[HoE] Pricing Junker stuff

[Matthew Steflik <grifflik@stny.rr.com>]

Chris Merrill wrote:


> The problem I had with 10 was I wrote up the Light Saber and the cost to
> make one was $44. So x10 would only make it $440 which is close to the cost
> of high end pistols (yea there high end but there still the cheapest thing
> listed). If you need to know the cost to build just take off two zeros.
> Makes math easy.
>

That's still a doosie of a multiplier.  I don't let my posse get their hands on that
kind of cash, and everything they do get seems to go toward food, lodging and
weapon/vehicle maintenance most of the time.  I guess the Junker that designed the
thing has the prerogative to charge what he wants, but I can't imagine he'd be
selling anything but the occasional piece to a powerful town baron or some such.  He
wouldn't be getting much business from typical wasteland character types (unless your
posse has got a huge cash flow in your game, of course). To use your light saber
example, $4356 is a hell of a markup from the cost to make the device.  The only way
one of my posse would ever be able to afford one would be as a 5 point belongings at
the start.  I think I'd have to agree with Bill on this - using a 10 multiplier seems
more reasonable as it would still be turning the Junker a tidy profit after parts (to
use your light saber example again, $396 isn't bad at all) while keeping it in the
price range of someone serious enough to want to buy it.  I mean, the user would
still have to worry about stability, replacing the power source, etc. so the Junker
could make more off of him for upkeep of the weapon (I'm guessing at this as I
haven't seen your specs for the saber - wish I could, but I still only get a blank
palmcorder screen on your site...sigh.  Am I the only person with this problem?)
But, as I said before, I suppose the Junker has the prerogative.  Now, if he's got
the greedy hindrance, I say go for it! :)

Matt