Command : BUY

Expert

[##:##] buy <ITEM> <LOT#> <BID/UNIT> <DEST>

The buy command allows nations to purchase commodities on the open market. Not all commodities can be traded -- notably civilians and military.

It is based on a bidding system, and after the bidding time has passed, the transactions are executed, and the highest bidder gets the goods (maybe.) If there are no bidders once the time passes, the goods stay on the market and the first bidder will get them.

Typical output looks like:
[##:##] buy food


     Empire Market Report
   Wed Mar 13 14:26:26 1996
 lot  high bid  by  time left  owner  item  amount  sector
 ---  --------  --  ---------  -----  ----  ------  ------
   0  $  10.00   1   0.00 hrs  (  1)   f        10  
   1  $   1.00   1   0.00 hrs  (  1)   f        10  

Looks just like Christmas at K-mart, doesn't it!

Which lot are you bidding on: 1
WARNING!  This market issues credit.  If you make more
  bids than your treasury can cover at the time of sale,
  you can potentially go into financial ruin, and see no
  gains.  You have been warned.

How much per unit: 2
destination sector : 3,1
Your bid is being considered.

In addition, the destination sector must be a warehouse or harbor, and must be greater than 60% efficient to receive commodities.

See also : reset , sell , market , Market