Sal is the NPC quest provider in the Back Alley area of Storage Hunters: Open World. Unlocked at 750 net worth, Sal offers a quest chain that introduces you to mid-level containers, more valuable items, and the Back Alley gameplay experience. Completing Sal's quests rewards you with the Cowboy Hat accessory and a substantial amount of cash to fuel your continued progression. This Sal Back Alley Quests Guide provides a detailed walkthrough of every quest, tips for completing them efficiently, and strategies for maximizing your rewards.
Meeting Sal: Back Alley Introduction
Sal is located in the Back Alley area, which unlocks when your net worth reaches 750 cash. When you first enter the Back Alley, Sal will be standing near the entrance, ready to introduce you to the area and offer his quest chain. Talk to Sal by approaching him and pressing the interact button.
Who Is Sal?
Sal is a seasoned Back Alley dealer who knows the value of everything that comes through the area's containers. He is more experienced than Billy from the Junk Yard and offers tougher quests with better rewards. Sal's dialogue reflects his street-smart personality, and he provides useful tips about Back Alley container types and item values.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| NPC Name | Sal |
| Location | Back Alley |
| Area Unlock | 750 net worth |
| Quest Count | 4-5 quests |
| Signature Reward | Cowboy Hat (Uncommon) |
| Total Cash Rewards | ~11,500 cash |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Sal's Complete Quest Chain
Sal's quest chain consists of 4-5 quests that must be completed in order. Each quest builds on the previous one, progressively introducing you to deeper Back Alley mechanics.
Quest 1: Back Alley Introduction
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Quest Name | Back Alley Introduction |
| Objective | Win a Back Alley container auction |
| Cash Reward | 500 cash |
| Item Reward | None |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Walkthrough:
- Talk to Sal to accept the quest
- Look for an available Back Alley container on the auction board
- Bid on the container and win the auction
- The quest completes automatically when you win any Back Alley container
Tips:
- Back Alley containers are more expensive than Junk Yard containers. Make sure you have at least 1,000 cash before starting.
- The Back Alley introduces you to the Storage Locker and Tool Chest container types. See our All Containers Guide for details.
- Do not overspend on this first auction. A modest bid is sufficient to complete the quest.
Quest 2: The Good Stuff
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Quest Name | The Good Stuff |
| Objective | Find 3 items worth 1,000+ cash each |
| Cash Reward | 1,000 cash |
| Item Reward | None |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Walkthrough:
- Sal asks you to find valuable items in Back Alley containers
- Bid on containers and loot items worth 1,000+ cash each
- You need to find 3 separate items that meet the value threshold
- The quest tracks automatically as you loot qualifying items
Tips:
- Focus on Storage Lockers, which tend to contain more valuable items than Tool Chests
- Check item values before leaving the container area. The value is displayed when you pick up each item
- Mutated items count toward the quest if their mutated value exceeds 1,000 cash. A Gold mutation (4x) on a 300 cash item becomes 1,200 cash and qualifies. See our Gold Mutation Guide for mutation details.
Quest 3: Sal's Special Request
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Quest Name | Sal's Special Request |
| Objective | Find and deliver a specific rare item to Sal |
| Cash Reward | 2,000 cash |
| Item Reward | None |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Walkthrough:
- Sal requests a specific rare item that can be found in Back Alley containers
- The requested item changes each playthrough (it is randomized from a pool of mid-tier items)
- Bid on containers until you find the specific item Sal wants
- Deliver the item to Sal by talking to him with the item in your inventory
- Sal takes the item and rewards you with 2,000 cash
Tips:
- The requested item is always something that can be found in Back Alley containers. You do not need to go to other areas.
