WoW Rookie: Handing over the goods
by Lisa Poisso 
Aug 27th 2009 at 9:00AM
You've saved for weeks. You've farmed for mats; you've farmed for gold. You've scoured the Auction House and nabbed every last, hard-to-find component. You have everything you need for that Big Cool Crafted Item. The final question remains: How do you know the crafter to whom you've just handed your precious trove of materials won't simply turn around and log off?
The best insurance against hit-and-run crafting is an ounce or two of prevention. The safest methods, of course, are to make your item yourself or to use a crafter who's able to provide all the necessary materials. If those options aren't on the table, however, you'll need to track down a reputable maker. We'll show you how to cover your bases.
Select a known crafter. Ask friends and guildmates for recommendations - heck, don't forget to check and see if your friends and guildies can get the job done for you first! If not, choose a crafter you've seen doing business over Trade over an extended period of time. Membership in a respected guild can also be a good sign. If you're still unsure, take a peek at (/inspect) their own gear; if you don't see any signs of their specialty on their own gear, use caution.
Invite your crafter to a group. Grouping makes it easier to meet up and see what actions he or she is performing with your mats.
Verify that the crafter can make the item you need. Whisper, "I want to make sure I have all the correct mats. Can you link me your profession, please?" They'll respond by sending you a gold link referring to the appropriate profession. Clicking that will open a window showing all the recipes that player knows. Make sure the item you want is listed.
Click it right. It's easy to get caught waiting impatiently without noticing that the Trade window isn't green. Learn Trade window basics.
Use the No Trade window when possible. Some effects and services can be performed by putting your item in the No Trade window (the very last, bottom slot in the trade window). When you use the No Trade window, there's absolutely no risk that the other player can acquire your item, even if you both click "Trade." Services that can be performed from the No Trade window include:
Hand over your mats. Crafters can't make an item from mats in the trade panel; they have to have the materials in their inventory before they can craft. It's time for the hand-off.
Report theft. If the worst happens and the crafter "disappears" with your materials, file a ticket with a GM.
WoW Rookie walks you through all sort of new-player concerns, from game lingo for the beginner to joining your first guild as a mid-level player and on to what to do when you finally hit level 80. Visit the WoW Rookie Guide for links to all our tips, tricks and how-to's.Filed under: Tips, WoW Social Conventions, Features, WoW Rookie
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
Michael Aug 27th 2009 1:02PM
I think the responsibility is two-fold. You would think that someone who did the research to find out about such an item would have had the forethought to see if the item was Binds on Pickup/Use/Equip.
That being said, a responsible crafter should be willing to say "You realize this is a BOP item, correct?" before even initiating the transaction.
raw_toe Aug 27th 2009 10:10AM
i'm finally in a guild that has someone doing every prof. However, one thing i used to do is grab a screenshot of the mats in the trade window before i click trade. i also made sure the chat window was visible and showing the part where the other person agreed to craft X for me. It wouldn't stop them from ripping me off, but i would have proof of the deal to send a GM if i had to.
another thing, don't freak out if you give someone mats and they run off. ask them what they are doing. I threatened to report a blacksmith after he ran off with my mats once. My bad, he needed to go to a forge to craft the item >
Golis Aug 27th 2009 12:00PM
As a Blacksmith, I only meet someone at the forge when I take their mats. That way I don't scare them by needing to travel anywhere.
Also, as a personal note, I try to keep most standard mats (bars, eternals) in stock. When someone comes to me and says, "Please craft X, I have Mats..." I quickly craft the item from my personal stock, then trade straight across... mats for object.
eliminates all nervousness from first time traders.
Malkia Aug 27th 2009 10:11AM
I sometimes make low level LW gear for anyone who happens to be in the same town as me. I don't ask for tips, and I make sure to write everything in chat so they can have a chat log in the event that I rip them off (Not ever going to happen.)
"Okay, you gave me 21 borean leather. 4 heavy borean leather .." and so on.. "I'm making (link item) correct?"
Don't feel embarassed to ask for this kind of information in the chat. The chat logs are your evidence if they make off with 800 gold worth of materials.
If you DO get ripped off and have this chat log evidence put in a ticket for the GM so they can look.
Also, if you're really new? Old world recipes are HARD to find crafters for. You have to be patient. Some of the rarer recipes may only have a handful of active players that know it, and even fewer willing to stop whatever they're doing to make it for you.
