Curse

Kazumi7677 · Jul 30, 2005, 03:12 PM // 15:12

Nothing makes me angrier than being jilted on payment during runs. Hello, my name is Pineapple Delight, and I am a runner.

I'm sure others may have posted things like this, but right about now I'm mad enough not to care. I have to rant somewhere and this looks like the place for it.

I've been running people to outposts and missions for payment ever since I beat the game with my Warrior/Monk. It never surprises me that one out of every nine or so people I take places, will get there and quit the game/jump districts so he/she doesn't have to get caught by my trade window. But it seriously pisses me off when a person who has "beaten the game X amount of times already as previous characters" tries using that as an argument not to pay.

Likewise, "Well, my character was still going when you made it and probably would have made it without you" is an equally angering excuse. If you had thought you would have made it, then you should have done it without me. The point is you hired me to do the job, and I would very much like to get paid.

"Well Pine, why don't you request payment up front or halfway through?"

This is why I suggested in an earlier post that the game needs a promissary note system. Most people I try to run won't go if I say pay up front. And I think charging halfway through is a bit detrimental as well, since even with the most experienced runner, there's still no guarantee you'll make it (server might have problems, your computer/internet connection might lose power suddenly). And there's always the non-runners who give runners a bad name by going half the distance, collecting and disappearing.

Well, I feel much better now.

Honest Runners of Tyria, Unite!

Kago Seirei · Jul 30, 2005, 03:18 PM // 15:18

Pineapple Delight, you have to realize that this game sorta mocks our own society in the fact that the honor system isn't always the best way to go. Corruption and greed always leads a man to do acts which is unfair and distrustful. To me, a somewhat experienced player, I don't really care if someone requests a half way point payment, and a final destination payment. Though, I have yet to be scammed, I don't feel that 3k is much to lose considering the fact that I currently am working on Fissure armor and considering the fact that Ectos are so far up in the sky, I'll probably never reach my goal. Anyway, why don't you try some farming? You know, being a warrior, you don't HAVE to run, you can probably make the same kinda money in the same amount of time, like what, 15k in 20 minutes? Its possible.

Tactical-Dillusions · Jul 30, 2005, 03:19 PM // 15:19

Not much that can be done against these people. Just the satisfaction in knowing that they must be a friendless moron in reality too.

That promisery note is a good idea...the next time that player collects gold...it is transferred to your account instead. Cool!!

gendred · Jul 30, 2005, 03:33 PM // 15:33

i don't do runs - i prefer to make it on my own - but i respect the pseudo profession and i completely agree. this is complete horseshit - a good bit of karma though - you did your part - they will get theirs, it always happens

btw how much do you charge? and i think for your safety as a runner - an upfront charge should be a rule - not an option - yes it will shy away some business - but you can make a rule of "if you don't make it i'll give the money back" and people have to go on YOUR honor system now - not vice versa

EternalTempest · Jul 30, 2005, 03:50 PM // 15:50

I also really like the idea of a promisery note. It would be very nice. I nice feature is if you have a guild gold chest, you can have the note go to it. That way people can gather gold for there guild for stuff, have it as a membership fee where the person doesn't have to pay all up front, etc.

I would love to see some advance options on this too such as setting % to you / % towards note.

Hanok Odbrook · Jul 30, 2005, 04:47 PM // 16:47

Well, considering that in my real world retail job, people steal and destroy merchandise in the store all the time, which directly affects the pay we receive, affecting the ability for us to put food on the table for our families (do people really think that the CEO is going to take a pay cut because someone doesn't feel like paying for something, or that insurance pays for it? NOT - it's us on the floor that has to pay for it in the end), it's kinda hard to sympathize with people exploiting a shortcut in the game instead of playing through as intended, then cheating you out of your virtual profits. Stop your whining and just go farm.

