Since the new years event, I've been doing a lot more questing. And I've been running into the same couple usershops over and over again, with 100+ of the item I need. It was just something interesting until I ran into this. Note the price, and the average today/overall price you can see in the hover-over. Are people buying up items to monopolize them and artificially drive up the prices?

Has this always been a thing, or is it a newer trend? Is there any good reason to be doing this? What do you guys think about it?

I've noticed an increase in this kind of thing lately, too. Since the new years event. The last time I heard this issue discussed, it was said to be against the rules, but it's also possible there are just some large-stock restockers. I'm not sure what's going on...

I'm fairly certain it's just a mostly failed attempt at artificial inflation. A.I. isn't really going to work unless it's retired or off-season.

These users would be better off saving these for the recycling beast anyway.

There are a few things to take into consideration before assuming any sort of foul play on users parts:

1. Like you, a lot more people than normal are doing their quests because they want New Year Tokens, which obviously increases the demand for items, thus driving the prices up. There's a thread about quests' profitability and item prices here: Saggitarius Quests

2. There have been changes to Library quests in particular lately that are seriously effecting book prices, especially since books are now actually profitable to restock. There's a different thread about it here: Book Prices Worse Than Ever

3. Yes, there are undoubtedly some dedicated restockers whose shops you're noticing, but it's possible some of these people are also getting items through vending and natural hording over the years, and their shops are only just now attracting attention because of the increase in quests being done.

Overall, I'm inclined to believe most user shop prices/quantities are because of some combination of the above reasons, but that's just me. shrugs

Those are all really good points, thanks for sharing! And I agree, they all definitely sound like relevant factors.

Whether or not that's what is going on, it's good to know it wouldn't have lasting effects anyway. Thanks for pointing it out, I'm certainly less worried. :)

You're welcome! I honestly expect prices to drift back down on some items after the tokens are no longer being handed out as quest rewards (though it may take time), but book prices may still fluctuate wildly for a while. :P

Sounds good. In the meantime maybe I'll try RS'ing books to get more in the market? I dunno. :p

If you do try, good luck! There's a lot of competition in that shop right now. :P

when i see a user shop with a million of the same and one bellow with 1 - 2 items, if theyre the same price or very low price difference, i buy from the smaller shop n-n i cant tell which shops are trying to inflate prices or no, so even if this changes nothing, i feel more comfortable buying from the smaller shops o3o

I know the last post was a few days ago, but just wanted to add that we recently cleared the pawn shop. the pawn shop stacks items, like, ridic. this could be part of what you are seeing.

I often have more than 10 copies of some items in my shop. In my case it comes from only activating a Gold Account every few months and then autopricing everything at once.