NEOPIAN BAZAAR - The rise and fall in the popular market of food and chocolate
prices has always been high. Someday a bag of nachos for your pet will cost
you a nice simple sum of 50 NP, the next a pocket tearing 700 NP. I was out to
ask a few shopkeepers what they thought of this. I asked many popular shopkeepers,
and here is a copy of the interviews:
Interview One: The Food Shop
I walked in the shop: and had to hold my breath. Neopets and their owners were
milling around the shop like bees around a honeycomb. Cartons of Kau Kau milk
were snatched of shelves, Crispies eagerly ravished by the mob and rare Neggs
gone in a blink-and-you-miss-it scenario.
I pushed my way through the crowd to the main man--the little yellow Chia with
the ever famous apron. I stopped a minute to hold my breath. I raced up to him
and splurged out a question.
"Sir... what do you think (pant) of the (pant) rise and fall of (pant) food
and chocolate prices in (pant) Neopia?"
He stared at me. Then he slowly replied with a long drawl.
"If your not buying anything, I can't help you."
I glanced around. Everything was disappearing FAST. I noticed a pile of Tuna
Subs for 60 NP. I grabbed one and pushed to the front of the queue.
"60 NP please."
"55 NP"
"OK. I accept your offer of 55 NP."
He looked past me to serve the Aisha behind. Within minutes, the shop was empty.
The shelves left only crumbs behind.
"Brrrr." The Chia flopped down on his chair. "The midday rush."
"Well, Sir. Will you answer my question?"
"The rise and fall is to entertain the Neopian population. Without it, everyday
will be the same, prices would fall rapidly and I would have no job to go to."
"If you have any, what tips should a Neopian go about to make sure they only
get rising goods, not falling?"
"Buy cheap items, and lots of them. These will skyrocket in days, months maybe
years, but you are guaranteed they will profit."
"Thank you for your time, Sir"
"It's OK. If you need any more food the shop restocks in about 2 minutes....."
I was outta there faster than a dog to its food bowl.
Interview Two: The Healthy Shop
This shop was quieter, yet still had many piles of Organic Fruits and Vegetables
on the shelves. A few Neopians glanced at the shelves and purchased the occasional
item, but the piles were not receding as fast as in the Food Shop. I saw a cute
green Quiggle with a "veg" badge pinned to his chest (does that hurt??).
I bought some Vegan Cheese while talking to him.
"78 NP please."
"50 NP."
"OK. I accept your offer of 50 NP."
I'd saved 18 NP in one haggle. I felt sorry for the Quiggle I smiled at him
and asked him if he wanted me to ask him questions, and if he didn't, I would
go away. He said yes. Success!
"Sir, what do you think of the rise and fall of the food and chocolate prices
in Neopia?"
"I am quite disgusted with it, myself. I lose many a customer to the food shop
because you can make more of a profit from his sales."
"Why don't you lower your prices?"
"I try. I gave you some cheap Vegan Cheese, did I not? It's hard work and Neopians
are so fond of the junk food."
"Sooo... if you have any tips to the average Neopian to avoid NP loss, what
are they?"
"Buy items which you think will rocket in price, not what the rumours say.
The rumours are often wrong, and made up so you loose lots of NP."
"Thank you for your time, Mr Quiggle Good Luck in future sales."
"Thank you. Bye"
I left, slightly wiser than before I came in. Only one more interview to go...
Interview Three: The Bakery
A small shop, minute compared to the other two. A friendly Kacheek had a friendly
apron on. "The Bread Master". He had a lot of customers, not as many as The
Food Shop, but many more than the Health Shop. I thought he looked busy, but
I would try to ask him my question.
"Sir, what do you think of the rise and fall of the food and chocolate prices
in Neopia?"
"They are funny, they teach young Neopets how to live when they are older,
and they increase profits for me!"
I didn't know how he heard me. I seemed to have been pushed behind a few Neopets
and I could only just see his head, floating near a checkout. I had a short
bout of rage and pushed through, clutching a sugar Doughnut.
"67 NP Please."
"60 NP."
"Sure thing. Any more questions?"
"Yep. How do you think Neopets and their owners benefit from having unsteady
prices and worries about their financial future?"
"The minute you have something worth over 1,000 NP, or higher than its original
worth, sell straight away."
"Do you sell anything over 1,000 NP in worth?"
"Yes, we sell toast, they are rare at the moment."
"So you believe that the rise and fall of prices is good?"
"Almost certainly."
"Thank you for your time, have a nice day."
"Bye."
So, now your thinking, what did I learn from reading your article? Well you
learned that prices rise and fall to keep you interested, they rise and fall
for richer and for poorer and they rise and fall for your benefit only. I would
like to thank The Food Shop, The Health Food Shop and The Bakery to make this
whole think possible. I also enjoyed the journey, and hope to bring you more
exciting news soon. | 
