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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsThe Dos and Don'ts of getting a port
by Robin Torres 
Dec 23rd 2008 at 2:00PM
I'm a dork. I admit it. I love my mage and I love making portals for people, even non-tippers. In fact, you have to work pretty hard not to get a port from me. Which is why, even after decades of dealing with anonymous jerks in BBS chat rooms and on the internet, I was a little shocked at how rude a level 62 Tauren Shaman who shall remain nameless was when demanding a port from me. Maybe he just didn't know any better. So here is a little guide as to how to increase your chances of getting a port from a mage you don't know.
Don't just invite to a group without saying anything
In general, this is a bad idea for anything. You should always send a tell to the person you want to join your group for any reason before inviting.
Do make it a request
Captain Obvious is snickering in the background, but demanding anything from a stranger is not likely to get you what you want.
Do say please
You can even say PLZ if you want, though that may not work with people for whom that is a pet peeve.
Do get your levels right
A level 60 mage cannot port you to Shattrath City, for example. They can't train that Portal Spell until level 65. Mages can port you to Stonard at 35 (if they went there to get the spell) and the major cities in the old world (except Darnassus and Thunder Bluff) at 40. They get the more out of the way city at 50. And if you want to get ported to Dalaran, ask a mage who is level 74 or higher.
Do offer to pay
Portals are not free. They require a reagent that the mage must purchase and keep on hand. Since they cost 20 silver a piece, you should offer at least that much as payment.
Don't make the mage come to you
Go to where the mage is or ask where is convenient to meet.
Don't get belligerent
Even if you do everything right, the mage may not want to port you. Mages don't owe you a port just because they can do it. Just try to find another mage or get to your destination on your own. You certainly aren't going to convince the mage to port you by being angry.
The Spousal Unit later saw Mr. Rudeguywhocan'tspellchief in Orgrimmar about an hour after I refused to port him. I don't know if he found a willing mage or if he made his way from Thrallmar himself. I wish I had asked him if being that rude ever works for him.
Does rudely demanding ports work for any of you?
Filed under: Mage, Analysis / Opinion, How-tos
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 11)
Beatphreek Dec 23rd 2008 2:10PM
I tip the convenience factor... if I'm asking for a port its because I'm too lazy or don't have much time to get where I'm going. The last port I got I tipped 5g. I do that more to ensure the mage doesn't say no than anything else.
Jafari Dec 23rd 2008 2:13PM
On my (non-mage) alts, I always buy the Rune of Portals myself and give it as part of the tip. I always say in trade that I intend to tip 2-4 gold and have my own Rune (4g is really not that much money when you think about it, but usually enough to motivate someone to port to wherever I am)
It's very helpful to meet mages at the point the portal lands --- i.e., near the portal trainer -- that way, when a mage teleports to your city, you're right there. Also, when someone pst's you "Where r u?", you can say, "at the portal trainer in [citynamehere]," which will usually result in a done deal.
Cahlbraun Dec 23rd 2008 2:11PM
I don't think anyone can emphasize that pet peeve thing enough for my taste. If you invite me to a PuG, "u heal plz?" will see you on my ignore list. Asking my mage for a port to anywhere with "port to (x) thx" will see you on my ignore list. If you can't handle typing out a full sentence with at least an attempt at grammar, you get to join the rank of my ignore list.
On that note, my ignore list is full.
Kakistocracy Dec 23rd 2008 2:18PM
I think there are addons that can hook you up with more room on the old ignore list. That said, I have this irrational fear that someone will say something worthwhile, so I don't like to use my ignore list.
AyaJulia Dec 23rd 2008 4:01PM
One of my favorite sayings in the world, jacked from forums sigs across the internet:
"You say 'plz' because it's shorter than 'please,' so I say 'no' because it's shorter than 'yes.'"
Kale Dec 23rd 2008 2:13PM
I get the same sort of thing with people wanting my rogue to open lockboxes. If they are polite I will always do it, even if they don't tip, but it is amazing how rude people can get when you won't give in to their rudeness. I've found ignoring to be very handy in those cases.
Madjap Dec 23rd 2008 2:12PM
I would have opened a portal in front of him and yelled, "Free port for all, except the douche next to me."
