Trading

Trading is a core component of the game.

Having lots of Energy Credits (EC) is typically interesting for players in trading.

But EC is important for research and upkeep of buildings and ships so everyone needs them.

Trading Posts
Neutral Trading Posts are NPCs with high prices to buy and low prices to sell.

The other Trading Posts are in sectors controlled by players with "real market" prices.

Caravans
To buy or sell resources on a Trading Post a caravan is needed.

The game starts with 3 but more will be available by progressing.

Caravans have a volume which is the maximum amount of resources they can carry.

Placing an (big) Order
With "Create Order" a trade can be performed.

Afterwards a caravan must be selected to execute it. (not cancel able)

If the volume of the order exceeds the volume of the caravan the caravan will travel multiple times.

A caravan which is already performing an order may be selected again.

Depending on the distance a small fee must be paid (the far the greater the fee - but still small)

Distance and Trading Losses
Distance to a Trading Post will diminish the traded resources (the far the greater the loss)

When searching for resources via "by Resource" the trading losses are taken into account.

Order Limit
A maximum of 25 buy orders can be placed at the same time.

NOTE: there is a bug which prevents creating sell orders when the limit of buy orders is reached.

Estimated Time
The time a caravan needs to travel to a Trading Post is estimated by the game.

Over longer distances the estimated time is far below the reality.

Limitations
One time a day up to 3 resources can be automatically traded.

All auto trades for this day must be performed at once.

Taxes must be paid like at trading with a neutral Trading Post.

There are rules which may prevent auto buy or auto sell.

Benefits
No caravans needed.

The sell price is 1.5x the price a NPC Trading Post would pay.

The buy price is 5/6 of the NPC Trading Post.

This is especially useful to sell Food, Electricity, Minerals and Supplies which are not needed.

And to get resources which are not on the market for a little better price (i.e. Metal)

A Guide for big profits by Auto Trade & Station Jump
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ohM9Hch21fYOdqAX8OmPddH6_c1jjchgbwf7s5T1zEY/edit?usp=sharing

Tips for Starters

 * use Auto Trade to sell of basic resources (Food, Electricity, Minerals)  Supplies work too but be careful your ships needs supplies    Check the rules of Auto Trade (you need a positive resource income and a good stock of the resource to auto sell)


 * Don't spend all on trades  EC are necessary for research


 * Scan the market for good prices  Some resources are below Auto Trade value available (i.e. Food at 1 - 1.2 EC)