Running a shop in Probably Stolen means you need to know how to identify genuine products, spot counterfeits, and calculate the correct value of items. Some products require careful inspections before you buy them, while others need a proper appraisal to determine how much they are worth.
Things become even more difficult if you have selected the Illiterate perk or simply do not want to keep opening the same in-game documents every time you inspect something. Knowing what to look for can save you time and help you avoid expensive mistakes.
In this guide, I’ll cover all the inspection rules and appraisal values for Hemingway Cigarettes, Food Stamps, Immunivax Injectors, Cybernetic Hands, Ribwich, and Plasma Cartridges. You can use the tables and checklists as a quick reference while managing your shop.
Probably Stolen Appraisal and Inspection Guide – Checks, Values
There are two main types of inspection in the game:
- Non-Appraisal Inspections: Used to identify problems with products before purchasing them.
- Appraisal Inspections: Used to calculate the value of specific items and earn appraisal fees.
The first three inspection types are not connected to the appraisal system. They are used when sellers offer products that might be counterfeit, expired, damaged, or otherwise unsuitable.
If you identify a problem, the seller will lower the price to match the product’s new label.
There is also a useful reputation benefit: if a seller labels an item as counterfeit or worthless, but you correctly identify it as genuine and useful, you can earn reputation with that seller’s faction. This happens rarely, but it is worth knowing.
Are Counterfeit Products Completely Worthless?
Not always. Some counterfeit products still have value, depending on who you sell them to.
- Counterfeit Hemingway Cigarettes: Can still be sold to people looking for substances. Upper Level citizens rarely catch you relabeling counterfeits as genuine.
- Counterfeit Food Stamps: Generally worthless by themselves, but buying a wholesale batch containing at least one genuine stamp can still be worthwhile.
- Counterfeit Immunivax Injectors: Can retain value because they can be relabeled and sold to non-medical personnel.
Unusable injectors can also help reduce the wholesale price of an entire batch.
Non-Appraisal Inspections
The three non-appraisal inspections cover Hemingway Cigarettes, Food Stamps, and Immunivax Injectors.
Hemingway Cigarettes Inspection
Hemingway Cigarettes are likely to be among the first products you inspect. Their documentation says that differences should be obvious at a glance, but there are several details worth remembering.
There are four main inspection problems, plus a possible box issue that may only appear in the tutorial.
1. Lettering Issues
Check the name printed at the bottom of the cigarette box.
- The lettering must use the correct font.
- The name must be spelled correctly.
- The text should have a calligraphy-like appearance.
A misspelled name or incorrect font indicates a problem.
2. Color Issues
Compare the box with the official color reference.
The game provides a color splotch document that allows you to compare colors directly. You can use it even with the Illiterate perk.
After inspecting a few genuine boxes, incorrect colors should become easier to recognize.
3. Seal Issues
Check whether the cigarette box has its seal.
A broken or missing seal is an inspection issue.
4. Logo Issues
The logo can be difficult to recognize at first, so pay attention to its details.
The cross in the middle has side ends that appear slightly incomplete. The vines around the sides should have spade-shaped leaves, with the bottom ending in a small flourish.
One particular vine formation can be confusing because it looks almost correct, except for a slight gap near the bottom flourish.
If you are still learning the design, keep the official logo document available for comparison.
5. Box Issues
The counterfeit inspection system also includes a box-related issue.
However, the guide author had not encountered this outside the tutorial, so it may be limited to that section.
Food Stamps Inspection
Food Stamps have several inspection details. Some are easy to spot, while others require checking the exact value and security seal.
1. Lettering Issues
The text should read:
REPUBLIC SOCIAL PROGRAM
Check for:
- Missing text.
- Incorrect font.
- Spelling mistakes, including a single incorrect letter.
Do not assume a stamp is genuine just because most of the text looks correct.
2. Logo Issues
The logo is one of the more difficult details to memorize.
