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May-29-2005 09:34

Sorry about this but I really need to vent my frustration on this subject and screaming into a pillow hasn't help nor has pulling the hair off my head - it only resulted in a mouth full of feathers and an oddly looking coiffure.

I just can't believe it has to be this hard to get the contacts one wants, and am beginning to wonder if there could be some way of making it easier??

I've currently quit around 50 favours for Non-PE-contacts in Shanghai - 20 in the past 7 days alone, and during those 7 days+ today was the FIRST day, the FIRST in over 7(!!) days, that the townsperson I'm looking for actually said yes to letting me do a favour for her, and what did I get?? Another HAT!!!!
I've been doing plenty of PE-favours as well as favours in others cities, so I just couldn't believe my eyes when she handed me that hat, I really was so sure this was going to be the day, but then again that's what I've been telling myself for days now only to be let down again and again and again.

I think it's okay that if one wants specific contacts, one will have to "suffer" a little bit, but I also think this is bordering on the ridiculous. Getting the necessary PE-contacts in the 3 new cities cost around 1/3 of what I've been quitting to get this one particular non-PE.
I could of course give in, but that would also mean having quit all those favours for nothing as well as a total waste of the exp., agency bonus, and money that I've had to turn my back on.

I'm not sure if a way around this could be created, but am wondering if maybe it would be possible to turn down an offer from a townsperson of becoming one's contact. That way, one would still lose out on the money, but wouldn't be hurting one's agency the way I've been doing when turning down favour offers from townies we've needed for hunt?? - just a suggestion from a desperate player.

May-29-2005 11:13

Well, I now have a question as well.

After the post above was made, I went back, naive as I am, to have another go at it (good thing so many are on vacation this weekend and left me their cases :D ). I quit one and to my utter delight I then get 2 (!!!!) favours in a row for the uncooperative townsperson, and of course she stiffs me both times and just hands over some more stuff that I don't need. I should have known better, but I actually thought 3rd time's a charm.

And then the question starts pressing on. Does quitting favours have a negative effect on whether or not one will be offered a contact on completion of another favour??

The reason why I'm wondering is that, I think I remember reading somewhere that we should be certain of getting our 2nd contact at at least 150,000 exp. But does this apply only to the actual 2nd contact, or does it apply to all the cities, so that one is certain of having gotten f.ex. a 4th contact by 300,000 exp. and so on??

May-29-2005 12:10

Well I currently have three contacts - 2 in London and one in New York and my experience is only 99,360 so I dont think that's the rule. It seems to be a bit of luck really. I got my first contact (Librarian, London) on the second favour of being in the city!

May-29-2005 12:49

I don't think it hurts future chances to quit current favors. Its all very very random.

But I don't understand the point of trying to get certain contacts in each city. In your home town, where you can share cases, yes - then its good for an agency to be balanced. But in visiting cities, each agent is on their own (every case is like a favor that way), so it shouldn't matter whether you have 10 folks with the podiatrist as their PE since they can't share anyway. Or am I missing the point (as usual...)

May-29-2005 12:54

Well it might have something to do with the skill you have. For example, i have the Librarian contact in London (where my agency is based) so i dont really need the handwriting analysis skill. If i went to New York on a tresure hunt, i am at a disadvantage because i dont know if it comes from left or right handed people. I would therefore want to have the Banker as a contact so it wouldnt matter there either.

May-29-2005 12:56

Oh dear - terrible spelling on my part there
That should be 'treasure'
*bows head in shame*

May-29-2005 13:56

i think if your agency HQ moves around then it is useful for the "old regulars" to have a variety of contacts (covering everyone if they can)
i also think the idea of being able to turn down contacts is good as it doesn't hurt your pride as much as having to quit all of those favours!!!

May-29-2005 15:51

It sounds like another Akano. He had like a kadjillion experience points, before he got his 2nd contact in NYC. It is just strange that way. I think we need to drug Ben, to see what the trick really is. I know a lot of people spoken to me about certain theories I have, I tested them and they all seem to be incorrect.

May-29-2005 15:52

I mean theories *they* have. I am still stumped on this one.

May-30-2005 21:37

To add to the confusion, my detective received the second contact in NYC at 6000 exp points. I too have a theory. Based on very little data or experience. Will try it out in another city someday.

May-30-2005 22:16

My understanding of the change that Ben made was that at 150K exp. the likelyhood of your receiving a contact increases. It doesn't matter if it is in a certain city or your 6th contact. I could be wrong...

*heads to gumshoe to search for her thread about Akano, where she belives Ben posted the information....*