Shop & equipment
Probably Stolen buying guide: inspect stock and find the right supplier
Inspect what makes an item valuable before paying: test water, magnify berries and compare appraisal objects with their own guide. Then buy the missing part of a complete production cycle. A cheap item is still a poor purchase if the next bottle, feed, power or bill cannot be funded.
Inspect the part that changes the value
| Purchase | Check first | Why it changes the decision |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Use a test strip or AquaScan. Read tested grade separately from its label. | The seller’s name for the water does not prove its purity or the treatment it needs. |
| BloomBerries | Inspect each bunch with the magnifying glass. | Berry condition changes the ordinary-wine result; a low price does not rescue a poor batch plan. |
| Machines and containers | Open and preview their contents and slots. | UPDATE 049 allows previewing before purchase; complete the battery/input/container plan first. |
| Rare appraisal goods | Use the guide for that specific object and inspect its visible characteristics. | A valuable material or genuine appearance must match the item in front of you. |
| Heat or contraband | Read the actual item information and your buyer’s restrictions. | The purchase price is not the whole risk or eventual sale value. |
Case: the farmer offers several berry bunches, but you have one empty bottle. Inspect and buy enough suitable fruit for that funded batch. Buying every bunch because of a bulk discount leaves money tied in fruit you cannot yet bottle.
Compare with the right object guide
Appraisal is object-specific. Open the corresponding reference and inspect the material and other characteristics it asks you to judge. The official cybernetic-hand example begins at 100 credits, has a stated 50-credit minimum and lists material additions: aluminum alloy +0, carbon composite +50 and gold-plated +200. It is page one of a four-page guide, so material alone is not a complete appraisal.
Do not reuse a hand's value rule for a card or a food item. In the October counterfeit-card discussion, players disagree until comparing lettering size and alignment against a genuine reference. That supports close comparison, not a universal “wrong font” shortcut for every rare item.
For this site's production scope, the useful rule is to avoid paying a rare-item price before completing that object's checks. A complete rare-item catalogue and all appraisal modifiers are outside this guide.
Go to the source for the missing input
| Missing input | Targeted route | Planning limit |
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher, unused filter or testing kit | Household neon sign seller. Dr. Jackson is also a tool source, including UV. | A sign competes for the available customer pool; it is not a guaranteed instant order. |
| Source water | Water neon sign sellers; water trading unlocks broaden the line. | Test the actual bottle rather than trusting every seller’s label. |
| Wine bottles, berries or yeast | Unlocked retired winemaker on Friday; farmer through Wild’s seller referral can supply berries. | Referral is a pool, not a guaranteed farmer. Sunday runner stock carries a markup. |
| Cage, feeder, rats, scanner or meat cleaver | Unlocked retired rancher on Friday. | Fund food, repairs and care along with equipment. |
| Multiple basic stock needs | Scavenger supply can include tools and bottles, with business unlock requirements. | The visit and exact stock are not a guaranteed daily complete shopping list. |
The correct sign can still lose its turn
Display signs replace random customers with sellers; they do not simply add a new seller for every sign. The community display guide explains that signs are checked in a priority order and compete for the available random-customer slots. A busy display can therefore crowd out the supplier you need.
Check the clientele panel and prioritize the seller for your next complete batch. The display guide explains buyer merchandise, competing supplier signs and visitor limits.
Use the supplier calendar for fixed appointments and pooled sources. Before accepting a price, read the negotiation risk and reputation preview. Keep your owned inspection tools accessible with the Toolbox and inventory controls.
Once the missing item is bought, return to the production page and complete the loop. Keep rent and replacement inputs available before buying an unrelated bargain.