Where money comes from
Completed repair orders
Accept a device, restore it, and record the payout after delivery. Compare it with all parts and other upfront costs belonging to that job.
Online and in-person requests
Both are official features. Compare their required work, what you already own, and the cash left after accepting the job.
Tips
An official development update says online or in-person orders can leave tips in the tip jar. Record tips separately; do not assume every order produces one.
A safe early-cash routine
- Keep a reserve. Do not spend the entire balance on the first attractive upgrade.
- Read the order. Note the required result and visible parts requirement.
- Estimate the worst case. Can you still fund the next job after several purchases?
- Buy only what is needed. Separate replacements from cosmetics and conveniences.
- Log the result. Record payout, tip, parts, and leftover cash.
- Repeat before recommending. One profitable order does not prove a route.
When is an upgrade worth it?
The official launch FAQ confirms upgradable tools in the full version. Before buying, ask whether the upgrade reduces a repeated action, helps a device you already see often, leaves enough cash for the next part, and produces a measurable benefit after a few jobs.
Your order ledger
Track: order, device, online or in-person, parts cost, other upfront cost, base payout, tip, net result, patch, and confidence. Calculate net result only when every value belongs to the same order. Keep bills, upgrades, and story purchases separate.
Marketplace risk
The in-game browser and spare-parts search are official features, but the developer does not publish a complete price-to-quality formula. Record the listing, quality signal, price, order outcome, and remaining cash. Promote a finding from “single-run observation” only after it repeats.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a guaranteed best order?
Not in the official sources checked for this guide. The exact cost-to-payout relationship needs testing in the current build.
How much cash should I keep?
There is no verified universal number. Base your buffer on the next known part requirement and your recent results.
Where do I learn the repair sequence?
Use the repair walkthrough before committing cash to a device you have not handled.