That being said *stepping down from soapbox*, I don't begrudge the runners their "profession," however I wouldn't rely on it as it really goes against the intended way to play the game, and might see some kind of nerf down the road. Right now, the low level arenas are becoming unbalanced due to the runners trying to get high quality armor and weapons, and don't forsee Anet letting this continue, but we'll see what the updates and expansions bring.

Hanok Odbrook
Real Millennium Group Guild
http://www.realmillenniumgroup.com/guild.html
Truth * Knowledge * Peace

Lagg · Jul 30, 2005, 04:54 PM // 16:54

Build up a good reputation and have everyone always pay up front (refund if you fail the run). This way only one of both parties needs to be honourable (and you seem like quite the jolly chap).

Problem solved.

Quote:

Honest Runners of Tyria, Unite!

You know, this is very clever.

You guys should get syndicated. This way, if you do meet dishonest customers, they could be placed on a general "unworthy playerlist" and be despised by the GW community at large.

Aniewiel · Jul 30, 2005, 05:03 PM // 17:03

I feel for the OP and, sorry to say, there's always going to be someone willing to take advantage of trust. If I were you, I would ask for payments along the way. I have seen Drok's runners taking payment at Snake Dance, Camp Rankor and Droknar's Forge (1-1.5k at each stop). Seems like a reasonable plan.

I am moving this to Off Topic & Absurd as this is primarily the suggestions forum.

Kazumi7677 · Jul 30, 2005, 05:43 PM // 17:43

It's all good. I seem to always be posting in the wrong board. o_O

Anyhoo. Like I said before, it doesn't surprise me when folks don't pay me. I'm not whining about it, and I'm not trying to garnish anyone's sympathy. I'd be a fool not to expect that sort of thing in a game since people steal from each other all the time IRL. It just pisses me off when people try and give me a lecture as to why they're not going to pay me, which I have gotten a few of recently. It's one thing to run off without paying, but to stick around long enough to lecture someone on it? What, do you think I'm going to say, "Oh wow! I see totally the error of my ways! You know what, I'm not gonna charge people anymore. In fact, here's a refund for the rest of you! Sorry for wasting your time!" Please.

Gendred - I stick to Augury Rock for my running. It doesn't pay as much as a Droknar run, but it's less frustrating and takes a less amount of time. I charge 200 for a run to Destiny's Gorge, 300 for Elona Reach, and 500 for Dunes of Despair. I was thinking of adding Thirsty River and Seeker's Passage for 500 each, and maybe Hero's Audience for only 100-200. It's not much for one person to pay for a run, but for me it all adds up. With a group of 5 people tagging along, I can make up to 2500 in a few minutes, provided they all pay. Most of the time they do, and I just shrug my shoulders when there's one who doesn't.

Kago Seirei - I've tried farming. Compared to running those short distances in the desert, it's just not as profitable for me. I'm not in a guild ATM that bands together for that sort of thing, and because of friends I'm not inclined to leave for a guild that is.

I have been thinking of looking for or creating some kind of website for runners. It would be nice to have, especially since it's a commonplace thing in the GWs universe. A place to discuss reasonable prices for the distances. And to put down the names of people who stiff runners, or runners who run off on their transports. All's fair and such.

John Bloodstone · Jul 30, 2005, 06:26 PM // 18:26

I think it pretty much works both ways, if everyone in this game was honest and paid up when they were supposed to then we would have a lot more runners than we do now, why? easy money. At least at the moment there are enough problems associated with running to discourage many people from doing it (and subscribing to it). With fewer runners, those that do do it can charge more because of less competition (hm, where have I heard that principle before...)

Funny reverse logic I know, but if you think about it, it makes sense - if running was really that easy and trouble free, everyone would be doing it, and you'd get far less for your runs.

PippinTook · Jul 31, 2005, 02:08 AM // 02:08

http://www.putfile.com/media.php?n=your_lightsaber_100
Lightsaber safety movie. This might brighten up your day. I thought it was funny at least.