An Interview With Neopia's Largest Shop Owner!

      Question: When did you first make your shop? When did you start using it as a regular source of income?

     5tar: I first created my shop in Y9 and immediately started stocking up with a wide variety of items to see which items were selling. Once I noticed which items were selling more frequently, I focused on those items to maximize my profits.

     Question: How often do you stock your shop and how long does it take to price it? Do you reprice items often to make sure you're the lowest?

     5tar: I like to stock my shop at least once a week. It doesn’t take long to price as long as I don’t get Super Shop Wizard banned too early. Super Shop Wizard is a premium feature that really helps price my shop as it saves a lot of clicks. Keeping it maintained regularly is the best way to minimize backlog. The items I reprice to be the lowest are all my non-category mall stock to avoid competition with my fellow mallers.

      Question: Where do you get the items to restock your shop? Do you stock everything or specialize in certain item types?

     5tar: I buy all my items using the Shop Wizard or Super Shop Wizard. Being in a Main Market Mall, we all have different categories that we stock. In my shop, I stock Paint Brushes, Morphing Potions, and Transmogrification Potions. I also have other items in my shop but in smaller quantities and I price them to sell as to avoid conflict with fellow mallers.

      Question: Getting shoppers in the door is always a challenge. Do you advertise your shop?

     5tar: I have my shop banner listed on the front page of the Notice Board. Mall banners and shop banners being listed in the main marketplace also bring foot traffic to my shop. Other members of my mall also have the same banner advertised so we help each other advertise our shops as a group.

      Question: You have a huge shop! How much does it cost every time you make your shop bigger?

     5tar: Right now, at shop size 5005, the next single shop size upgrade will cost me 1,001,000 nps. A lot of Neopoints - but I find malling worth it and fun!

     Question: How much profit does your shop make per day?

     5tar: Average, I would say 300k profit per day. There is some variation when site events

     cause specific items to be in demand.

      Question: Do you have any tips for users looking to use their shop as a way to generate revenue?

     5tar: Creating Neggs at the Neggery, and selling those Neggs in your shop for a profit is a great way to generate some NPs. Certain Neggs that increase pets' Battledome statistics typically are a profit to sell in shop that you can get by redeeming Negg for them. Go through what you already have in your safety deposit box. You’ll be surprised how all those items can add up really quickly to your net worth when you start selling them in your shop. Values of site event prizes and retired items also typically increase over time, so some stuff that you had tucked away in your safety deposit box in the past may be worth a lot more now!

      Question: How does it feel to have the biggest shop size on Neopets? How do you even know you have the record anyway?

     5tar: On the main marketplace, there’s a hut system showing all the biggest shops in Neopia.

     For example, Hut 10 shows the biggest 10 shop size in Neopia. Being the biggest shop in Neopets has been a long goal of mine. The passion started around Y9, but I remember admiring the big mallers further back in Y3. It’s a good feeling when you accomplish a difficult goal - which I accomplished in Y24 - so I guess I feel proud.

      Question: According to Jellyneo’s shop price calculator, you spent 2.5 billion NP upgrading your shop. Any regrets?

     5tar: No regrets, my next goal is to upgrade to shop size 5555, which requires a further 580m+ Neopoints. It’s a long way to go but the time will come =)

      Question: What got you so interested in upgrading your shop in the first place?

     5tar: Being in the right hut at the main marketplace is very important to increase foot traffic. Some huts are positioned better than others which requires upgrading if you want your shop to be in that hut. Over the years I’ve experienced different huts, and with that, the interest in upgrading started. Increasing shop size allows me to have more shop stock which leads to more profits!

      Question: You've mentioned being in a Mall a few times. What is it about being a Mall owner that you’re passionate about?

     5tar: I love the idea of creating something from nothing. I couldn’t have created the mall if it wasn’t for my best neo friend Brandon, who helped so much bring my ideas to life and being a huge part of establishing Merchant Plus main market mall. Creating the mall helped me meet more people on Neopets who are some of my good friends now as well!

      Question: Do you have advice for other Neopians who are interested in upgrading their shops?

     5tar: Of course! Don’t spend all your NPs upgrading your shop size in one go. Put some NPs aside so you can stock up your shop to make a profit. No point having a large empty shop! Upgrade slowly as you build more capital is a better strategy.

      Thanks for all that insight! Now we have some non-shop related questions so our readers can get to know you a little better.

     Question: What are your favourite hobbies on the site that aren't related to your shop?

     5tar: I enjoy hanging out at the trading chat board. Buying, selling and trading unbuyable items. I also enjoy lurking at the auction house. Every now and then you’ll come across an item worth buying. It is also fun to try and compete with others to win a really cheap auction!

      Question: What is your favourite event on the site?

     5tar: Charity Corner. Bring back r99 Charity Corner!! It's a fun event that all Neopians can participate in and will help many users get their dream stamp avatars/items!

      Question: What is your favourite game on the site?

     5tar: I’m not much of a gamer, but I used to play a lot of Meerca Chase back in Y3.

     A big thank you to 5tar for taking the time to answer all those questions for us. We hope you learned a lot about a fellow Neopian and the dos and don’ts of running a shop in Neopia. Don't forget to be nice to your fellow users since we can all learn from each other!