Where to Sell Your Loot in The Elder Scrolls Online: A Comprehensive Guide
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So, you’ve been adventuring through Tamriel, slaying monsters, and looting everything that isn’t nailed down. Now your inventory is overflowing with gear, potions, and assorted junk. Where do you take all this treasure to turn it into sweet, sweet gold? This guide will walk you through all the options for selling your loot in The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), from humble NPC vendors to the bustling player-run market. Knowing where to sell what can significantly boost your income and help you afford that next upgrade or fancy piece of furniture for your home.
Understanding Your Selling Options in ESO
In ESO, you have several avenues for selling your accumulated goods:
- NPC Merchants: These are the most basic and readily available option. They include general goods merchants, blacksmiths, alchemists, and more. Each type of merchant typically offers better prices on items related to their profession.
- Guild Traders: These are player-run storefronts scattered across Tamriel. They offer the potential for much higher prices than NPC merchants but require joining a guild that owns a trading kiosk.
- Fences (Thieves Guild): If you’ve acquired items through less-than-legal means (stealing), you’ll need to find a Fence. These individuals are members of the Thieves Guild and are the only ones who will purchase stolen goods.
Each option has its pros and cons, and knowing which to use when is key to maximizing your profits. Let’s dive deeper into each of these selling locations.
Selling to NPC Merchants: The Reliable Option
Finding the Right Vendor
NPC merchants are found in almost every town and city in Tamriel. Look for icons on your map representing different types of vendors. Here’s a breakdown of what they typically buy and sell:
- General Goods Merchants: These merchants buy a wide variety of items, including potions, food recipes, and less valuable gear. They are a good all-around option for selling miscellaneous items.
- Blacksmiths: Blacksmiths are interested in weapons, armor, and raw materials like ore and ingots.
- Alchemists: Alchemists will purchase potions, ingredients, and alchemy-related items.
- Clothiers: Clothiers buy clothing, armor (light and medium), and cloth materials.
- Provisioners: Provisioners specialize in food and drink.
Maximizing Your Profit with NPCs
While selling to NPCs is convenient, don’t expect to become rich doing it. Here are a few tips:
- Sell to the right merchant: Blacksmiths will offer more for swords than general goods merchants.
- Use the “Junk” Feature: Mark unwanted items as junk and sell them all at once. To mark items as junk, hover your mouse over the item in your inventory and press the assigned key (usually ‘J’). When you speak to a vendor, you can sell all the items marked as junk by pressing the corresponding button (usually ‘X’).
- Increase your Mercantile skill: The Mercantile skill improves the prices you get from vendors.
Guild Traders: The Player-Driven Marketplace
How Guild Traders Work
Guild Traders are player-run storefronts operated by guilds. To access them, you need to join a guild that has secured a trading kiosk. These kiosks are located in major cities and some smaller settlements throughout Tamriel.
Finding a Guild Trader
- Join a Trading Guild: Look for guilds that advertise themselves as trading guilds. These guilds often have weekly dues and sales requirements.
- Explore Major Cities: High-traffic areas like Wayrest Merchant District or Wayrest Market Square will always have a selection of guild traders, offering a vast assortment of wares.
Pricing Your Items for Sale
Setting the right price is crucial for selling items on guild traders. Research the market using websites like Tamriel Trade Centre (TTC) to see what similar items are selling for. Consider these factors:
- Rarity: Rare or hard-to-obtain items command higher prices.
- Demand: Popular sets, materials, and motifs are always in demand.
- Enchantments/Traits: Items with desirable enchantments or traits will sell for more.
Fences: Dealing with Stolen Goods
Joining the Thieves Guild
If you enjoy a life of crime, joining the Thieves Guild is essential. You can find the Thieves Guild in Riften in the province of the Rift. One of the main benefits is access to Fences, who will buy your stolen items.
Locating Fences
The primary Fence is Tonilia, located in the Ragged Flagon beneath Riften. You’ll also find other Fences scattered throughout Tamriel as you progress through the Thieves Guild questline.
Managing Your Legerdemain Skill Line
The Legerdemain skill line influences your ability to pickpocket, fence stolen goods, and launder items. Invest in skills that increase the amount of gold you can fence each day.
The Importance of Laundering
Laundering a stolen item removes its “stolen” status, making it sellable to regular merchants or through guild traders. However, laundering also consumes your daily fence limit. Use this option wisely for high-value stolen items.
