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Disclaimer: I run an independent video game store.

First: Take your games to an independent game store. :) Seriously, the chains will give you squat for your non current generation stuff. Some EBs won't even take anything older than PSX games. The indpendent store will also be more willing to negotiate on price, and be able to take condition into account more than a chain. They also benefit from lower overhead which equals better prices for you.

Second: Condition is everything. Organize it before you go. Make sure everything is clean and free of 'kid grime'. Gather the right cables, controllers, etc, if you're trading in a system. Make sure the discs are in the right cases. And for crying out loud, don't Disc Doctor the games! As a matter of fact, take your disc doctor outside, swing it high over your head, and smash it on the pavement. That will ensure future generations of games will not be screwed up by that cheap gimmick.

Third: Enter with realistic expectations. Game stores are ok with a 15% margin on new stuff because they can choose what they get in. They work with a 50% margin on used stuff because they can't. Good stores will give over 50% of its resale value for an item it it's new, rare, or if they've got someone on their list bugging them for one. Old sports games aren't worth crap, unless it's soccer or NASCAR. It doesn't hurt to look at their selection first. If they already have 5 FFVII's on the shelf, you might want to keep that in the bag and trade it in at a store across town.

Fourth: Be friendly, but don't waste their time. Don't haggle over every item's price. It helps if you have a ballpark number in mind to begin with, then let them add up what they'd like to give, and compare them. You might be surprised how much you get. If the price is too low, mention what you're looking for and how much you thought your stuff was worth. If the store has a new game that's been sitting on the shelf for a few months, they'll be more willing to deal for it than on a Madden 2004 that they unpacked this morning. If there's a bunch of people in the store and only one clerk, it might be in your interest to loiter around until a quiet moment, or come back later when he's got more time. But don't be afraid to shop around. A trade in quote isn't a marriage proposal, and honesty works. "Hey, that's pretty good, but I'm going to see what Bob's Funky Electronic Jive Shack will give me for it." is fine.

Misc: Don't get peeved if they won't give quotes over the phone, especially if you've got a stack of obscure SNES games that the part-timer on the line hasn't even heard of. Also check to see if they have, or are willing to get, what you want. A small store can't roll the dice to get ten of everything that comes out, especially for the PS2. Unless you live in an area with an abnormally high Gamecube population, 'cube games are automatically worth about 10% less than their PS2 counterparts. Sad fact, but that's Adam Smith talking.

fwiw,
pdb

Very good advice. This should become a sticky.

Originally Posted by pdb Disclaimer: I run an independent video game store.

Go you. Thats always been a dream of mine.

where will an independent video game store usually be??? and how would i know if its an independent store?? :?

PS:Brolly ur animation really slow thing down man :(

Sorry, Ill take it down in a little bit.

Edit: Done. Should help you poor 56K'ers out a bit.

thanx

Excellent post!

Although I have to admit, I've never had a problem with Gamecrazy and they're a huge chain. They've always been very fair, about exchanges, returns, and selling used games.

So pdb where is ur store located?

hey Disk Doctors are not that bad, you just have to do it PERFECTLY or it screws up.

Im not using it on any gc games tho, im still scared of what will happen

Originally Posted by dynamite99 where will an independent video game store usually be??? and how would i know if its an independent store?? :?

Check out your yellow pages. Look under 'Video Games: Renting and Leasing', and call them up to see if they take in trade what you've got. What I classify as 'major chains' includes EB, Babbage's, Gamestop, Funcoland (tho the previous 3 may all be Gamestops at this point) and Gamecrazy. I haven't had a Gamecrazy open near me, so I can't judge their operation yet.

Game Doctors: It may be possible to not permamently fark up a disc by putting it thru a disc doctor, but I've yet to see it. If you've got scratched up games, seek out a store that owns an Azuradisc polishing machine. Gamestores and used CD stores are good places to start, but if they don't have one ask them where they have their discs refinished. Expect to pay $5/disc, but ask for a discount if you bring in a bunch. That's how we do it. Oh, and don't be surprised if they charge double to refinish a Gamecube disc. Those little buggers tear the abrasive right off the pad.

