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Hello, stranger. I'm Tinker Joe, premier supplier of robotic parts and service throughout the DC Wasteland.

Tinker Joe is a merchant patrolling near the RobCo facility in Fallout 3.

Background[]

Tinker Joe is a traveling merchant who wanders the wastes with robotic companions, including an old Mister Gutsy army unit named Sergeant RL-3. He sells miscellaneous items, ranging from junk to equipment and weaponry.[Non-game 1] He considers his specialty to be the sale of robots and their parts, alongside servicing them.[1][2] In addition to his trade with wastelanders, he has sold to towns such as Megaton, supplying them with Deputies Steel and Weld, a purchase which Sheriff Simms takes pride in.[Non-game 1]

He is keen to sell Sergeant RL-3, to a point where he may sell him at a discount of 500 caps to the Lone Wanderer as he is tired of waking up to the Mister Gutsy playing "revelry"In-game spelling, punctuation and/or grammar at him.[3]

Daily schedule[]

Tinker Joe moves between the following locations:

  • Northwest of the RobCo facility.
  • The parking area south of the RobCo facility (around 8 a.m.).
  • The crossroad east of Tenpenny Tower, south of the RobCo facility.

Interactions with the player character[]

Interactions overview[]

Interactions
FO76 ui trading team
This character is a merchant. Bottle cap 10-90
Sells: miscellaneous

Other interactions[]

Joe sells Sergeant RL-3, a robot companion, for the price of 1,000 bottle caps (500 with a Barter skill of 70) if the player character has neutral Karma. If he is dead, Sergeant RL-3 will no longer be available for recruitment as a companion.

Inventory[]

Apparel Weapon Other items On death
Roving trader outfit Laser pistol Scrap metal
Other random tools

Notes[]

  • The southwest corner of the RobCo facility is also the southern terminus of a "Type B" random encounter patrol route and one of its spawn points.
  • Tinker Joe sells the highest number of scrap metal after Karl in the Meresti Metro station.
  • Tinker Joe refuses to sell Sergeant RL-3 to the Lone Wanderer unless they have neutral Karma saying that he does not like the look of them.[4]
  • Sometimes, after the player character has bought Sergeant RL-3 and chosen him as a follower, Tinker Joe and his protectron will randomly spawn with them after fast travel or entering a location, then run away, potentially resulting in his death.
  • After reverse-pickpocketing items onto Tinker Joe, it may take up to three in-game days before he will equip the new items; entering and exiting nearby locations, such as the RobCo facility or Tenpenny Tower, will not speed up the process.
  • He will sometimes equip gear that is sold to him, such as raider armor.
  • Tinker Joe says the other two robots are reserved for delivery, but he never leaves the vicinity of the RobCo facility.

Appearances[]

Tinker Joe appears only in Fallout 3.

Bugs[]

Xbox 360Xbox 360 It is possible that Tinker Joe will be stuck with the protectron and Mister Handy in one spot. The interaction will not be possible. Killing any of them will result in them disappearing. [verified]

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. Tinker Joe: "Hello, stranger. I'm Tinker Joe, premier supplier of robotic parts and service throughout the DC Wasteland."
    (Tinker Joe’s dialogue)
  2. Tinker Joe: "Remember me? Tinker Joe, at your service. Robots for sale, robots serviced while you wait. Interested?"
    (Tinker Joe’s dialogue)
  3. The Lone Wanderer: "How about this: I'll take him off your hands for 500 caps."
    Tinker Joe: "That's a hard bargain. But if I wake up with that thing playing revelry at me one more time, I'll go insane. I'll just transfer the codes, and you've got a deal, friend. Here's hoping for the best for you and the Sergeant alike!"
    (Tinker Joe’s dialogue)
  4. The Lone Wanderer: "I'd like to buy a robot."
    Tinker Joe: "I'm afraid these 'bots are all spoken for, I'm just delivering them now. I've got a custom Gutsy that isn't spoken for but... Well, RL-3's a bit finicky about the company he keeps. And I don't think he likes the look of you. Nothing personal, of course."
    (Tinker Joe's dialogue)

Non-game

  1. 1.0 1.1 Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p. 101:
    "Tinker Joe:
    This wandering merchant sells a variety of junk, equipment, and weaponry, but also dabbles in scavenging and selling robot parts. He's built a good rapport with Wastelanders, and Sheriff Simms of Megaton is particularly happy with his purchase of Deputies Steel and Weld. He can currently be seen wandering the wastes with his robotic entourage, which includes an old Mister Gutsy army unit named Sergeant RL-3."
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