Merchant Clans on Runescape

One group of clan that have risen with the introduction of the Grand Exchange are called Merchant Clans.  These are clans which in theory merchant items together for the benefit of everyone.  The reality is far from the truth because most of these clans exist purely to serve the leaders and the players who set the items to merchant.

In theory what should happen is that the clan leaders pick an item and tell everyone to buy this item at the same time for a higher value than what it's actually worth.  Other players in Runescape can't buy this item for its regular price so buy it for its higher price pushing up the value further.  Once the item has risen in value the clans leaders should then tell everyone to sell at the same time ensuring that everyone receives an equal and relative profit.  In reality of course this doesn't happen and most people lose money.  What happens is that the clan leaders buy the item days before everyone stocking up with large amounts.  They tell everyone to buy after they've already bought a lot, and they then sell it before telling everyone else to sell it.  This ensures they make a profit, and all but ensures that everyone else not told what item to buy actually lose money.  It's similar in a sense to a quasi Runescape ponzi scheme where only the first few layers of people at the top make money, and everyone else serves to make them money not themselves money which is obviously how it should be.

If you are interested in making money from Merchanting there are a few tips I can give you that'll definitely help you out.  First tip, find a merchanting partner!  One big problem is that it's hard to buy and sell items quickly for profit because when you buy an item you're never quite sure if you could've bought it cheaper unless you're willing to wait for 30 minutes or so each time you attempt to buy it.  With a friend he can tell you prices to buy and sell for for different items, and you can do the same for him.  It seriously makes things much easier.

One thing's for sure, merchant clans on Runescape are not good for money unless you're at the very top scamming everyone else!