Fortunately, Food Stamps have a logo reference document. You can adjust its opacity to compare the design directly against the stamp.
3. Security Seal Issues
The security seal depends on the value of the Food Stamp.
| Food Stamp Value | Required Security Seal |
|---|---|
| 160 credits or more | Shield security seal required |
| Below 160 credits | No security seal |
4. Stamp Value Issues
Food Stamps are only available in multiples of 40 credits.
The maximum value is 240 credits.
Valid values are:
- 40 credits
- 80 credits
- 120 credits
- 160 credits
- 200 credits
- 240 credits
Any other value is an inspection issue.
5. Chip Issues
Every genuine Food Stamp should have a visible, undamaged chip.
A missing or damaged chip indicates a problem.
Immunivax Injector Inspection
Immunivax Injectors are the most difficult of the three non-appraisal inspections because they have several details to check.
There are five possible inspection categories.
1. Indicator Issues
The indicator on the right side is one of the easiest things to check.
| Indicator Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Green | No issue |
| Orange | Problem |
| Deep Red | Problem |
The specific color helps determine the final value.
Expired injectors still retain some value, while empty injectors are only worth the plastic they are made from.
2. Label Issues
The injector must have a label with the correct font and spelling.
Missing or incorrectly written labels indicate a problem.
This issue does not appear particularly often, so a quick inspection is usually enough.
3. Serial Number Issues
The serial number is the most important detail to check carefully.
A valid Immunivax Injector must have:
- A visible serial number to the left of the label.
- A seven-digit serial number.
- A number between 1250000 and 4559999.
Additionally, serial numbers beginning with any of these prefixes are invalid:
| Invalid Prefixes |
|---|
| 250 |
| 251 |
| 301 |
| 355 |
| 385 |
| 386 |
| 421 |
One common mistake is overlooking a six-digit serial number. Make sure you count all seven digits before accepting an injector as genuine.
4. Body Issues
The injector body should be free of cracks.
This issue appears rarely, but a damaged injector can have a large and obvious crack along its side.
5. Color Issues
A genuine injector should be green and silver.
If the injector has an incorrect color combination, it should be flagged.
Appraisal Inspections
As you progress through Probably Stolen, a station employee will eventually approach you and offer the opportunity to become an appraiser.
Joining costs credits, with the amount depending on your current difficulty.
However, you can earn the money back through appraisal fees. Your payment consists of a base fee plus a percentage of the item’s appraised value.
Both amounts depend on your appraisal rank. You can check your current rates by hovering over your appraisal certificate.
How to Get a Perfect Appraisal
Your goal should be to achieve a Perfect appraisal.
Interestingly, you do not need to calculate the exact value to receive a perfect result.
The game allows a 5% margin of error, meaning any appraisal between 95% and 105% of the actual value counts as perfect.
If you want to maximize your appraisal fee, you can use the upper end of that range.
For example, imagine an item has a perfect value of 300 credits and your appraisal rank pays a 100-credit base fee plus 25% of the appraised value.
| Appraisal Method | Calculation | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Exact value | 100 + (300 × 25%) | 175 credits |
| Maximum perfect value | 100 + (315 × 25%) | 178 credits |
By appraising the item at 315 credits instead of 300, you can earn slightly more while remaining within the perfect appraisal range.
Understanding Appraisal Slips
After successfully submitting an appraisal, you receive an Appraisal Slip.
It shows the appraisal result and how much you earned in fees.
Keep these slips in mind when learning the system. They can help you understand where you made a mistake if an appraisal does not receive a perfect result.
Starting Value and Minimum Value
Every appraisal item has two important values:
- Starting Value: The default value before applying any bonuses or deductions.
- Minimum Value: The lowest possible value of the item.
If your calculations produce a final value below the minimum, the game uses the minimum value instead.
Cybernetic Hands Appraisal
Cybernetic Hands are the first appraisal items you unlock.
