Guide to Shopkeep

''' Wow! So you want to be a shopkeeper? '''

Rad.

First and foremost you need to know what the shopkeeper does. You are a citizen of the oasis and you own the shop within that faction. When you spawn in as a shopkeeper you start with this text:

"You are the Shopkeeper. As the Shopkeeper you answer directly to law and order. Special circumstances may change this. To speak on your departments radio, use the :h button. To see others, look closely at your headset. The capitalist economy of pre-war America survived alongside its people. Now it's your job to continue its survival, so make some caps!" As well as keys, machines, select items to sell, and a storage room downstairs.

Your job is, as says, to run the shop and keep the economy going. You should spend the majority of the round inside of your shop unless gathering materials or random ic happenings. You work with the farmer, prospector, banker, and even barkeep sometimes. The farmer and prospector can help you gather materials for the store and you can buy stuff off of them. The banker - depending on how played - can make deals for credit and partnerships with you. The barkeep can have trade deals so you get food and they get things they need for their bar. Every partnership and deal you make is up to you but working with the other parties mentioned is highly encouraged.

Mechanics and Setup.
The shop has three basic areas, the back of the shop, the front of the shop, and the basement.

Back of the shop
The back of the shop is behind the counter where you have a table with a cell charger, four shelves, and the ladder. This is where most your business will go on and the two shuttered panels under will become your desk where you buy and sell.

At the top of the shop you find a little divot with two blast doors below four shutters and that makes up the trading post area. The trading post connects you to the wasteland so if you wish to buy and sell but the Oasis is closed off it is still possible. The trading post is also good for wasters and other faction members to shop without having to come around.

You begin with a load of weapons, armour, and random items spread along the shelves. The shelves can be used for displaying items you want to sell yourself or items that are being bid on over the radio. You may of course leave the stuff there but it is better organized in the front.

Front of the shop
In the front of the shop you will begin with the shutters over the door and windows as well as four machines and their keys. The machines are armour, weapons, ammo, and wasteland miscellaneous. If you use the keys on the machines they open up and allow you to place items inside with a cap value of your choosing. You may also take items out and caps out when the time comes. Make sure to lock up the machines before going to the back or anyone can grab the items. The keys will all be named so you can remember what goes where but I highly suggest making a key ring for all the keys. (grab one metal sheets, press z, select key ring)

Most the machines are straightforward with what you put in them but the wasteland is quite up to your discretion. You may use it to place abraxo cleaner, cameras, valentines, and other random items. You may use it to place weapon addons, spare parts, flashlights, and radios. You may use it for stimpacks and other general health supplies. You can even use it for all of the above. The wasteland vending machine is a good opportunity to choose what to keep out of the machines and behind the counter.

Basement/Storage room
This is where the majority of your stock and tools are. Depending on what kind of shop you run you will probably be down there for a long portion of the round. You get a little over 20 racks of supplies, a workshop (lathe), workbench, advanced workbench, moulding workbench, and a forge.

The end of the fourth row and the fifth row are where most of your big selling items are, including armour and guns galore. You will have a variety of armour ranging in quality and weapons the same. You will also -( if this is still accurate)- begin with a special weapon like the maria which is a glorified weapon that is prettier and you can sell for more. (it is also a good display piece)

The first three rows and most the fourth row as the last row are just parts for you to use to make your merchandise. You have an extremely large stock of metal, glass, and other parts along those lines, as well as a limited stock of electronic gun pieces, high quality metal parts, black powder, abraxo, and more. You will also start with a few blueprints and a rack of food for yourself to stay nourished.

Doors
The button at the top left is for the back shutters and door things, the first button on the right is for the outer windows and door, the second is for the counter shutters. Make sure to only open the shutters when your store is open for business because if you don't set up first then you will have an overload of people and never an organized shop. If you plan to leave the store it is a good idea to close the back shutters but let people still come in and use the vending machines, this is another reason why it is good to have them stocked. Storage room doors are all locked to everyone else but some people do like to fortify the right side door. This prevents people from breaking in.

So what do you sell?
The oasis shop by proxy is a variety store, carrying all types of items, but you can choose where you go from there. As you are given all the tools needed to make anything you can specialize in specific types of guns, powerful armour, clothing, crazy weapons, or whatever your mind decides. This is where roleplay as well as your character's lore and background really shine through.

As mentioned before you can work with other people to get what you need. It is good to work with the specialists in the town depending on the specific things, like if you want to make drugs or health supplies talk to the farmer. If you want more blueprints or mined things talk to the prospector, etc. You also work with anyone in the wasteland you can.

Tips and tricks.
- Be nice for big bucks. Most shopkeepers don't charge for stuff like radios. If you give people a radio who need them then they will end up coming back for more business in the future and you have a good standing relationship to make more money in the long run. Of course this isn't how every shopkeeper is personality wise but it is a very helpful strategy.

- '''Radio. That's it.''' The radio is a tool far under looked. While yes you can have static prices you can also trade and host bidding over the radio. Rare items like rings or power armour can go for a lot and you can really make a sum. If you sell items like these without seeing how much people will pay then you may be losing money for yourself. Even if you don't want to have bidding matches you can still advertise your stock over the radio and it will bring business and roleplay. If you ever hear anyone needing anything on the radio it is a perfect opportunity to jump in and bring them to your shop.

- Price like its your last. This is one of the most helpful tips I have ever been given and it is one I live by when I am shopkeeper. Despite the fact you can make more things, technically you only have your stock in the now so sell it for a good price because once its gone you cant sell it anymore. You don't want to overprice to the point people wont buy from you but make a profit before you can't anymore. This message made possible by the one and only the wonderful amazing Marrone who taught me (the writer of this) how to be a shopkeeper.

- In the know means in the store. If you are out of the shop much or in the basement leave a note or a message on the radio. If you are constantly out of the store then make sure people know you will come back or they will stop coming around. Also unless you talk to people about what you can offer people wont come around.

Thats all for now folks, more will be added including a general price guide in the future.