I've generally been more inclined to help people with stuff that doesn't benefit me, especially when it comes to crafting, if they are polite about it. Asking in all caps in trade chat will get you ignored by many reputable crafters.
GoldenGoat Aug 27th 2009 10:21AM
It's interesting. On one hand, I have always favored the idea of Blizz implementing a "furnish materials" type window for this type of transaction - thus fully including the assembly in trade mechanics, and preventing the possibility of this kind of fraud.
- BUT -
I too have NEVER been ripped off in this way, or ever even heard of anyone who has, which is surprising given how easy it would be to simply take your truckload of blue cloth and Runed Orbs and /camp. Could it be that crafters are more ... ethical than the WoW population as a whole? Or am I (and everyone I know) just lucky...?
gymkata Aug 27th 2009 11:22AM
@GoldenGoat:
I haven't had many high level items crafted but also have had really good luck thus far - Kind of gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling, lol. One possibility re: crafters being more ethical is that we all know how much of a pain in the butt maxing out a profession can be, so anyone with 420+ in a profession is obviously in it for the long haul (unless they bought a toon on ebay) so are (probably) less likely to be the ninja type... just a theory. This article makes me want to play my Mage more so I can repay some of the good deeds I've received with my Tailoring.
Aldheim Aug 27th 2009 1:43PM
Well, it's really pretty basic.
At low levels of a crafting profession, stealing the mats isn't really worth it, because the mats are so cheap. You might make a couple of gold, but it's probably not worth the time to screw someone.
At the highest levels, the plans are rare enough that you can pretty easily have a good grip on the market by yourself- if you're the one guy with a Trial of the Crusader pattern on your server, you don't want to screw with anybody, because you probably have much more to gain by playing things straight. You can charge ridiculous crafting fees and get away with it, for example. And most guilds don't want to give all their great raid crafting recipes to a known ninja (because if you'll screw someone else, it's pretty likely you'll eventually screw them too.)
The biggest danger is probably at the early raid recipes that you can just get from the trainer, Titansteel Destroyers and the like, but even those have a safety mechanism in that no amount of ninjaing is going to recoup your investment in the profession. Sure, you might make a couple hundred gold by stealing somebody's Destroyer mats, but to be able to make the Destroyer in the first place you probably sunk a thousand gold or more!
LostOne Aug 27th 2009 10:54AM
I take screenshots showing the mats in my possession, the trade window with the mats on my side, etc. It would be nice if they'd make an expanded trade window that has a special spot for mats, once the mats are there the crafter can select the recipe and make the item or cast the enchant. By clicking trade you are acknowledging that you want the crafter to use your mats. By the crafter clicking trade they are acknowledging they are using your mats to craft an item for you or enchant your item. No mats actually trade hands in this way.
Miri Aug 27th 2009 11:14AM
I've never been scammed, but I hate trying to find someone with exactly what I need.
I've got a profession on each of my alts, and my husband has done the same. We've rotated who got to 80 first and maxed out their skills so we're covered. So far I've got the high level tailor, enchanter, inscriptionist, portals (not a skill, but something good to have!), JC and alchemist.
My husband has the max level BS, Engineer (for bullets), LW, and gathering skills to keep us stocked.
We pretty much take care of ourselves so we don't have to rely on other players.
Autumnlight Aug 27th 2009 11:22AM
My characters are Alch/JC and LW, I don't advertise in trade but If I see someone asking for something I can make and no one else responds I'll take pity and offer to make it for them.
The first thing I do is group up with them. (carbonite is really helpful for finding where your party members are)
The second thing is go to the bank - I make a lot of stuff for guild so have found it saves a lot of time to stockpile all the mats for anything I might be asked to make.
I then cut the gem or make the spiffy cape and go find the person. They put raw mats in trade window, I put in item, no drama, no worries and no fuss.
Groth Aug 27th 2009 12:02PM
I've had lots of items crafted for me, and I've crafted alot myself for others. Never been ninjad either.
One time I had someone demand that as the crafter, I trade them 200g for the mats which they said was to ensure I didn't log with their mats. I told them no, and that they could risk it or find another crafter. Fortunately for them, I'm trustworthy, and they got their shoulders.
If you know you'd like more kit made, it can be worth adding a nice crafter to your friends list- I met one of the rogues I regularly group with through making him levelling gear, then pvp gear and then epic gear.
