[Basic] [SE] I thouht I understand the Commercial Transactions mechanics . . .

[vicky_molokh]

Greetings, all!

For a long time, I thought I understand how reaction-based and Merchant-based price adjustments work in GURPS. It seems I don't. I did figure how to use the gradual haggling rules in Social Engineering (except the vagueness about just how radical can the starting ideal price named by the PC be).

However, I'm much more puzzled by the handling as per Basic Set:
On one hand, there's the -1 to reaction rolls for every 10% shift the PCs are offering. On the other, there's the Commercial Transactions entry of Reaction Roll Results, which indicates what the merchant offers and accepts. And finally there's the Merchant skill, which seems to not be affected by Reaction Modifiers at all, and makes adjustment relative to the fair price, which is not the same as offered/accepted price of the NPCs.

I'm finding the instructions in Basic Set somewhat confusing, so I'm hoping for a fresh look at a different wording of this algorithm. Anyone got a clear picture?

Thanks in advance!