Neopian Musings

by leslie_83

Here you can find my opinions and expert advice on shops, the pound, and Chias.

I. Shops Owned by the Owners of Neopia!

It's very good to have a shop. Remember that mystical codestone you found on the floor? If you're not interested in the Battledome, it means 3,500 NP or more via your shop. The healing potions that you get at the Healing Springs, the battlecards you win at Cheat, and the bargain Faerie you found at the Garage Sale are all worth a lot-if you don't want your pet to fight in the Battledome. All of these things are helpful if you want to battle, but otherwise they're only useful in a shop.

How to get a shop? Well, in Neopia Central (the Rainbow Pool, the Book Shop, the Spy Kids Theatre, etc.) there's a toolbar with links to things such as Your Items. Next to the Your Items link is the Your Shop link. Click it and choose Create/Edit a shop from the choices.

If you use the Shop Wizard frequently, you've probably seen the shops with fancy backgrounds, coloured text, links, images, and the like. To get a good shop all you need is a quick description. It's not as if people will bookmark your shop and visit it periodically to see if by any chance you have something they want. You can even skip the description altogether.

I was reluctant to get a shop at first because I didn't want the pressure to restock. That's ridiculous. As I said, it's not as if people will visit your shop periodically to see if by any chance you have something they want, as with the main shops. The only time people will visit your shop is if it comes up top in the Shop Wizard or if they'd promised to visit it. Get a shop. If it's empty most of the time, no one will know but you.

How to price the stuff in your shop? Just look at the Shop Wizard. It's the blue tent on the Neopia Central toolbar. The Shop Wizard is a search engine that finds the best prices on whatever item you're looking for. Be sure to refresh the page several times before accepting that 50 NP potion as cheap-it may be selling for 25 NP elsewhere! And if people would stop pricing bitten apples at 25 NP I would be a lot happier.

The reasons shops can make you a lot of money is that people will pay a lot for the things you find lying around as random events: codestones, treasure map pieces, faeries, and so on. Take advantage of the fact that other people want this junk! Get yourself a shop!

II. The Neopian Pound

If you really don't want your pet, you can abandon him or her at the Neopian Pound. Other people who want pets can come to the Pound and pick them up. But why would anyone disown their pet?

Leaving NeoPets. Understandable, although you could give your account to someone else. Tired of pet. You're despicable. Pet is unhealthy. Ever heard of the Healing Springs? Accidentally created pet. Whoops-be more careful next time!

If you have a legitimate reason for getting rid of your pet, and you really care about it, then you can ensure him or her a home very easily. Buy a Christmas Paint Brush. They're cheaper than most brushes and many pets come in Christmas. Paint the pet you are going to abandon. Painted pets are adopted quickly, so painting your pet assures you that it will get to a good home. You see, people who would abandon one of their pets to get a painted pet aren't quick enough to get one!

If you want another pet, please adopt one from the pound unless you really want a particular type. There aren't many Lennys in the Pound, for example. If you get a painted pet, a pet with a PetPet, or a pet with a very high level, congrats! But if not, so what?

It's not a crime to create a pet. Most people start off with a created pet. The point is, if you want another pet just because you like having pets, get one from the pound! They're great!

III. Chias

You all know what Chias are, right? Those pets that look like shapeless mounds with small bumps of limbs and a slash of hair on the top. Many people like Chias, I realise. However, these are one of those pets that you either like or don't. Some people exaggerate the awfulness and badness of Chias. I will here present my own personal opinion on Chias and some advice for Chia owners.

I'm sure we've all seen Chias. They're everywhere-on the Weather page, in the Stock Market, in Chia Bingo, in Gormball, all over NeoPets. Chias used to have a tolerable if slightly stupid look, but now I think they're not very nice. I can see how some people think they're cute, but those lips-ugh!

If you want a Chia, be sure to consider the alternatives, I say. Like Lupes. I have two Lupes (not in the same account) and know for a fact that Lupes hate Chias. I don't have any Chias, and advise all Chia owners not to get a Lupe.

You've probably seen Chia Pops-those tubes of ice slush that are very hard to describe. Use caution when feeding your Chia a Chia Pop. Just to be safe, don't feed him or her one at all! So far Pear, Pineapple, and Aborigine Chia Pops will transform your pet into a half-fruit Chia! Make sure you check the Rainbow Pool to see if you'll like your Chia's new look before feeding it a Chia Pop.

Most of all, whatever you do, whichever pets you have, be sure to have fun on NeoPets! This has been Neopian Musings, by Leslie. ^_^