Their features are generally easy to identify, so most of the work involves calculating the bonuses and deductions correctly.
<text weight=”semibold” color=”default”>Cybernetic Hands appraisal values</text>
| Property | Condition | Value Change |
|---|---|---|
| Starting value | Default | 100 credits |
| Minimum value | Lowest possible | 50 credits |
Material
Cybernetic Hands come in three materials.
| Material | Value Change |
|---|---|
| Aluminum Alloy | +0 credits |
| Carbon Composite | +50 credits |
| Gold Plated | +200 credits |
Condition
Check the overall condition of the hand.
| Condition | Value Change |
|---|---|
| No abnormal condition | +0 credits |
| Wear and tear, minor scuffs, no breakages | -35 credits |
| Visible damage | -85 credits |
Control Interface
The control interface is identified by its logo.
| Interface | Appearance | Value Change |
|---|---|---|
| EMG | Lightning bolt without a plus sign | +0 credits |
| EMG+ | Lightning bolt with a plus sign | +45 credits |
| NI | Brain-cell logo representing Neural Interface | +120 credits |
| Unspecified | No logo | -60 credits |
Be careful when checking this section. The two lightning bolt logos can look similar, and it is easy to miss when the logo is completely absent.
Add-ons
Add-ons increase the value of Cybernetic Hands. Both can appear together, and neither depends on the hand’s condition.
| Add-on | Appearance | Value Change |
|---|---|---|
| Armored | Solid chunk of material around the knuckle | +50 credits |
| Blade | Large blade attachment | +80 credits |
There are no fake add-ons mentioned in the guide. You will either find one, both, or neither.
Set Bonuses
Cybernetic Hands also have two special set bonuses.
Tactical Set Bonus: +100 credits
The hand must meet all these requirements:
- Carbon Composite material.
- EMG+ or NI control interface.
- No wear or damage.
- Both Armored and Blade add-ons.
Deluxe Set Bonus: +200 credits
The requirements are:
- Gold Plated material.
- No wear or damage.
- NI control interface.
Add-ons do not matter for the Deluxe bonus. The hand can have them or have none.
Ribwich Appraisal
Ribwich is the second appraisal item you unlock after increasing your appraisal rank.
This item is more complicated than Cybernetic Hands because it involves production dates, facility numbers, and several special features.
Some problems can immediately make the Ribwich counterfeit, regardless of its other bonuses.
<text weight=”semibold” color=”default”>Ribwich appraisal values</text>
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting value | 150 credits |
| Minimum value | 40 credits |
Packaging
If the packaging is open or missing, the Ribwich is immediately worth the minimum of 40 credits.
Production Date
The production date is one of the most important details to check.
There are two valid production periods:
| Production Period | Date Range | Value Change |
|---|---|---|
| First production | 01/425–12/429 | +80 credits |
| Second production | 01/432–12/438 | +0 credits |
If the date sticker is missing or the date falls outside these ranges, the Ribwich is counterfeit and worth 40 credits.
The two production periods also have different logo requirements:
- First production: Must not have a Ribwich logo sticker.
- Second production: Must have a Ribwich logo sticker.
Historical Bonus
Two production dates provide an additional bonus.
| Date | Value Change |
|---|---|
| 01/425 | +50 credits |
| 12/438 | +50 credits |
The bonus for 01/425 can stack with the first production bonus.
This means a Ribwich dated 01/425 receives a total of 130 credits in production-related bonuses.
Packing Facility
There are 35 possible packing facilities.
If the facility sticker is missing or shows a number higher than 35, the Ribwich is counterfeit and worth 40 credits.
Some facilities provide bonuses or deductions:
| Facility Numbers | Value Change |
|---|---|
| 01, 02, 05, 08, 21, 34 | +50 credits |
| 07, 15, 18, 26, 31 | -50 credits |
| Other valid facilities | +0 credits |
Deluxe Edition
The Deluxe Edition provides a large bonus, but it has two specific requirements.
| Requirement | Result |
|---|---|
| Extra pickles and sesame seed bun | +300 credits |
| Only one feature or neither | Counterfeit, worth 40 credits |
The extra pickles appear as a second layer on top of the already large amount of visible pickles.
