I tried 100 offers 1:1 + 100 offers 2:2 ... in 4 days I sold 1 offer.
Then I tried 2 offers 500:500, 1000:1000 ... never 'sold' nothing
Then I tried about 100 offers cheaper than the wholesaler, which sells 100:500 (=1:5), mine where 100:400 (=1:4), 50:200 (=1:4) etc.
Next try was about 100 as fair accepted offers (f.e. 30:31, 42:43 etc.) ... never 'sold' nothing
Now I'm trying about 100 really fair offers (1:1) ... and still not selling nothing.
So I would say forget trading with neighbors or other players, this game doesn't work with neighbors or other players, so trading too doesn't work.
You should build and upgrade 2 - 3 manufactures where you have boost on, so you never need do 'buy' this goods from the wholesaler.
The rest of your needed goods you need to 'buy' (expensive) from the wholesaler, but if you are upgrading your houses and workshops as well, always accompanied by sufficient culture buildings to earn 200%, you will have coins + supplies for buying at the wholesaler.
A real good alternative would be, they told me, to spend about 2 billions of US-$ (or even a little bit more ...) on this beta, so you never will run into troubles like not to have goods ...
Best regards,
Extranjero