If you’re playing Fallout 76 and not using vending machines wisely, you’re missing out on a major caps source and trading opportunity. Whether you’re selling rare weapons or bulk junk, your vending machine setup can make or break your economic standing in Appalachia. After hundreds of hours trading with both friends and random players, here are 16 smart moves to help you get the most out of vending machines—and rack up caps efficiently.
1. Price Based on the Market, Not Emotion
Don’t let sentimental value guide your pricing. If you’re trying to move inventory, check what others are charging for similar items and undercut slightly to stay competitive.
2. Avoid Overpricing Plans and Recipes
Many players learn plans from events, so unless it’s a rare spawn, don’t list common ones for hundreds of caps—they’ll just collect dust in your machine.
3. Use Bulk Sales for Junk Items
Selling bulk lead, screws, or adhesive is a great way to make caps quickly. Builders are always short on crafting materials, and bulk means easier access for them—and more space in your stash for you.
4. Group Similar Items
If your vending machine looks like a jumbled mess of mods, outfits, and ammo, it’s harder to sell anything. Grouping similar items makes shopping easier for others and boosts your chances of selling.
5. Keep Prices Reasonable for Ammo
Ammo is one of the best-selling items in vending machines. Keeping it priced competitively (like 1–2 caps per round for popular types) makes your shop a go-to stop for other players.
6. Don’t Forget Display Cases
Although they aren’t required for vending, display cases help draw attention to your rarest and most valuable items, increasing the chances someone sticks around long enough to buy.
7. Refresh Inventory Regularly
No one likes seeing the same 20 items every time they visit your camp. Update your vending machine frequently, and your shop will gain a reputation for being worth revisiting.
8. Make Sure It’s Powered Up
Your vending machine won’t work unless it has power. It sounds basic, but many players forget this after rearranging their camp.
9. Build Your Camp Near Fast Travel Locations
The easier it is to reach your camp, the more foot traffic your vending machine will get. Near a train station or public workshop? Even better.
10. Don’t Undervalue High-Demand Cosmetics
Some outfits, paints, and camp items are surprisingly valuable. If you’ve got a rare cosmetic, check prices first before tossing it in the machine for 50 caps.
11. Monitor What Sells Best
Track which items sell frequently and keep those in stock. If you’re not selling any chems but constantly selling ammo, shift your focus accordingly.
12. Offer Discounts on Bulk Purchases
For example, you could sell a single Stimpack for 25 caps or a stack of 10 for 200 caps. Buyers feel like they’re getting a deal, and you offload more inventory at once.
13. Use the Map Icon to Attract Buyers
Your vending machine icon shows up on the map if you have items for sale. Keep a few cheap and attractive items in stock to make sure your camp stays visible.
14. Avoid Selling Trash Items
Don’t waste space in your vending machine with 5-cap items no one wants. That “Short Hunting Rifle” you looted is better scrapped than sold.
15. Use Sales to Move Stock Fast
Temporarily mark prices down 30–50% to clear out old inventory. Players often prioritize vendors labeled as “SALE” on the map, and you’ll move caps faster.
16. Protect Your Camp from Griefers
A broken or glitched vending machine helps no one. Reinforce your camp and place vending machines in secure or hidden areas to avoid destruction during PvP or events.
If you’re low on tradeable gear, consider farming daily ops, events, and legendary enemies. Or, if you want a shortcut, you can Buy Fallout 76 items PS5 to stock up on popular gear. Likewise, if you’re just looking to fill your stash with caps to invest in resale opportunities, you can buy fallout 76 caps pc and give your trading business a solid start.
Selling through vending machines in Fallout 76 isn’t just a side activity—it can become a core part of your gameplay. With the right strategy, you’ll go from broke survivor to booming merchant in no time.
