Investments in Trade question

[Marshall Thomas]

Since the demand for sugar, cotton, slaves, and Luxury goods can increase rapidly and to a higher demand capacity- is it economically sound to place merchants in CoTs which trade these goods before demand begins to increase? In other words, is it profitable to invest in them before they become valuable and then later reap the rewards of their increased demand and cost? Historically it's always been profitable to invest in something prior to it's peak. I am sort of hoping that such rules apply to game economics. Can someone please offer me an opinion? Thanks

 

[Thistletooth]

Given the extreme fluidity with which (individual) merchants flow in and out of a CoT, I really don't think it would make much of a difference. Maybe a few ducats, but likely little more.

If you place five merchants into a competitive CoT and don't send "re-enforcements" regularly, they'll probably all be gone in two or three years.

 

[Stonewall]

The best time to send merchants is when a CoT has empty slots. This is especially true of colonial CoT's that are new. Monopolize that CoT quickly befoer everyone learns about it.