Welcome to Gaia! ::

the same skullduggery happens on here as it does on Neo, and you are all too well aware of what goes on there, most prices stabilise again after a short while 3nodding

i find the prices fluctuate even more at the end of the month when the new donation items are released

Two things I ahe noticed that *might* be worth mentioning... to the best of my knowledge my quest thread itself has never resulted in a single item or gold donated.
Although yes, I have been given some gifts, the majority of that was when I was very new, people trying to help in that respect, and then about a week ago the barrage of gifts co ordinated by "Super Friends" to help complete my dream avatar, but in the mean time, my quest thread has grown to I don't know how many dozens of pages and it basically is a place where I can go, post, post, post, hang out with friends when possible, and just EARN gold. As it happens, my lists actually help me remember what is is I hope to purchase at some future time...

As for the market fluctuations, I was more than a little let down myself when after saving and saving and saving for Penguin~or~Baby Seal Slippers, the prices on them jumped 30K to 40K in just a few weeks so unless I find an incerdible deal, it looks like I will be questing for one of those two items for a while still to come....

Aaaaaah - Spring Break!! Amazingly enough, that hadn't occured to me (eventhough 1/2 the continent is in Florida right now), but you're right... that is likely part of the increases I've seen or seen complained about recently.

I did expect some fluctuations to occur - just like on Neo or in RL. It's interesting to hear some of the thoughts you all have mentioned concerning this specific marketplace though; End of the month donation items, the Mochi in particular, and just increased traffic on the site having an effect. I hadn't considered them.

It sounds as though you all think the price will probably drop a bit over the next week or so, which is encouraging. I will stick to my goal for the time being and just wait and see...

Lizzy, I agree with you concerning the Quest threads (and recently posted something to that effect in my thread). I honestly don't understand how they work on a realistic level other than being a place of "yours" to post and chat and make gold with your friends. Idealistically I understand that bumping it may get it seen by a generous benefactor, but I tend to think those instances are few and far between. Oh well. At least it's another place to meet up with friends. wink

Thanks for the feedback guys!

i agree that quest threads don't serve any real gold earning potential, you can't earn more by having a quest, apart from the rare generous donation.

do bare in mind that that can happen, Cupcake was given a jolly hat in December, when they were retailing for 17K..

but they do serve a purpose, a place to hang out and chat, and that can give you unexpected gains too, i got my bear PJ's because i've made friends with Deidre and Kim from hanging out in their thread, and i enjoy putting a quest together and playing around with graphics/images etc.

Plus, it gives us somewhere to get together if the guilds are down 3nodding

Yeah I feel the same. I don't expect donations, but I figure it's a good place for people to up their post counts and for me to organize and keep track of my progress.

Exactly! That and having a place to hang out with friends (more than I expected in fact)
I really feel bad for people who think a quest thread might guaruntee anything more. long ago I had to face the fact Gaia is a tough place to earn gold but I have learned to love it anyway. Also at the end of a month's time, my neo premium service does not guaruntee gaining neopoints, but the same amount donated to Gaia certainly guaruntees gold. lol