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Hoots : The seller or the trader I'm having difficulty choosing the seller or the trader when describing a character. He is selling things at a flea market and I personally prefer the seller, the sound of it. As English is not - freshhoot.com

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The seller or the trader
I'm having difficulty choosing the seller or the trader when describing a character.

He is selling things at a flea market and I personally prefer the seller, the sound of it.

As English is not my first language I wonder if the trader would be more appropriate?


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Here is what I personally think the difference is between a "seller" and a "trader".

A seller sells goods for money. Such a person would almost certainly reject an offer to obtain goods in return for two chickens. Provide money (cash or credit) or go away.

A trader, on the other hand, would consider the offer and accept or reject it on the basis of whether someone else in the trader's circle of acquaintances might be willing, in turn, to trade something of value for the chickens.

The mind set of these two individuals is quite different.

A seller, in general, will focus on process to maximize the return on each transaction and to minimize the risks of operation. The seller seeks to minimize variability.

A trader, again in general, will focus on the ratio of risk and reward and will be willing to suspend adherence to process to gain an immediate gain. The trader accepts variability and often seeks to understand how that variability can be gamed to their advantage.

Only you can tell if this distinction is important to your story.


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