Advanced Selling Strategies
Utilize Add-ons
Several ESO add-ons can streamline your selling process:
- AwesomeGuildStore: Improves the guild store interface for easier buying and selling.
- Master Merchant: Tracks sales data to help you price items competitively.
Farming High-Value Items
Certain activities yield items that sell for a good price:
- Dolmens: Jewelry drops from dolmens can be valuable, especially if they have desirable traits.
- Overland Sets: Some overland sets are highly sought after by players.
- Crafting Materials: Raw materials like ore, wood, and plants are always in demand.
Selling to Other Players Directly
While there isn’t an auction house in ESO, you can directly sell items with other players.
- Zone Chat: Use zone chat in popular areas to advertise your goods.
- Trading Guilds: Be active within your trading guild to network and find buyers.
Conclusion
Selling your loot effectively is a crucial part of the ESO experience. By understanding the different options available, pricing your items strategically, and utilizing helpful tools, you can maximize your profits and fuel your adventures in Tamriel. Whether you prefer the convenience of NPC merchants, the potential of guild traders, or the thrill of selling stolen goods to Fences, there’s a selling strategy to suit your playstyle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where can I sell items I don’t want in ESO?
You can sell unwanted items to NPC merchants, through guild traders, or to fences if the items are stolen. NPC merchants are readily available in towns and cities, guild traders are player-run stores found in major hubs, and fences can be located by joining the Thieves Guild.
2. How do I find the best prices for selling items?
The best prices are usually found on guild traders. Check websites like Tamriel Trade Centre (TTC) to research the average selling price of items on player markets. Adjust your prices based on rarity, demand, and item traits.
3. Can I sell directly to other players?
Yes, you can sell directly to other players by advertising your wares in zone chat or within trading guilds. This method allows you to negotiate prices and potentially get a better deal than selling to NPC merchants.
4. What is the “Junk” feature and how do I use it?
The “Junk” feature allows you to mark unwanted items as junk and sell them all at once to a vendor. To mark items, hover your mouse over the item in your inventory and press the assigned key (usually ‘J’). When you speak to a vendor, you can sell all the items marked as junk by pressing the corresponding button (usually ‘X’). This saves time and effort when clearing out your inventory.
5. How do I join the Thieves Guild?
You can join the Thieves Guild by traveling to Riften and starting the Thieves Guild questline. This will grant you access to Fences, who will buy stolen items.
6. What is a Fence and where can I find one?
A Fence is a member of the Thieves Guild who buys stolen items. The primary Fence, Tonilia, can be found in the Ragged Flagon beneath Riften.
7. What is laundering and when should I do it?
Laundering a stolen item removes its “stolen” status, making it sellable to regular merchants or through guild traders. However, laundering also consumes your daily fence limit. Use this option wisely for high-value stolen items.
8. How do I increase my daily fence limit?
You can increase your daily fence limit by investing points into the Legerdemain skill line, specifically the “Trafficker” skill.
9. Where can I sell my treasures?
Treasure, also known as Contraband items, are items that exist only to be sold in exchange for gold. They are bound to a player’s account and so cannot be traded to other players. Therefore, treasures must be sold to Fences.
10. Are there any add-ons that can help with selling?
Yes, several add-ons can improve your selling experience. AwesomeGuildStore enhances the guild store interface, while Master Merchant tracks sales data to help you price items competitively.
11. What are some good items to farm for selling?
Some good items to farm for selling include jewelry drops from dolmens, valuable overland set pieces, and raw crafting materials.
12. Where is the Wayrest marketplace?
The Wayrest Merchant District or Wayrest Market Square is a marketplace west of the river in Wayrest.
13. Is there an auction house in ESO?
No, there is no traditional auction house in ESO. The primary player-driven market is facilitated through guild traders.
14. Can you sell Elder Scrolls?
You must keep the scrolls for a certain time since they are needed for the Dawnguard main quest. Otherwise, you can sell them off at the College if you have finished Dawnguard portion.
15. What happens if I get caught stealing in ESO?
If you are caught stealing by a guard, you will incur a bounty. Guards may attempt to apprehend you, and if caught, you will be fined and potentially lose stolen items. Bounties can be paid at outlaw refuges.
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