[mefdinkins]

Market manipulation only works to a degree.

Patience and posting on the forums, checking EC, and checking the auction sites is prob enough to protect you.

TStaff is an example of crazy price jumps. There was speculation price would rocket when triple attack is patched in for monks. If TStaff is the BIS tradeable DPS weapon for monks then it will certainly jump in price to a degree. However, when I saw people asking 50k I tried selling for 50k for 2 months b/c it wasn't worth 50k to me. No one bit. When I finally included it in a trade it was valued below 50k. Later, when I farmed up some more money I was ready to buy for 37-39k and lo and behold, no one would sell to me. It wasn't until I started getting closer 40-43k that people would bite. So yeah things probably valued around 42-46 now a days but take your time if you want to buy or sell an item like that.

So yes, maybe some people manipulate the market but take your time in EC, check the forums, post in the forums, ask your guild. If no one is biting your price is off. If you have 100 offers immediately you're probably selling too low or offering too much. In the end it's just a game and you prob don't need a PHD in economics to make sure you're not getting ripped off.