LostOne Dec 23rd 2008 2:11PM
Just the other day I walked into a Taco Bell and said, "Hey numbnuts, buy me some tacos."
Not really...but if I did, I'd fully expect to lose a couple teeth in the process.
Anow Dec 23rd 2008 2:17PM
lolololz.
Clever ^.^
Alteran57 Dec 23rd 2008 2:12PM
Wow, when i used to play my mage i actually had an officer in my old guild get angry at me when i was alt-tab'd for 2 sec then came back to him telling me he was an officer and he would kick me out of the guild if i didnt open up a port for him
hmmm, too bad he was the one who got kicked out a few weeks later.
grabulsa Dec 23rd 2008 2:12PM
http://www.wowarmory.com/character-sheet.xml?r=Daggerspine&n=Supercheif
He didn't even spell chief properly.
Murdock Dec 23rd 2008 2:27PM
Looking at his gear, I'd say he was purchased. Who has that many solid Epics mixed in with Green "of Intellect" items?
Missescake Dec 23rd 2008 4:38PM
Level 62 and only 251 quests completed?
Yet he's earned the 'Scout' title, so he's been around for what, over two years....
And tailoring and enchanting as professions....
Has acquired 11 epic items, but only has 2 currently equipped and is instead stacking green 'of Intellect' gear.
Has not Hearthed a single time since they started tracking achievements. Not once.
Definitely looking a random alt that someone sold off. I get the feeling the the new owner doesn't have a clue what he's doing.
Someone who plays on Daggerspine needs to whisper this... player, and at the very least explain what a hearthstone does. And that s/he shouldn't act like a total asshat to strangers.
Oh, and the most important stat I noticed: "Mage Portals taken: 0".
vazhkatsi Dec 24th 2008 3:12AM
he's a shaman, ancestral recall isn't a hearth i believe
Amaxe Dec 23rd 2008 2:12PM
Back when I needed one (before I made my home in Shatt and later Dalaran), I would use trade, with "WTB Port to (Destination). I will Tip"
Then wait for responses. When I got one we would negotiate where to meet and how much it would cost.
miked Dec 23rd 2008 3:14PM
maybe it's just me, but as the one tipping i feel it should be up to you to determine the 'price'. if you asked for a portal saying you would tip, and then asked me how much i wanted, i would just say "the reagent costs 18s".your 'negotiating a price' concept confuses me ;-p
clearly, i don't go around charging 10-20g per port like some other mages that have commented. i generally get tips from 1-5g, sometimes 10g or more, and very rarely do i not get tipped. when i don't get tipped, it's most often a level 20 going from UC to orgrimmar or something, and i don't count it against them. they're low level, (likely) poor, and are just trying to save some time. but if you're 60+ and headed to shattrath or dalaran and aren't tipping (even just covering the cost of the rune), i consider it a little rude. but like i said... i make enough profit from the other tips, one cheapskate now and then isn't going to break my wallet.
i'd rather be the helpful mage that people tip willingly rather than the asshole charging 10g a port.
Amaxe Dec 23rd 2008 8:04PM
Half the time they wanted to know "how much" and then we bargained.
If they did not ask, 5g was my standard tip
Croe Dec 23rd 2008 2:12PM
It's just like when someone puts a locked lockbox into my rogue's trade window and expects me to pick it for them. Nowadays I have that blocked, but it amazes me how much I see the message that says someone is trying to trade with me spammed.
My favourite was a gold farmer who, after repeatedly spamming me to open his box, said 'You die!' to me when I refused.
I'll pick a lock, but ask first. If you just expect it from me, then I'll ignore you or charge something hefty.
Yeah, and don't use 'plz' when asking me. I really hate that. :)
Andy Dec 23rd 2008 2:12PM
They must pay at least the 20 silver if they come to me. Though I have been known to be very charitable to brand new players. If I come to them, it will cost depending on how far away they are. If they are rude, tough I have better things to do than dealing with rude players.
As far word abbreviations go. I will over look it. If they say something like "Dood c8nt i getz a potz frum U 2 IF thnx I
Andy Dec 23rd 2008 2:19PM
hmmm the end got cut off
if they say somthing like ""Dood c8nt i getz a potz frum U 2 IF thnx I