Mastering the Art of Selling Stolen Goods in Skyrim

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Where to Find a Fence

Stealing in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is relatively simple. Players have the option to pickpocket unsuspecting individuals, discreetly snatch items from shop corners, or employ a clever tactic by placing a basket or bucket over a merchant's head to facilitate thieving without detection.

Nonetheless, selling stolen goods in Skyrim poses a greater challenge. Merchants will not display items with red labels during regular transactions, and if the Dragonborn is apprehended by a guard, all pilfered belongings in their possession will disappear. To offload stolen loot, players must locate a fence, which is a far more elusive character compared to regular merchants.

How to Identify Stolen Items

One common issue faced by players is the discrepancy in consequences for taking different items in the game. Certain items can be acquired without any repercussions, while others are considered as theft. These items can include display pieces found in shops or items that are not intended for sale.

The key factor to consider is the color of the interaction text. If the text appears in white and says "Take," players can freely pick up the item without facing any consequences. However, if the text is red and says "Steal," taking the item will result in it being classified as stolen goods. In the player's inventory, the name of the item will be displayed in red. It is important to note that stolen goods cannot be sold to regular merchants, regardless of whether the theft was witnessed or not.

The change in color of items in towns and shops, from red to white, depends on the dispositions of non-player characters (NPCs). When players complete quests for an NPC and improve their reputation in town, NPCs become more lenient towards players taking things. As a result, the low-value objects owned by the satisfied NPC will turn white, indicating that players are allowed to take them. However, high-value items will always remain off-limits.

Where to Find a Fence

To locate a fence effortlessly, becoming a member of the Thieves Guild in Riften is your best bet. Within the Ragged Flagon, the guild's central hub, you will find Tonilia, an adept fence capable of purchasing a wide array of items from players, even those of ill-gotten origins. As you progress through various Thieves Guild quests, additional fences will become available for you to utilize.

Mallus Maccius in the Honningbrew Meadery outside Whiterun

Gulum-Ei in The Winking Skeever tavern in Solitude

Enthir in the Hall of Attainment in the College of Winterhold

Endon, a wandering NPC in Markarth

Niranye, a market stall merchant in Windhelm

Atahbah, a Khajiit trader who travels between Markarth and Whiterun

Ma'jhad, a Khajiit trader who travels between Windhelm and Solitude

Zaynabi, a Khajiit trader who travels between Riften and Dawnstar

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Even players who don't steal often should still unlock these merchants, as they can upgrade guild fences to carry 4000 gold every day. Moreover, they accept all types of items, making them highly valuable for any loot run.

Alternatively, stolen goods can be sold through the Speech perk tree. The "Fence" perk enables players to sell stolen items to merchants they have invested in, although currently, this bug allows it to work with any merchant. The main drawback is that the Fence perk necessitates a Speech level of 90 and the expenditure of 4 perk points.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is available now on PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.