Probably Stolen Dr Jackson: Machines and Visitors

Use Jackson as an equipment vendor

Dr. Jackson is a source of machines, modules and tools, not merely a visitor to speak with for a quest. His equipment role is described by the character reference and the dedicated shop guide. Start by deciding what equipment you need, then inspect what he actually offers. Character reference · Dr. Jackson shop reference

This page focuses on equipment shopping and distinguishes Jackson from a few other recurring visitors; it does not prescribe every story encounter.

Check access before planning a visit

During the standard introduction, Jackson first visits on day 6 and invites you to his shop after closing. Skip Intro and no-introduction starts can provide earlier access: the Rock Bottom recording has no introduction and shows Jackson in its first travel list. Do not assume every new run offers the destination on its first evening. Standard opening · Access reference · Recorded early travel

The ordinary shop is closed on Mondays, as the reference and a release recording both show. Check your actual destination list before setting aside the trip. Shunned reputation is another restriction: the shop reference says it hides Jackson, and the faction guide says it stops his regular visits except in special circumstances. Opening and reputation conditions · Monday closure, 1:43:06 · Faction restriction

Visit his shop after closing

1. Confirm Jackson is unlocked and available in your current run, then finish the shop day.
2. Leave the store and select a backpack to take.
3. Choose Dr. Jackson from the destination list.
4. Inspect his current equipment stock.
5. Read the current offer before deciding whether to purchase.

The after-hours travel list includes Dr. Jackson alongside the Dumping Grounds and Commissary. That sequence appears in two separate playthroughs, so you do not need to treat a counter appearance as the only documented way to reach him. Rock Bottom travel, 5:54–6:08 · Challenge-run travel, 9:37–9:43

Distinguish counter visits from store visits

Jackson can also appear at your shop counter. The beginner guide explicitly suggests visiting his shop if he has not already appeared, while recorded commentary distinguishes the goods at his store from the counter encounter. Treat a trip to his shop as a separate purchasing opportunity rather than assuming the two encounters are interchangeable. Beginner equipment advice · Counter encounter and store comparison, 44:52–45:05

Check the Water Trading unlock and ownership

The Jackson reference groups Water Purifier stock under Water: needs Water Trading. Its detailed ownership-dependent stock rules are not independently confirmed here, so no probability or guaranteed first offer is prescribed. The independent Rock Bottom recording shows water-trading access being purchased through Joe Wild's network; it corroborates the access upgrade, not Jackson's exact stock percentage. Stock and unlock reference · Network access, 1:01:10

If a purifier is missing, check the Water Trading unlock before assuming another visit will fix it. The ownership-dependent stock rule remains unconfirmed here. Also check Jackson's access and Monday closure described above. The water-start video says to leave if no purifier is offered, but does not identify the player's ownership state or prove random first-purifier availability. Recorded conditional advice

Use the water guide to check whether the machine you are considering fits the purification route you want to use.

Read prices in their difficulty and version context

Hotfix 1.0.0.2 reduced Jackson's stock markup on Normal from 25% to 15%. This is a documented change to markup, not a universal machine price or a promise about the final offer after other modifiers. Use the price shown during your visit rather than carrying forward a number from an older guide or another difficulty. Official Normal-difficulty change · Patch-history explanation

Recognize the other recurring visitors

Georgio's visits are not another equipment shop. If he brings waste back, use the radioactive-waste guide rather than following Jackson's purchase routine. For the landlord, use buying the shop. Character roles · Georgio introduction, 59:16 · Recorded waste return, 35:49 · Sunday buyout

Equipment-shopping questions

Does Jackson sell only machines?

No. The references describe machines, modules and tools. Check all relevant offers for the equipment task you are trying to complete rather than limiting the visit to appliances. Vendor description

When does the documented Toolbox become available?

Update 049 says Jackson sells the Toolbox after day 14, with keys 1–9 equipping its corresponding tools. That is the historical update's stated availability boundary, not a guaranteed universal schedule for every later starting setup. See controls and organization for the input context. Official Toolbox addition · Control reference

What if the machine I want is missing?

Check the relevant unlock first; this guide does not establish an ownership-dependent stocking probability. For the recorded purifier example, leaving without buying is preferable to treating that recording as proof of a guaranteed future offer. Recorded shopping advice, 4:08–4:15

Scope

The standard introduction and ordinary Monday closure are described above. Stock probabilities, special Monday stock unlocks and final purchase prices are not prescribed here. This is a guide to Jackson's equipment-shopping opportunities, not a full NPC quest index. Sources checked November 2, 2026.