Sixth Council - Mikey's at it again

I do not know how I feel about this Commerce Minister. I feel there might start to be a diffusion of responsibility if this were to be enacted. (If one person is in charge of something, it will get done. If more than one person is in charge of something, there is an increased likelihood that it will not get done due to a diffusion of responsibility.) I understand where you are going, Mayor, and there could be a distinct set of rules that would prevent this diffusion from happening. However, as Head Merchant, I already do this every day. I do not see the need for their to be another person. Even if the Head Merchant is out of town, s/he should understand the needs of the town.

While on this subject, along with the name change from Official Town Merchant to Head Merchant came a slightly different set of responsibilities. Ideally, the Head Merchant is in charge of the merchant fleet. The Head Merchant should spend most of the time in Chard coordinating the other merchants trips and trades. This, obviously, requires MORE merchants. But I think we should spend more energy recruiting more merchants as opposed to creating new jobs.


For Chard!
Rebo

Rebo wrote:

However, as Head Merchant, I already do this every day. I do not see the need for their to be another person. Even if the Head Merchant is out of town, s/he should understand the needs of the town.

I agree.

Rebo wrote:

While on this subject, along with the name change from Official Town Merchant to Head Merchant came a slightly different set of responsibilities. Ideally, the Head Merchant is in charge of the merchant fleet. The Head Merchant should spend most of the time in Chard coordinating the other merchants trips and trades. This, obviously, requires MORE merchants. But I think we should spend more energy recruiting more merchants as opposed to creating new jobs.

I agree!

Atri

The only way I can think of recruiting more merchants would be a forum thread and/or a message somehow to as many people as possible and then I guess we just have to wait because we can't exactly force people to become merchants so if there's a lack of them in Chard that should tell us something...

First thing maybe people don't know Chard is actually looking for merchants.

And second maybe being a merchant and losing out on different things like money and reputation points doesn't sound very attractive.

Thorpe

Thorpe wrote:

The only way I can think of recruiting more merchants would be a forum thread and/or a message somehow to as many people as possible and then I guess we just have to wait because we can't exactly force people to become merchants so if there's a lack of them in Chard that should tell us something...

First thing maybe people don't know Chard is actually looking for merchants.

And second maybe being a merchant and losing out on different things like money and reputation points doesn't sound very attractive.

Thorpe

Actually there was such a post made, but it was sort of buried in the merchant thread:

rebo wrote:

It has been brought to my attention that the people of Chard believe that there is to only be one merchant for Chard. This is partially true: there is only one Official Merchant, (s)he who reports to the Town Council on trade and trade offers, but anyone can be a merchant.

Being a merchant is a hard job. It requires patience, good communication skills, trustworthiness, commitment, and courage. You will often loose (or not make any) money, and you should have high charisma and strength.

I learned that I could be a merchant from a Mayor Bellos' message in town hall four (or five?) mayoral terms ago, and I just realized that I have not spread the word since I have become Chard's Official Merchant. Shame on me!

Anyone who is interested in learning what it takes to become a Merchant, please contact me via PM or in game mail or in the taverns or posting in this thread.

For Chard!
Rebo
Chard's Official Merchant and now self-proclaimed Merchant Trainer

Perhaps another thread in the RK forum more specifically for this purpose, and providing a bit more details. Or directing them to a thread, say a "Merchants office" subforum under the "mayor's office" here, where interested persons could be linked to, and where Rebo could train and coordinate his team, rahter than PMing him. Similar to the Mentor's Team office.

Some more details about the potential risks and rewards would help folks determine if they were interested. I would think that many would forego some wages in exchange for the opportunity to travel and see other places and meet new people.

Atri

On the other hand, Rebo really has his hands full right now. So let's not pile too much on him, lol.

Atri wrote:

On the other hand, Rebo really has his hands full right now. So let's not pile too much on him, lol.

*Shrugs* That's why I suggested the town trade minister, but if Rebo wants to also take care of incoming merchants, far be it from me to deny him that right

And from what I've seen, the major reason people won't become a merchant is that it is unpaid, which is sadly the case, a merchant obviously does not make money compared to staying in Chard working, we'd only get people who want to travel and visit other towns at their own expense.

I have made few announcements about recruiting merchants in the past (3 or 4 I believe), and so far have ONE person sign up. I agree with Mike, the reason I think most people are hesitant is the lack of pay. We need to find people who are interested in traveling the world, seeing foreign lands, meeting new people, exploring the country's many taverns, eating fresh fruit and fish, and being a strong ambassador for our glorious town. Unfortunately, people would rather work the fields....

-Rebo