- If you already have the item in your inventory from previous auctions, you can deliver it immediately
- The item you give to Sal is consumed. If it is particularly valuable, weigh the 2,000 cash reward against the item's sell value. If the item sells for more than 2,000 cash, consider selling it instead and finding a cheaper version
Quest 4: Alley Veteran
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Quest Name | Alley Veteran |
| Objective | Complete 10 Back Alley auctions |
| Cash Reward | 3,000 cash + Cowboy Hat |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Walkthrough:
- Sal challenges you to become a Back Alley regular
- Win 10 container auctions in the Back Alley
- The quest tracks your cumulative Back Alley auction wins
- Upon completing 10 wins, return to Sal for the Cowboy Hat and 3,000 cash
Tips:
- This is a cumulative quest. Previous Back Alley auction wins count toward the total
- If you have been bidding in the Back Alley since unlocking it, you may already have several wins counted
- Focus on cheaper Back Alley containers (Tool Chests) if cash is tight. You only need to win the auction, not necessarily make a profit on each one
- The Cowboy Hat is an Uncommon head accessory required for the full accessory collection. See our All Accessories Guide for the complete list
Quest 5: Back Alley Boss (Optional/Advanced)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Quest Name | Back Alley Boss |
| Objective | Reach 5,000 cash net worth |
| Cash Reward | 5,000 cash |
| Item Reward | None |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Walkthrough:
- After completing the Alley Veteran quest, Sal offers one final challenge
- Reach a net worth of 5,000 cash
- Your net worth is calculated from your total cash plus the value of items in your shop
- Return to Sal once you reach the milestone
Tips:
- This quest naturally completes as you progress toward the Farmyard area
- Net worth includes cash in your wallet and items on your shop shelves
- Selling high-value items quickly boosts your net worth. Use strategies from our How to Get Rich Fast Guide
- The 5,000 cash reward is a nice bonus on top of the milestone you were already working toward
Sal's Quest Rewards Summary
| Quest | Cash Reward | Item Reward | Cumulative Cash |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back Alley Introduction | 500 cash | None | 500 cash |
| The Good Stuff | 1,000 cash | None | 1,500 cash |
| Sal's Special Request | 2,000 cash | None | 3,500 cash |
| Alley Veteran | 3,000 cash | Cowboy Hat | 6,500 cash |
| Back Alley Boss | 5,000 cash | None | 11,500 cash |
Completing all of Sal's quests nets you approximately 11,500 cash and the Cowboy Hat accessory. This is a significant boost that accelerates your progression toward the Farmyard.
Sal's Dialogue and Tips
Throughout the quest chain, Sal shares tips about the Back Alley:
- Container types - Sal explains the difference between Storage Lockers and Tool Chests in the Back Alley
- Item values - Sal hints at which Back Alley items are most valuable
- Bidding advice - Sal warns about overpaying for containers and teaches smart bidding
- Area progression - Sal mentions the Farmyard and hints at what lies ahead
Pay attention to Sal's dialogue for useful gameplay tips that complement your auction strategy.
Optimizing Sal's Quest Completion
Time Efficiency Tips
| Tip | Description | Time Saved |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-buy Back Alley containers | Win several Back Alley auctions before starting Sal's quests | Saves back-and-forth trips |
| Check item values immediately | Pick up items and check values on the spot | Avoids hauling worthless items |
| Keep rare items in inventory | Save rare items that Sal might request for Quest 3 | Eliminates the search phase |
| Track auction count | Count your Back Alley wins to predict Quest 4 completion | No surprise requirements |
Cash Efficiency Tips
| Tip | Description | Cash Saved |
|---|---|---|
| Do not overspend on auctions | Bid only what is needed to win | Variable |
- Sell extra items before questing | Build up cash reserves for Back Alley container bids | Improves cash flow | | Use the Cowboy Hat as motivation | The hat is a required accessory for the full collection | Long-term value |
Sal and Area Progression
Completing Sal's quest chain is a natural part of Back Alley progression. The cash rewards from Sal's quests directly contribute to your net worth, helping you reach the Farmyard unlock threshold faster. Here is how Sal's quests fit into the overall progression:
| Progression Stage | Net Worth Range | Relevant Quests |
|---|---|---|
| Back Alley Entry | 750+ cash | Sal's Quest 1-3 |
| Back Alley Mastery | 2,000-5,000 cash | Sal's Quest 4-5 |
| Farmyard Approach | 5,000+ cash | Sal's quests completed, progressing to Farmyard |
For the complete area progression path, see our Area Unlock Progression Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sal located? Sal is in the Back Alley area, which unlocks at 750 net worth. He stands near the entrance of the Back Alley.
What accessory does Sal give? Sal rewards the Cowboy Hat accessory upon completing the Alley Veteran quest (10 Back Alley auctions won).
Do I need to complete Sal's quests to progress? No, area progression is based on net worth, not quest completion. However, Sal's quests provide significant cash rewards that accelerate your progression, and the Cowboy Hat is required for the full accessory collection.
How long does Sal's quest chain take? For an active player, Sal's entire quest chain can be completed in 1-2 hours. The Alley Veteran quest (10 auction wins) is the longest individual quest.
Can I repeat Sal's quests? No, NPC quests are one-time completions. Once you finish Sal's quest chain, the quests are permanently completed.
Related Guides
- All NPCs and Quests Guide - Overview of every NPC
- Billy Junkyard Quests Guide - Starter area NPC
- Ted Farmyard Quests Guide - Farmyard NPC
- Gas Station NPC Quests - Utility NPC
- All Accessories Guide - Complete accessory list
- Back Alley Unlock Guide - How to reach the Back Alley
- Area Unlock Progression Guide - Full progression path