Laboratory inflation?

[Hikari]

It's been atleast a month since I originally intended to purchase a lab map for my main account, but I've been holding off in an attempt to save for several artifacts. After my first Royal PB, I started to wonder if I should just hurry up and buy the map pieces -- before they jump even higher. When I was first interested I know they were around 400k for all nine, is this the case now?.

Is it safe for me to wrangle up another 1 mil -- say that's a month or two-- so I can purchase the PB and the map? Or by then will you suspect the price will be even higher than it is now?.

The only reason I want it is to lab my eyrie until I can save up yet another something-mil to morph him into a Plushie Draik. I figured by then, I could have a shot at gaining some pet-related avatars.

[Officer 1BDI]

The average lab map piece is around 50k, so I'd guess the price has jumped a little (I've only been around for 3 months). I've seen people trying to sell them for as high as 80k, though.

It took me a month to save up for the lab ray, and I didn't notice any significant price change, so I think you'll be fine.

Last edited by Officer 1BDI on Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[shapu]

I would suggest buying the map first, and waiting on the brush. Since the brush's price is pretty much static, the thing that you think will increase in price should be your focus.

[_jade_em_]

I'd say buy the map as soon as possible o_o; The prices go up very fast. The first time I bought it it was about 150-200k I think, but my second set cost almost 500k x.x

[Fiddelysquat]

Wow. Mine (I have two) were so much cheaper when I bought them! Around 200k apiece, I believe.

I can't believe how much the price has spiked!

[Trick]

The lab ray map isn't actually inflating anymore (at least not at a noticable rate), it's just normal price fluctuation. I can't remember when I got my first lab, over a year ago anyway and the price then was around 400k. By the time I got my second one it was closer to 500k, and for my third one it was back down again.

Basically each piece of the lab map can fluctuate by around 10k, inlcuding the one bit that is more expensive. Lots of things effect the prices, wars, expected wars, wars that don't materialise... well just wars mostly x)

So yeah I wouldn't worry too much about the lab map, it's not going to shoot up spectacularly unless there is a confirmed war - if that happens it can go up to over 700k. I would recommend though buying all your pieces seperately when you buy it as that saves a *lot* of cash.

[kuroro]

Wow. Mine (I have two) were so much cheaper when I bought them! Around 200k apiece, I believe.

I can't believe how much the price has spiked!

Same here. But I didn't look at the prices when I started playing neopets again (some months ago). (Had one already.. from way back.)

[stampsyne]

The price is down a bit from the last war, but will go up again with the next. Buy each as cheaply as possible, even if it takes you a few weeks. Avoid those who sell all at once at infated prices.

Remember that some pieces are rarer than others.

Nastalgia: Bought my first complete map for less than 100K

[Nefasturris]

I remember buying my lab map for 66K WAY back when. Ah, those were the days. When stone pets roamed Neopia and a paint brush costed 150K at the most... Memories

The price slowly goes up, so unless TNT does something that makes people want the Lab Map more (IE: New Avatar, they let you get some of the more expensive colors you can't get now, etc) you should be fine saving up.

[WIS]

I bought my first lab for 450k.

I'm saving up for a second lab right now... I hope it didn't spike too much.

[Daze]

Just a point of interest - the Lab Ray actually offers more now then it did when it first was released.

I don't know exactly what the original specs for the Lab Ray were, but TNT have definately added to the colour range that the Lab offers, including colours that are only obtainable by the Lab.

As well as, the Lab now offers users a chance of getting avatar pet colours which may not have possible due to the price in Paintbrushes.

I mean, how many people now rely on the Lab Ray to give them the avatar pet?

Once it may have just been a cheap way for battler's to get good increases in their Pet's stats, then all the new Paintbrushes made user's want to get that "ultimate" paint job. Now, it is getting that elusive Avatar Pet.

So in this regard, the Lab Ray Map has increased it's value to the consumer.

I paid about 500,000 two years ago and in that time I have seen new paintbrushes (these colours also being offered by the Lab), the Lab offering unique paint jobs and the rise of avatars.

All in all, the Lab Map prices have remained fairly constant (in the last couple of years) for an ever-increasing bag of tricks.

[Pudding]

Definitely get the map first. The paintbrush will be there when you get done buying your map. Be sure to look for deals and be willing to hold out for a good price.

As for me: a gift, 50k, and 75k. I miss the good old days.

[theonlysaneone]

I remember getting mine for 250K a few years back. My brother wants to get one now, but the price is SO HIGH! However, I think the Lab Map should be the first goal for any Neopets player. Items can come and go, but the Laboratory stays forever, and is always fun to use.

[JhasNeeh]

Ah, the great days of the Map costing me 45K and 4 figure PBs - hang on, where'd that gray hair come from?