How do you get rare stuff?

[pixiewytch]

I've only been on vmk for about four months now and I've just now decided to actively seek some rare items. Now I'm not talking about inferno or green flips. I know there are a lot of things way out of my league or trading capability but I would really like some other retired hats or costume items, mainly princess things.

I guess what I'm wondering is how does someone obtain these things through trade or otherwise without owning many other retired items? I don't know what it was like before but in the past few months I've been on vmk, I have seen very few items released that are now retired with the exception of pins and a couple of hats.

I thought that doing the in park quests would help but I am seeing little interest in items obtained through the parks. Obviously anyone can get buyables but how do you manage to obtain retired items?

Now I'm sure there are folks who have been on here since the beginning or for a year or so and have many retired items in their inventory to trade but how do the rest of you do it? Are there host games I'm missing where you can actually win these things or is it just a matter of patience and waiting until vmk actually releases more items that are retired and then collectibles to trade?

 

[Pirate-Emery]

I've only been on vmk for about four months now and I've just now decided to actively seek some rare items. Now I'm not talking about inferno or green flips. I know there are a lot of things way out of my league or trading capability but I would really like some other retired hats or costume items, mainly princess things.

I guess what I'm wondering is how does someone obtain these things through trade or otherwise without owning many other retired items? I don't know what it was like before but in the past few months I've been on vmk, I have seen very few items released that are now retired with the exception of pins and a couple of hats.

I thought that doing the in park quests would help but I am seeing little interest in items obtained through the parks. Obviously anyone can get buyables but how do you manage to obtain retired items?

Now I'm sure there are folks who have been on here since the beginning or for a year or so and have many retired items in their inventory to trade but how do the rest of you do it? Are there host games I'm missing where you can actually win these things or is it just a matter of patience and waiting until vmk actually releases more items that are retired and then collectibles to trade?

I joined in late April, so I feel your pain. However, I do own quite a number of rare items without actually going to the parks.

The day that really did it for me was the Pirate Quest Weekend: I just stockpiled on those Eye-patch Hats and traded them off for other rare hats, which I traded for other rare things. Also, VMK did a huge Pin Trading Weekend Event where I was able to get up to three Grand Californian Pins, a pin held in quite high esteem.

So mainly I say, do the quests, buy the specials, and sit on the items.

 

[bopper]

You need a long term plan. You see, I have some extra of crowns and 4th of July hats and what not that I bought extra of to trade some time. So when I see somebody looking for a crown, I will see what they have to trade. So usually it is a bunch of buyable stuff (used to be the free stuff from games like Narnia stuff, but you can't trade that anymore!). Well, that is not worth it to me. Now I am not necessarily trying to get the best deal, but I want something that is not buyable.

How do you get not buyable?
1) Do every host/VMK quest there is. The other day there was a quest where you could win blue scoreboard, blue penny press, and blue turnstile. Those are not buyable, so do those quests. As a matter of fact, do guest quests too because often you can get some good prizes that you can use to trade later.

2) Play the host games. Hosts usually have a prize of one pin in a set that you could not buy. Like the churro pin for the "treat pins" or the lightcycle pin for the "tron pins". Those are very good for trading.

3) Do any host pin trading events. Another way to get non-buyable pins.

4) Participate in any events. Sometimes there will be a "ride-a-thon" where you get ice cubes or slide pieces or everest chairs for as many times you ride the ride.

5) Buy new things as they come out. Anything that is on special for a weekend, buy an extra to save for later. If any hats or costumes are on sale, buy extras.

6) Start trading for somewhat rare items, and work your way up. Any rarer pins you have, you could maybe trade for some retired furniture or rarer park quest items (although they are pretty common).

6) Read the trading section for vmk here on the disboards. See what a princess outfit is traded for, Start trading for those items.

7) Be patient. Halloween is right around the corner and I am sure there will be a lot of costumes on sale soon. I bet that some princess stuff will come back out (they have released them a few times now).

8) Play lots of games to get credits so you can buy all that stuff! You will want to buy extra costumes at Halloween so you have stuff to trade later.

 

[pixiewytch]

Thanks for your reply. It was very helpful. For some reason I'm always intimidated by these host events and I never seem to get to them. I will make a greater effort to do that from now on. I've always been a pretty introverted type so I guess I need to get out there, visit guest rooms, and make friends a bit more. It is just a little frustrating sometimes to wade through rooms with people who ignore you and something that turns out to be a waste of time.

I never attempt trading buyables for something rare. I know better than that and it is annoying to me when ppl try to do the same for the few collectibles I have.

It also seems like when I buy extras of something (like tron) it stays on sale forever and when I don't get the chance to buy extras of something (like 4th of july hat) they only sell it for one day. I've got to be more vigilant about that.

And you betcha I'm saving up credits for Halloween. I can't wait!

 

[bopper]

To make friends, what you want to do is try to make at least a few friends, and start hanging out with them. Then you see their friends, and ask the ones you like to be your friends.
How to make those first friends?
Well, maybe you like to play pirates or haunted mansion. If you find a team mate that you play well with, maybe play a few times with them and then ask to be their friend.