Double Meat Patty
A Ribwich with a second layer of meat receives:
- +800 credits
The guide does not confirm whether this bonus can stack with the Deluxe Edition bonus, as these items are rare.
Davre Logo
The Davre logo must be present and correctly designed.
Look for the red DA logo with a spoon on top.
If the logo is missing or incorrect, the Ribwich is counterfeit and worth 40 credits.
Ribwich Logo
The Ribwich logo sticker depends on the production period.
- First production run: No Ribwich logo sticker.
- Second production run: Ribwich logo sticker required.
The sticker must also have the correct design. A missing or incorrect sticker makes the Ribwich counterfeit and worth 40 credits.
Plasma Cartridge Appraisal
Plasma Cartridges are the final appraisal item you unlock.
Unlike Ribwich, Plasma Cartridges cannot be counterfeit. Their value depends entirely on their physical condition, plasma color, and manufacturer bonuses.
<text weight=”semibold” color=”default”>Plasma Cartridge appraisal values</text>
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting value | 300 credits |
| Minimum value | 90 credits |
Cartridge Wear
There are three possible wear conditions.
| Condition | Appearance | Value Change |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | No abnormal wear | +0 credits |
| Light Wear | Light scuffs on the side reflections | -45 credits |
| Heavy Wear | Missing chips or visible scratches along the sides | -90 credits |
Additional Cartridge Conditions
These three conditions are independent, meaning multiple conditions can appear on the same cartridge.
| Condition | Appearance | Value Change |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked | Actual glass section is cracked | -150 credits |
| Exposed Screws | Visible exposed screws | -30 credits |
| Reinforced | Extra metal strips | +60 credits |
Remember that Reinforced can appear on a cartridge that also has cracked glass.
Plasma Color
The plasma color determines another major part of the appraisal value.
| Plasma Grade | Color | Value Change |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Blue | +0 credits |
| Low-Grade | Any color other than Blue or Red | -150 credits |
| High-Grade | Red | +150 credits |
There will always be plasma inside the cartridge. If the color is neither blue nor red, it counts as Low-Grade.
Cartridge Manufacturer Bonuses
Manufacturer bonuses depend on the seal or sticker on the cartridge.
These bonuses do not have negative deductions. If a cartridge does not match a manufacturer requirement, you simply do not receive that bonus.
WLD
- Appearance: Empty black sticker with a rainbow border.
- Bonus: +60 credits.
- Requirement: Must not be High-Grade.
Any condition is allowed as long as the plasma is not High-Grade.
ZHS
- Appearance: Red circle with golden decoration.
- Bonus: +120 credits.
- Requirements:
- Must be in pristine condition.
- May optionally be Reinforced.
- Must have Standard blue plasma.
RNR
- Appearance: Blue crosshair resembling the Republic logo found on Food Stamps.
- Bonus: +120 credits.
- Requirements:
- Must not be cracked.
- Must have Standard blue plasma.
IGN
- Appearance: The seal clearly says Ignition Lab.
- Bonus: +750 credits.
IGN has the strictest requirements:
- Must be in pristine condition.
- Cannot have any additional conditions.
- Must have High-Grade red plasma.
The most important thing when running your shop in Probably Stolen is to understand the difference between inspecting a product and appraising it.
For regular inspections, pay attention to labels, logos, serial numbers, colors, seals, and physical condition. For appraisals, calculate every bonus and deduction carefully, especially when dealing with Ribwich and Plasma Cartridges.
I recommend keeping the Cybernetic Hands, Ribwich, and Plasma Cartridge tables handy. Once you memorize the most common inspection problems and appraisal bonuses, managing your shop becomes much easier.
