Caravan Trader
Caravan Trader
Superiors: Caravan Leader
Difficulty: Medium
Duties: Secure trade contracts, Negotiate prices, Transport goods, Expand influence, Manage inventory - Try to not get everything stolen
Overwiev
As a Caravan Trader for the Caravan Company, you are responsible for Trade, Transports and bartering resources essential for the Wastelands. Representing the New Vegas-based Crimson Caravan your role involves sourcing vital supplies from Wasteland settlements, managing contracts, and negotiating deals with other factions. Your trading skills are key in ensuring a steady flow of goods, from food and water to medical supplies and rare technologies. The wasteland might be harsh, but where there's a cap to be made, the Caravan Company thrives.
Duties
- Secure Trading Contracts: Engage with various factions, settlements, and individuals to establish mutually beneficial trade agreements.
- Negotiate Prices: Use your sales expertise to secure the best possible rates for both buying and selling goods. Profit is the game's name, but undercutting rivals is also a useful tactic.
- Transport Goods: Ensure the safe transportation of trade items across the station. Be vigilant, as high-value items might attract unwanted attention.
- Expand Influence: Build strong relationships across the Wasteland to grow the Caravan's Company network. Reputation is valuable, and loyal clients can become regular sources of income.
- Manage Inventory: Track supplies, replenish stocks, and maintain essential items for trade. Be prepared for emergencies, where key supplies might sell at a premium.
Starting Gear
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Caravan Outfit: Distinctive desert-inspired outfit with a reinforced vest and trading insignia, suitable for long treks.
Personal Weapon: Light pistol or small melee weapon for self-defense.
Caps & Credits: Starting stash of caps (the main wasteland currency) and NCR currency to facilitate trades.
Trashcart: Can be found around the Caravan Camp, a useful storage to transport various materials as equipment for trades routes.
How to Profit Trade
Available for free, inside the warehouse are several shelves full of equipment, food, ammunition, clothes, and other tools. In this regard, it is advisable to not move the sales material too much to avoid confusion in the case of other traders.
Once you have an idea about your possibilities, objects and ideas of what to sell and not, it's time to get to work;
- Survey Demand: Identify which goods are in high demand on the Wasteland by visiting the Settlements and Factions. Pay attention to the needs of the other factions—such as the NCR, Brotherhood of Steel, or the Town that may have specific trade interests.
- Negotiate Prices and Barter: Set up a Caravan route in the region or roam around the Wasteland to find clients. Use your sales ledger and knowledge of market trends to barter effectively. Caravan favors high profit margins but values repeat customers.
- Transport Goods Safely: Eventually you'll be asked to transport valuable goods such as medicine or weapons. Wasteland isn't just dangerous for its wildlife. Your Caravan Guard are always be armed and ready for the unexpected.
Faction Relationships
New California Republic: Friendly, long-time trading partners; often require Caravan’s Company aid with food supplies and equipment.
Brotherhood of Steel Wary; willing to trade for rare tech but dislikes sharing energy resources.
Vault Fourteen: Friendly; they often need medical supplies and will trade information in exchange.
Raiders & Tribals: Hostile; some freelance traders may attempt to undercut your deals, and tribals raiders might attack your goods en route.
Tips for Success
- Stay Connected: Try and get a Radio as soon as possible, usually we'll just need circuits-materials to craft one by ourself.
- Watch Out for Scams: Not all wasteland dwellers have the best intentions; be cautious when making trades with unknown parties.
- Maximize Profits: Consider stockpiling highly demanded items or rare goods when prices are low, then sell high when scarcity hits.
- Trade-Patners: Be in touch almost immediately with the Factions. Set up a route to Caravan, and get the Townfolks people to purchase your merc.
Trivia
The Caravan Company has been around since pre-war times and is one of the most successful trade groups in the Mojave Wasteland. Its reputation carries a mix of fear, respect, and grudging admiration.