Merchants are not good warriors. But they have skills that allow them to buy
stuff from NPCs cheaper, and sell it for more. They also can set up REAL
shops.

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Becoming Merchant
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You'll have a bit of an easier time as a Novice Merchant than other class. In
fact, you should design him much like a Swordsman, in terms of equipment.
Unfortunantly, you need 1000 zeny to change to a Merchant. The amount of money you make as a Novice will vary depending on where you are, so its best just to earn 1000 zeny before spending any of it (And never let your zeny drop below 1000, of course).

A Guard should be first on your shopping list, but I'd save
for a Blade after that and upgrade it. Once your job level 10, go to Alberta
if you aren't already. Go into the building on the lower left part of town,
and talk to the NPC there. He will charge you 1000 zeny, and give you a task
- to deliver a box to a fellow guildsmen. He will give you the box and
directions, so go deliver it and return here. You will be made a Merchant
then.

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Merchant Types
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Vending - This Merchant uses the Vending skill to sell stuff to players out and
about. I recommend everyone has one of these to sell the various rare items
you pick up in the game. Access to a discount Merchant is nice as well so you
can sell Red Potions for 39 or 40z. Everyone eats these up. The money for
vending merchants can be slow at times, but you don't need to do much work to
get it.

Overcharge - Good with math? Than go with an overcharge Merchant. They pay
for people's items and sell them back to NPCs for more. They make pretty good
money due to the fact very few Merchants overcharge than 10%. Which means you get 14% of the pie. However, you need to be fast to add up ALL those items
people give you as well as figuring out the return rate for each item.
Calculator required.

Discount - You sit in weapon shops selling armor/weapons to people at around
15 to 20%. Basically, if everyone in the shop is giving a 15% discount, give
yours for 15% as well. If everyone is giving 20%, you give 20%. You can make
some good money this way, but it can be dull so have a TV next to your PC so
you can kill time waiting for customers ^_^. You also have to deal with a lot
of jerks, just like any other retail store.

Forging - A type not really dependent on skills, but stats. Forging Merchants
want a lot of DEX and LUK, if your really serious about it. Vending and
Pushcart should be on your list to max, to vend off all your stuff.

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Merchant's Skill
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Increase Weight Limit
Pre-Requisites: None
Active or Passive?: Passive
SP Use: None

Level 1 : +100
Level 2 : +200
Level 3 : +300
Level 4 : +400
Level 5 : +500
Level 6 : +600
Level 7 : +700
Level 8 : +800
Level 9 : +900
Level 10: +1000

Comments: Not a very useful skill, as you rarely go over your weight limit
unless your rich enough to power level. If you do, thats what pushcarts and
storage are for.

PushCart
Pre-Requisites: Increase Weight Limit Level 5
Active or Passive?: Passive
SP Use: None

Level 1 : 55% Walking Speed
Level 2 : 60% Walking Speed
Level 3 : 65% Walking Speed
Level 4 : 70% Walking Speed
Level 5 : 75% Walking Speed
Level 6 : 80% Walking Speed
Level 7 : 85% Walking Speed
Level 8 : 90% Walking Speed
Level 9 : 95% Walking Speed
Level 10: 100% Walking Speed

Comments: Essential for vending, as you can't make a shop without it. It does lower your walking speed, but greatly increases your weight limit, so keep that in mind. Buy a Pushcart from a pushcart merchant for these prices.

Geffen : 1100z
Moroc : 900z
Prontera: 800z - Make the trip to Izlude, save 200z.
Izlude : 600z
Payon : 500z
Alberta : 300z

Item Appraisal
Pre-Requisites: None
Active or Passive?: Active
SP Use: 15 SP

Level 1 : Identifies Items

Comments: A decent skill, only for the reason there aren't many better Merchant skills.

Discount
Pre-Requisites: Increase Weight Limit Level 3
Active or Passive?: Passive
SP Use: None

Level 1 : 7% Discount
Level 2 : 9% Discount
Level 3 : 11% Discount
Level 4 : 13% Discount
Level 5 : 15% Discount
Level 6 : 17% Discount
Level 7 : 19% Discount
Level 8 : 21% Discount
Level 9 : 23% Discount
Level 10: 24% Discount (Why didn't they just make it 25%?)

Comments: Obviously Essential for a Discount Merchant, as it allows you to buy items cheaper.

Overcharge
Pre-Requisites: Discount Level 3
Active or Passive?: Passive
SP Use: None

Level 1 : 7% Overcharge
Level 2 : 9% Overcharge
Level 3 : 11% Overcharge
Level 4 : 13% Overcharge
Level 5 : 15% Overcharge
Level 6 : 17% Overcharge
Level 7 : 19% Overcharge
Level 8 : 21% Overcharge
Level 9 : 23% Overcharge
Level 10: 24% Overcharge

Comments: The same as Discount, but now you can sell items to NPCs for greater prices. Obviously essential for an Overcharge Merchant.

Vending
Pre-Requisites: Pushcart Level 3
Active or Passive?: Active
SP Use: 30 SP

Level 1 : Can sell 3 items at a time
Level 2 : Can sell 4 items at a time
Level 3 : Can sell 5 items at a time
Level 4 : Can sell 6 items at a time
Level 5 : Can sell 7 items at a time
Level 6 : Can sell 8 items at a time
Level 7 : Can sell 9 items at a time
Level 8 : Can sell 10 items at a time
Level 9 : Can sell 11 items at a time
Level 10: Can sell 12 items at a time

Comments: The Vending Merchant's skill. Most people will be fine with Level
1. When it says 3 items at a time, that means 3 different items. So you
could sell 10 red potions, 10 animal blood, and 10 aloes if you wanted.
Pushcart is needed to open a store. -The Game- also pointed out to me that
each piece of equipment is seperate, so you could only sell 3 Hats with level
1 vending.

Mammonite
Pre-Requisites: None
Active or Passive?: Active
SP Use: 5 SP

Level 1 : 150% Damage, 100z per use
Level 2 : 200% Damage, 200z per use
Level 3 : 250% Damage, 300z per use
Level 4 : 300% Damage, 400z per use
Level 5 : 350% Damage, 500z per use
Level 6 : 400% Damage, 600z per use
Level 7 : 450% Damage, 700z per use
Level 8 : 500% Damage, 800z per use
Level 9 : 550% Damage, 900z per use
Level 10: 600% Damage, 1000z per use

Comments: If your freakin rich, you can use this skill. It's very cheap SP
wise, and hurts a hell of a lot. In fact, if you have a ton of money, this
could make you better than a Swordsman. Most shouldn't bother with it though, unless you intend to take your Merchant all the way.