation so I guess its OK. This is entirely my opinion and how I roleplay, and I am not telling anyone this is how they should play or react. Smuggling is the hot topic this weekend so I thought I would share...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAkq1OezI6g

1. Sometimes not saying a word is 100% in character. Always not saying a word shows lack of character. Try to find a balance.
2. Highest profit isn't always a realistic goal.
a. Carry dummies. Always carry one of each contraband and several mundane items. This confuses both real players and npc's. If they say 'drop the contraband' and you drop one slave they can't immediately shoot you until they clarify, which takes a few seconds. Use it. NPC's shouldnt be too much of a bother but sometimes they can turn the base you need red.
b. Manhattan isn't the only place that buys drugs. If you see 11 cap ships logged on in NY Manhattan is not the safest destination.
c. use an appropriate ship. If you want to powertrade, powertrade. losing 5000 units of contraband will get you kicked out of ANY gang. Yeah, lose 5000 tons of mexican mafia marijuana and see if you wake up the next day. You need a ship with countermeasures and that doesen't get hung on tradelanes. You're OORP IMO if you have either of those problems.
3. Theres more than one way to skin a cat. for example you can fly straight from rochester to the cali jump gate in a few minutes. theres many alternative routes in the game that will allow you a much better chance of survival that only take you a few minutes out of the way.
4. profit over time is more important than profit per run. 2 runs that net 5 million each in 17 minutes (total) are better than one 20 minute run that nets 9.5mil.
5. Plan ahead and use some imagination. Just saying "i don't have that" is the same as "stop or die". A good one is, "your scanner is malfunctioning, would you like me to buy you a new one?" "I have the receipt right here, this is pharmaceuticals, not cardamine."

On a side note, the Junkers probably dont want you smuggling 50,000 units of cardi daily under their IFF.

Like I said, just my opinion. A lot of people won't play like this because it cuts into profits. A lot of people already play similar to this already.