- Probably Stolen junk is your core income source: dig scrap in the lower levels, then sell it back upstairs.
- Always inspect merchandise first — cigarettes get checked, water gets filtered, medicine gets verified.
- Invest in machines — hydroponics and chemistry sets turn raw junk into high-value goods.
- Use hidden compartments before every security inspection to keep illegal stock off the shelves.
- Diversify your buyers — security pays for weapons, revolutionaries pay for supplies.
Junk Trading Basics: The Scrap Economy
In Probably Stolen, junk isn't garbage — it's inventory. You dig through scrap in the lower levels, haul it back to your shop, and sell it to the very people who lost it. The announcement trailer frames the entire loop: everyone needs something, and everyone lies about why.
Video Highlights:
- Scrap digging in the lower levels is the starting point of your supply chain
- Inspection mechanics: cigarettes get inspected, water gets filtered (or not)
- Hidden compartments protect illegal goods during security raids
- Production equipment converts raw junk into valuable merchandise
- You choose whether to report suspicious customers — or serve them
Morality is a luxury item down here. You don't run a charity — you run a shop, and the rent's always due. Every junk decision should be measured in profit and risk, not ethics.
Inspection & Quality Control
Not all junk is worth stocking. The trailer is explicit: "You'll learn to check the merchandise first." Cutting corners on inspection saves time but tanks your reputation and invites trouble.
| Junk Type | Inspection Method | Risk If Skipped | Profit Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cigarettes | Full inspection required | Selling fakes angers customers | ★★★★ |
| Water | Filter before sale (or don't) | Health complaints, attention from security | ★★ |
| Medicine | Verify authenticity | Selling "something close enough" is dangerous | ★★★★★ |
| Raw scrap | Sort by material grade | Low resale value, wasted shelf space | ★★ |
| Weapons | Check serials and condition | Illegal stock exposed during raids | ★★★★★ |
"Some days I sell medicine. Some days I sell something close enough." This works short-term, but fake medicine is the fastest way to draw unwanted scrutiny to your shop. Weigh the payout against the heat.
Turning Junk Into Value: Production Investments
Raw junk sells cheap. Processed junk sells rich. Investing in the right equipment is how you scale from a scrap stall into a real operation.
Hydroponic Farms
- Grow high-demand goods people pay for
- Steady, renewable income stream
- Low legal risk
Chemistry Sets
- Convert ingredients into very profitable products
- High margin per unit
- Output may attract inspections
Hidden Compartments
- Store illegal stock off the shelves
- Essential for surviving security sweeps
- Keep legit goods visible up front
| Equipment | Upfront Cost Tier | Revenue Style | Legal Exposure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydroponics | Medium | Recurring, passive | Low |
| Chemistry set | High | Burst, high margin | Medium |
| Hidden compartments | Medium | Loss prevention | None (protective) |
| Extra shelving | Low | Volume sales | None |
Start with shelving and one hidden compartment, then add hydroponics for steady cash, and only invest in chemistry once you can reliably shield the output from inspections.
Handling Security Raids & Wanted Customers
Security likes to run inspections. When they walk through your door, everything must look perfectly legitimate. Meanwhile, nervous customers with familiar faces on wanted posters force a choice: report them, serve them, or let security take them away.
Spot the Warning Signs
Watch for nervous behavior and faces that match wanted posters. Deciding early whether a customer is an asset or a liability keeps you ahead of the situation.
Stash Illegal Stock
The moment security is suspected, move contraband into hidden compartments. Legit inventory stays visible — the front must look clean.
Decide on the Customer
Reporting a wanted customer earns goodwill with security; serving them earns money and underworld connections. Neither option is free.
Resume Business
After the raid passes, restock, rebalance prices, and keep rent money flowing. The cycle never stops.
Selling weapons to security and supplies to revolutionaries is profitable, but every faction transaction leaves a trail. Balance your client list so neither side sees you as an enemy.
Negotiating With Suppliers & Customers
Suppliers inflate their prices. Customers play dumb. Some try to cheat you — most don't. Your margin lives or dies in the negotiation.
| Counterparty | Common Tactic | Your Best Response |
|---|---|---|
| Suppliers | Inflated asking prices | Know your junk values; counter with material-grade pricing |
| Ordinary customers | Playing dumb on value | Anchor the price yourself before they lowball |
| Cheaters | Short payment, fake goods | Inspect everything, verify payment method |
| Faction buyers | Urgency premiums | Charge extra for discretion and speed |
| Wanted faces | Nervous, rushed purchases | Decide: report, serve, or walk away |
The best margins come from goods the upper levels are too proud to buy in daylight. Discretion is your real product — price it accordingly.
Junk Trader Checklist
Shop Milestones:
- Establish a reliable scrap supply run to the lower levels
- Inspect every shipment of cigarettes, water, and medicine before stocking
- Install at least one hidden compartment for illegal goods
- Build a hydroponic farm for recurring income
- Survive three security inspections without losing stock
- Maintain buyers on both security and revolutionary sides
Every milestone above compounds: clean inspections protect your stock, steady production covers rent, and a balanced client list keeps every door open. Junk in, profit out — that's the whole game.
FAQ
Q: What is the best way to get started with junk in Probably Stolen?
Dig through scrap in the lower levels and sell it back in your shop. Start with low-risk goods like raw scrap and filtered water, then reinvest profits into inspection discipline and hidden compartments before touching illegal merchandise.
Q: Can I skip inspecting merchandise to save time?
You can, but you shouldn't. Cigarettes get inspected, water gets filtered, and fake medicine draws serious heat. Skipping inspection risks your reputation and invites security attention that can cost you far more than the time saved.
Q: Should I report customers whose faces are on wanted posters?
It depends on your strategy. Reporting earns favor with security, while serving them earns money and underworld connections. Either way, decide before they reach the counter — hesitation is what gets shops flagged.
Q: How do hidden compartments work during security raids?
When security walks in, illegal goods stored in hidden compartments stay off their radar while your legitimate shelves look clean. Compartments are a core investment for any shop dealing in weapons or other off-the-books goods.