Black Market

The Black Market is the underground trade, and trust is its currency. Its thieves bring stolen goods to shops they can rely on, and its people remember who talks.

See the Underground Exchange recipe list for all fourteen trades, input counts and possible rewards.

Thieves

Petty thieves visit more often from +20 standing (Small Time Broker), and their wares improve as your standing rises. From +40 (Safe Hands) a thief is guaranteed to visit once a week, and every thief offers better goods. See Contraband, inspections & raids for the risks of dealing in stolen goods.

Sawyer, the janitors and the Underground Exchange

Early on, Sawyer of the Lower Levels Janitorial Staff explains how things work: you are not allowed to clean your own storefront. Pay the crew’s fee, or they will make you regret doing it yourself.

Later Sawyer lets you in on the crew’s side business, the Underground Exchange. Drop the items on their list in your trash bin, use the janitorial service, and they leave something in return by morning. The list changes every few days, and trades through the Exchange aren’t tracked by Security.

At −40 Black Market standing (Blacklisted), Black Market customers stop selling you contraband, you are barred from the Exchange, and the janitorial service costs double.

Standing and perks

Perks switch on as your standing reaches each value: good ones at or above a positive number, penalties at or below a negative one. Honor Amongst Thieves is always on.

Standing	Perk	Effect
Always	Honor Amongst Thieves	Reputation is lost with the Black Market at a rate of x1.5, regardless of your current Reputation.Trust is our currency.
+60	Underground Network	You will receive advanced notice of most Black Market events.It's who you know that matters.
+40	Safe Hands	You are guaranteed a visit from a Thief once per week. All thieves will now offer improved wares.The Thieves of the Black Market know you're good for it, and more are willing to deal with you.
+20	Small Time Broker	Petty Thieves have an increased chance of visiting your Store. Their wares will now improve with higher Black Market Reputation.You are starting to build a reputation with the Black Market.
−40	Blacklisted	Customers from the Black Market will no longer sell you Contraband items. You are barred from the Underground Exchange. The Janitorial Service cost double.Your credits aren't worth a thing if nobody trusts you enough to sell.
−60	Uninsurable	Insurance services will not longer be available to you.Due to your infamy with the Black Market, even Joe Wild can't insure you anymore. You're on your own now.

Faces of the Black Market

The Sector 13 Cartel’s handlers wear the same faces. See Sector 13 Cartel.

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Sources: the game’s localization tables (ClientName, Dialogue, Mechanic, RepPerkTable) and code (StoreClientListStory, StoreReputation, SpriteDict), demo build 049-Rev3-L.