I just want to make sure I understand the rules correctly, please let me know if this is wrong or if you came to a different conclusion

1. Group wishes to purchase an item costing 1000 credits, it is listed as rarity 4. They are in the Outer Rim which adds +2 to rarity, bringing it up to 6. According to Table 5-3 (p.150) the cost increase for +2 rarity should be X2 or double? So this item should cost 2000 credits in the Outer Rim?
   
2. Table 5-3 (p.150) says +0-1 rarity increase = x1 cost increase. As a GM if an item was +1 rarity, would you leave the price as is, or charge more like 25-50% more?
   
3. Can someone clarify the ' Black Market Contacts ' talent for me. What does the 2nd part mean: "increasing cost by 50% of the base cost per reduction"?

Other than these 2, does anyone have any tips to add to trading and rarity? I dont really plan on cargo runs but I have made use of the Street Smarts to see if they can find the items they want, based on its rarity.

1) I don't think so. The way I read it you're right until 5-3. That table is for trade, not basic shopping. It says on 151, and gives an example of selling a crate of blasters, and buying a single blaster. Basically Its how they allow you to run a free trader campaign and calculate buy/sell prices without requiring a degree in economics and commodities markets. Its simplified and a little weird, and I don't understand it on a galactic economy level, but there it is.

2)leave as is. But as above, this is a matter of commodities trading, not players buying equipment.

3)It basically allows you to pay more, but makes it easier to find.

So say youre looking for a bootleg palpatine bobblehead that has a base cost/rarity of 100/4 and you have BMC at 1.

The bobblehead for you is 150/3

At BMC 2, it would be 200/2.

Bootleg? i thought they were legitimate Imperial merchandise