I've built 3 stage 2 merchants so far, 10+ population where each is built, and I feel like I'm gonna have to start breaking legs to get a payout.

I'll play a couple long nights without checking my work bench and when I do I'll usually see 5 to 15 caps. Mind you these merchant shops cost around 600 caps a piece. All my settlements have 80+ happiness , if that makes a difference.

In contrast, I have 1 water purifier and am getting more purified water than I can use.

Am I expecting too much or doing something wrong? One of my merchants is a ghoul, do you think that makes a difference? I hope not because that guy's always at his post.

Once you get artillery cannons to stick in your settlements, you'll start to see what settlements really offer you.

As far as making money off of the shops... *shrug* No idea. Even the 3000 cap shops don't pay out much.

On the other hand, there are very few other uses for money in this game. You can probably buy anything you want using that purified water as barter material.

Lol, I've been using it to craft cutting oil and hoarding the rest like some loon. This is actually great advice, I'm going to just build a gang of purifiers and get rich that way.

personally i didnt put the merchants in to make money off them I out them in to use as additional places to sell items at. honestly it's worth the investment just for that. Plus I also did it to add atmosphere to the settlement

I have to agree here. I returned to Sanctuary one night to all of my settlers crowded around my market place having a drink. It was awesome.

Like others said, you wont make much from the traders. Best to sell what you can produce. Food, water, scavenger station stuff, etc.

That's funny to me because I often have to track down my armor merchant and get her lazy bum back to work.

try puting in a cooking stove. I made like a little commons area with all my vendors and put a stove by the bar tender and I came in one night and there was a bunch of people eating and drinking and one guy was even using the stove to cook. I am gonna try adding in a pool table and see what happens after I find a bunch more balls for it.

I'll do that and see what happens. I'd be very interested to know if they play pool, watch TV, etc. I haven't thought to try that yet.

After taking Langy's advice I've made so much money of off Mutfruit and Purified water it's crazy.