Visit some Quest rooms. People running quests have to sit in their room, so those are some people to talk to. Try their quest and then come back and tell them what you like about it. People always like that.

Go in some trade rooms and hang out for a bit. People running trade rooms don't mind random people hanging out. Look for interesting people there.

Accept anybody who asks you to be a friend (at first). Then visit those people and see what is going on with them.

 

[CoolTigerLily]

I practically live on the trade board. There is always the possibility something you want will be up for trade.

You could also put a wish list at the bottom of your signature. I know I look to see when people have a wish list at the bottom of their signature's. I did a couple of trades this weekend by reading someone's wish list.

And you never know someone might decided to perform a RAOK and surprise you with something from your list.

 

[Goofy_Bob]

Pixie,

Both Bopper and Pirate-Emery have excellent suggestions. I also started in April and have access to DLR In Park stuff. I found it very difficult and frustrating at first. So I stopped trading for about the first month and just concentrated on playing games and getting good at those. As already suggested I played every Quest and bought as many weekend specials as I could. I also tried to do the Host events but so far have never been able to do that successfully.

Eventually I went back to trading, really started to get into it during June. And since then I feel I've become quite the Master Trader As you, I wasn't trying for the Super Rare (Inferno, Green Flips, Stitch, etc.) and I didn't even know what Beta was. I just wanted some basic unbuyables. I managed to take the buyable stuff that was no longer buyable from the previous months and the In Park Quest (I call these items "Uncommon") and trade up. Sometimes it will take 4 or 5 of these Uncommon just to get 1 Lesser Rare furniture or just a piece of a costumer. then trade 2-3 of these Lesser Rare to get 1 Medium Rare and so on. You just got to keep trading, but always try to get more rare things.

Using this method and only In Park stuff and things I've got In Game since April I have managed to get nearly one of ever costume and hat (Still need Stitch, Black Mansion (I have Gray) and a Yellow Explorer Shirt without Camera). I also think I have at least one of nearly every piece of non-Beta furniture. I have all the pins I care about (and a few others) including all magic (except Inferno).

So chin up! It can be done. I did a lot of my trading before I even found Disboards and since then I've done so much more and what I've done has come easier.

A few more things -
Always be Polite, use Manners, and show Respect! while trading. I can't stress that enough.

Say Please and Thank You. Spell it out - plz or pls just don't feel the same.

Never beg and don't repeat the Pleases too much (comes off as begging).

Read the Info when in someoen else's trade room. Click the 'i' button in the lower corner. Watch for owner's name and wishlist there and follow any rules listed. Always adderss the owner by their title (shows Respect!). I never call the owner "Owner."

Read Signatures. As above, look for wishlists and/or that person's trade rules. Also sometimes there's something the person things is "witty" there (and sometimes it actually is ) and that can be used - see below.

Ask Before Trade - Talk to the person outside of trade. Ask if you can trade with them for something. Always say What for What (ie What you want and What you offer). Or at least say What you want and then ask if you can show offer in Trade window, but ask! It's Polite and shows Respect!

Be Polite even if Trade Fails. If they say "No, Sorry" I always reply "Don't be sorry, it's cool", I thank them for their time and move on (you never know when you might want to trade with that person again - don't burn bridges). Even if they don't apologize I thank them for looking at my offer and move on. There are thousands of people out there playing, you just got to find the person who has what you want and wants what you have. Again, Disboards will help with that.

Use Flattery/Small Talk. I do this sometimes. I'll use Sir or Lady (for example I might address you in game as Lady Pixie or similar). I'll compliment an owner on their "Fine Trade Room" or a prospective trader on their costume or funny signature. If I go into a quite trade room I will sometimes just sit and chat with the owner for a while before I bring up trading with them. Not only has this got me a few trades, I've made several friends this way.

Keep Track as best you can of what you have and what you want (I use a spreadsheet). Try to keep up with what is trading well and what's not. The names of those who trade fairly or generously and those that might be more reserverd. That's not to say you don't trade with the stingy ones, but be aware you're going to pay more. That's ok, sometimes you have too.

Finally Don't be too hard on yourself if you mess up. You'll make some bonehead trades (I once traded away Gold Ears and a Pink Heartless for a 300 credit Green Madame Leota table - I got confused on the color - I actually wanted the Blue one). Own Up to the fact that you Accepted it too. Just live and learn and move on to the next trade.

Good Luck!

 

[Mnementh]

Did you happen to buy a quest kiosk when they were on sale? For the majority of the rare stuff I have, I got for credits using my kiosk. 99% of the rare stuff I have, I only have 1 of and, like some people on here, I won't trade away any rare that I have just 1 of. Not everybody wants credits, so that can be kind of hard to do, but I've been fortunate to be able to trade with people who have accepted credits.

Also, since I joined Dis (which was only a week or so after I started playing VMK), I won't trade with anyone not on here. Everyone on here has proven that they can be trusted in a trade, so I feel safe trading here.