Paperclip traders attempt to trade low-value items for rare or valuable ones.
"Neopets" is a free browser-based virtual pet game in which players care for pets, battle enemies, play games and trade items. The name "Paperclipping" or "Paperclip Trading" comes from the renowned "One Red Paperclip" website, which detailed founder Kyle MacDonald's year-long series of trades beginning with a single red paper clip and culminating in a two-story farmhouse. In the "Neopets" community, paperclip traders are players who adapt MacDonald's model to the virtual economy of Neopia.
Objectives
The primary goal of paperclip trading is for the player to secure a high-value item or large sum of currency for minimal investment. In "Neopets," this generally means beginning the paperclip trade with an item valued at one Neopoint and concluding the process with an item worth many thousands of Neopoints. In the final stages of the process, players may aim to acquire a specific rare or valuable item or sell the final product for a large sum of Neopoints.
Process
Although the length of time required to fully complete a paperclip trade is variable, paperclipping generally requires a long series of trades spanning multiple days. In each trade, the paperclipper attempts to acquire an item higher in value than the one preceding it; however, it may sometimes benefit the trader to make lateral trades for more highly-demanded items of similar or even slightly lower value.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The primary advantage of paperclip trading is the minimal requisite risk and commitment on the part of the trader. Because the only investment the player must make directly is the initial, low-valued "paperclip" item, there is virtually no risk of taking a loss on a paperclip trade. Additionally, players can participate in multiple paperclip trades simultaneously, thereby significantly increasing their odds of successfully acquiring the final objective of the trade. On the other hand, paperclip trading does require players to invest a great deal of time negotiating each step of the trade and often depends upon the generosity of other players.
Paperclip Trading Tips
Large networks of in-game friends and acquaintances are assets to paperclip traders, who depend upon these networks to find trade candidates. Trades can be arranged through the game's shop system, the Trading Post on Mystery Island, on the game's forums or through private messages between players. When arranging trades, consider not only the monetary value of the item, but also the current demand for the item, which is often a more important factor in orchestrating successful paperclip trades.
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