Starforsaken Aug 27th 2009 1:07PM
I've never had any problems. Now I have all the professions maxed out so there's no real need for me to ask for a crafter, except for a few gem cuts, but I do craft a lot of stuff for others. When people are too scared/nervous, I just trade them gold for their mats, then ask for the gold back once I trade the item. Usually they'll give a higher tip, and it's safe for the both of us. Speaking of tips, crafting has become almost useless on my server, people are still tipping 2-3G / epic gem cut or epic craft. I consider myself lucky if I make 10g, and it's usually when I'm the one who has to travel.
scotttopic Aug 27th 2009 1:26PM
it doesn't make sense to me that they still haven't adjusted the UI to allow crafting without trading. if it means that you have to trade near an anvil or whatever, so be it. but it would eliminate any possibility of somebody dashing with your mats, and would save the GMs from having to wade through logs.
oricus12843 Aug 27th 2009 3:04PM
Um, why would you put poison on someone elses weapon!? The only class who can use them are rogues, and if you're fellow rogue doesn't have poison on him (which I have never seen happen) then just trade them a few poisons for the encounter.
The same goes for armor kits. Every toon can use armor kits for themselves, so just stick them in the regular trade window and trade them for gold or free whatever. I understand that they 'can' be placed in that slot, but there's really no point in it. There are no 'armor kit' ninjas.
Dightkuz Aug 27th 2009 3:50PM
If you want SEVERAL items crafted by the same crafter, give first the materials for ONE item that you want crafted, preferably the item with the cheapest materials so if you get scammed it won't be that much of a loss.
And lasty, if you do get the crafted item back, then the crafter is most likely not a scammer and you can proceed with giving the rest of the materials for the other items wanted.
This is to prevent that you don't give all your materials for several items to one crafter, and then get scammed of all those materials.
Hoggersbud Aug 27th 2009 4:24PM
One thing I haven't seen brought up is having a lot of things crafted at once. Try to avoid that, and when you do, only trade a portion of the mats over at a time. Saves headaches for you and the crafter. I know I've accidentally crafted two of the wrong thing because somebody wanted a full set of Saronite something and got confused. No real loss, but still, it's easier if you just do it slowly.
Josh Chaney Aug 27th 2009 4:36PM
I recently had someone make me an epic quality ring and necklace. I provided all mats. We never discussed a price or tip. After he crafted the items and popped open trade and put the items in, I thought I would give him 50g as a tip ( which I thought was a very nice tip ). He sat there for a minute and would not hit the trade button. I finally received a message from him saying I will have to do better than 50g. So he opens again, I grudgingly put up 100g. He sits for another minute then the trade is cancelled. He messages me again saying that he could sell the items for 2000g on the auction house. I remind him that I provided him with the mats ( that nearly cost that much ) and that he was holding my gear hostage. He says I will have to do twice as good as my last offer. What else was I supposed to do, I spent more ( a lot more ) than 200g on the mats, so I gave him 200g and he finally traded the items. He started spamming trade offering his services, I made sure everyone was aware of the 200g tip he required. I created a ticket for the GM about the situation. The next day I have 150g in my mailbox ( I guess he got to keep 50g as the tip I was willing to give ), and it appeared he was banned for a few days. Was not a fun situation, and I won't be dealing outside of my guild anymore.
dlar3 Aug 27th 2009 4:38PM
Somewhat off track... The other day I was LF a BS in trade to make some crafted PVP gear for my fresh DK. When the guy showed up at the anvil, I passed him the mats and he crafted the wrong item. He was very apologetic and then proceeded to craft me the entire set and GAVE it all to me free of charge with no prompting from myself. I just wanted to point out that this article paints a dark picture, but it is not always the case. I try to use known reputable crafters, but you should not be afraid to ask for random help in trade if need be. Just cover your butt and be polite. BTW, the guys name was Yso on the Maiev realm. He comes highly recommended.
nieboh Aug 27th 2009 6:47PM
I can understand what the BS did. I'd probably do the same if I was in his position just because I'd feel like a dumb ass for making the wrong thing. Plus, if it's the blue pvp gear you're talking about...that stuff is pretty cheap anyway. Lately i can hardly give away stacks of saronite ore and a few eternals is pretty easy too. But, it's also fostering good will and you might remember him when you want that titansteel helm or destroyer made.
dlar3 Aug 27th 2009 8:15PM
Perhaps, but he had the mats and could just as easily recrafted the correct item and took my tip. Soranite sells well on my server and crafting the whole PVP set him back well over 100g and he still refused my tip. If he was just trying to foster good will, it worked!! I'll definitely look him up the next time I need a BS.