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The Ultimate Starfield Vendor Guide: Where to Get the Best Deals

The best vendor in Starfield isn’t a single person, but rather a network: the Trade Authority. With locations in nearly every major city and even in hidden locations like The Den, and kiosks scattered across landing zones, the Trade Authority provides the most consistent access for buying and selling, especially for those… ethically flexible items like contraband. Beyond just availability, the Trade Authority’s diverse inventory and willingness to purchase almost anything make them the cornerstone of any successful Starfield entrepreneur’s trading strategy.

Mastering the Art of the Starfield Transaction

Starfield’s vast galaxy offers a dizzying array of vendors, each with their own unique stock and credit limits. Knowing where to go and who to sell to is paramount to building your fortune and outfitting your character with the best gear. While individual vendors might have their specialties or temporary advantages, the Trade Authority’s consistency and galaxy-wide presence make them the most reliable choice.

Why the Trade Authority Reigns Supreme

Several factors contribute to the Trade Authority’s dominance:

Ubiquitous Presence: From the bustling streets of New Atlantis to the shadowy depths of The Den, a Trade Authority representative is never far away. This accessibility simplifies inventory management and reduces travel time. Their kiosks at outposts provide an easy place to offload resources.
Contraband Acceptance: This is arguably the most significant advantage. Most vendors in civilized areas won’t touch contraband, forcing you to seek out less scrupulous buyers. The Trade Authority is always ready to turn a blind eye (for a cut, of course).
Decent Credit Pools: While not always the highest, Trade Authority vendors typically have a respectable amount of credits, allowing you to offload a significant amount of goods in a single transaction. You will find different credit amounts at each one, so it is smart to remember the locations with the best starting amount.
Varied Inventory: Trade Authority shops usually stock a good mix of resources, weapons, armor, and miscellaneous items, making them a one-stop shop for many of your needs.

Beyond the Trade Authority: Niche Vendor Strategies

While the Trade Authority is your bread and butter, savvy players will leverage other vendors for specific purposes:

Jemison Mercantile (New Atlantis): A good general merchant for selling common items and resources early in the game. Located in the Spaceport area of New Atlantis, it’s easily accessible.
Individual City Vendors: Each major city has vendors specializing in specific goods. For example, Neon is known for its unique products (including Aurora).
Ship Services Technicians: These are your go-to for buying and selling ships, as well as modifying existing ones. Don’t forget to register those “acquired” vessels before attempting to sell them.
Faction-Specific Vendors: Joining factions like the Crimson Fleet or the United Colonies unlocks access to exclusive vendors with unique items and potentially better prices.

Maximizing Your Profits

Here are a few tips to become a Starfield trading tycoon:

Invest in the Commerce Skill: This skill directly increases the prices you get when selling items and reduces the prices you pay when buying. It’s a must-have for any aspiring merchant.
Loot Everything (Smartly): Don’t be afraid to scavenge, but prioritize high-value items and resources. Be mindful of your carry capacity.
Complete Missions: Many missions offer generous credit rewards and valuable items that can be sold for profit.
Exploit Resource Scans: Scanning planets and selling the data to Vladimir at the Eye is a quick and easy way to earn credits early on.
Embrace Ship Piracy (Carefully): Boarding and selling ships can be incredibly lucrative, but it comes with risks.
Crafting and Selling: Learn crafting recipes and sell crafted items for a higher profit margin than raw resources.
Understand Item Value: Not everything is worth picking up. Learn which items fetch a good price and focus on those.
Sell Aurora in Neon: If you are planning on becoming an Aurora merchant, remember to sell it at the Trade Authority in Neon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about vendors and trading in Starfield, designed to help you maximize your profits and navigate the complexities of the game’s economy.

Where is the best place to sell contraband in Starfield?

The Den in the Wolf system is widely considered the best place to sell contraband. It’s a space station with a Trade Authority vendor and, crucially, no security scans.
How do I sell stolen ships in Starfield?

First, you need to register the stolen ship at a Ship Services Technician. Then, you can sell it to the same technician. Note that registering a stolen ship can be expensive, so make sure it’s worth the investment.
What should I sell in Starfield to make the most money?

Contraband is the most profitable, but also the riskiest. High-value weapons, armor, and resources are also good choices. Survey data is also useful to sell.
Where can I find a Trade Authority vendor in New Atlantis?

There are two main Trade Authority locations in New Atlantis. One is in The Well, the lower level of the city accessible by elevator from the spaceport, and the other one is in the Commercial District. The one in the Well tends to have a higher credit pool.
What is the Commerce skill, and why is it important?

The Commerce skill increases the prices you get when selling items and reduces the prices you pay when buying. It’s essential for maximizing profits from trading and making money.
Can I sell items directly from my ship’s cargo hold?

Yes, you can. When interacting with a vendor, there’s a button prompt (usually LB on Xbox) that allows you to switch between your personal inventory and your ship’s cargo hold, making it easy to sell items without having to physically carry them.
What are the best early-game money-making strategies?

Focus on completing early missions, scanning planets and selling the data to Vladimir, and looting valuable items to sell to vendors like the Trade Authority.
Are there any items I should not sell in Starfield?

Avoid selling essential items like ammo, digipicks, and healing items. Also, think twice before selling unique or rare items, as you might need them later for crafting or quests. You also might want to think twice about selling your favorite legendary armor.
How do I increase a vendor’s credit pool?

You can’t directly increase a vendor’s credit pool. However, credit pools refresh over time. Sleeping or engaging in activities away from the vendor for a while will usually reset their credits. The amount of credits for each vendor is set. Some vendors, such as the Trade Authority vendor in the Well, tend to have higher starting credit pools.
Where can I find rare resources to sell?

Rare resources can be found on planets with extreme environments or through completing specific missions. Use your scanner to identify planets with valuable resources. Some missions offer rare resource rewards.
Do vendors offer better prices for specific types of items?

Not usually, but some vendors might have a higher demand for certain resources based on their location. It’s worth experimenting to see if you can get better prices for certain items in specific cities.
How does reputation affect vendor prices?

Your reputation with a faction can influence vendor prices. Being friendly with a faction might grant you discounts or better selling prices at their associated vendors.
Can I barter or negotiate prices with vendors?

No, Starfield does not have a bartering system. Prices are fixed based on your Commerce skill and any relevant faction reputation bonuses.
Is it worth investing in outposts for resource gathering and selling?

Yes, setting up outposts to automatically extract resources can be a very profitable long-term strategy. You can then sell these resources to the Trade Authority or other vendors.
Where can I learn more about the underlying mechanics of Starfield’s economy?

While direct game documentation is limited, online communities and guides are constantly evolving with new discoveries. The Games Learning Society provides an excellent resource to learn more about games and game based learning. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to explore game mechanics and strategies in depth.

By mastering these trading strategies and leveraging the ubiquity of the Trade Authority, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a wealthy and powerful figure in the Settled Systems. Happy trading, explorer!

What is the best vendor in Starfield?