Running your own store: Short Answer: Game stores run by gamers usually fail in their first year. I've seen too many stores collapse because they were run by people who cared more about games than making money. It will be difficult convincing a bank to give you a loan for a game store. It will be a 12 hour, 7 day a week job, and you will probably not be able to afford any help the first year. BUT, it is a very fun and rewarding business. There's also a lot of money to be made if you do it right. :)

fwiw, ymmv
pdb

Originally Posted by pdb Check out your yellow pages. Look under 'Video Games: Renting and Leasing', and call them up to see if they take in trade what you've got. What I classify as 'major chains' includes EB, Babbage's, Gamestop, Funcoland (tho the previous 3 may all be Gamestops at this point) and Gamecrazy. I haven't had a Gamecrazy open near me, so I can't judge their operation yet. Game Doctors: It may be possible to not permamently fark up a disc by putting it thru a disc doctor, but I've yet to see it. If you've got scratched up games, seek out a store that owns an Azuradisc polishing machine. Gamestores and used CD stores are good places to start, but if they don't have one ask them where they have their discs refinished. Expect to pay $5/disc, but ask for a discount if you bring in a bunch. That's how we do it. Oh, and don't be surprised if they charge double to refinish a Gamecube disc. Those little buggers tear the abrasive right off the pad. Running your own store: Short Answer: Game stores run by gamers usually fail in their first year. I've seen too many stores collapse because they were run by people who cared more about games than making money. It will be difficult convincing a bank to give you a loan for a game store. It will be a 12 hour, 7 day a week job, and you will probably not be able to afford any help the first year. BUT, it is a very fun and rewarding business. There's also a lot of money to be made if you do it right. fwiw, ymmv pdb

I have a question for you. I was thinking of starting to sell some games on Ebay and start up a business just for some extra money. I don't plan on making more than maybe $250 extra per month.

My question is this. With margins on Ebay going well below 10% for video games, how could I get good deals on games? How would I go about buying wholesale? And, in your experience, what's the minimal number of games a distributor will allow you to purchase from them for resale?

wow this post is awesome dudes!! :o

and thnx pdb

Do independant gamestores also sell games a little cheaper? Or are the prices for their games about the same as a chain like gamestop or EB.

Originally Posted by mmn I have a question for you. I was thinking of starting to sell some games on Ebay and start up a business just for some extra money. I don't plan on making more than maybe $250 extra per month. My question is this. With margins on Ebay going well below 10% for video games, how could I get good deals on games? How would I go about buying wholesale? And, in your experience, what's the minimal number of games a distributor will allow you to purchase from them for resale?

Most distributors won't even return your calls without a tax ID and a local business license. As for buying volume, I'm honestly not sure, but figure on at least $300 per order and about $5k per month for them to care about you. It wouldn't hurt to ask, google for 'video game distributor' and you'll come up with some likely suspects.

However, selling new items on Ebay isn't a sure thing. You've got a lot of competition, and they've all got the same sources and overhead as you. Plus, you're up against a bunch of internet retailers who sell new games below retail (gogamer.com, gamefirm.com, buyrite.net, etc). Add a few running auctions for new items to your watch list, so you can see what they close at. While sometimes a couple of gamers will get into a bidding war and end up buying a greatest hits game for $27, new games will usually go for about distributor cost.

That said, there is plenty of money to be made on Ebay. The key is to troll for product locally. Prowl yardsales, pawn shops, Goodwill, and second hand stores. Post wanted ads in Wal-Mart or any other large store that allows it: "CASH PAID FOR ANY VIDEO GAME, SYSTEM, OR ACCESSORY!" Don't be afraid of shelling out cash for older stuff. It's worth paying $40 for a stack of old SNES games if there's a valuable title in there. Also don't overlook the big retailers. Wallyworld, K-Mart, Target and ToysRus will often close stuff out on a local basis. Abandon your likes, dislikes, prejudices and follow the prices. Watch lots of auctions, see what stuff is going for.

If you decide to give this a whack, approach it like gambling in Vegas: decide how much you can afford to lose, buy that much stuff, and keep close track of what you paid for the item, how much it sold for, and what your shipping expenses were. An item by item spreadsheet would be a great idea.

How you set up the auction matters. If you've got the stomach for it, a $1.00 opening bid with no reserve attracts the most eyeballs. Setting the minimum at what you paid for it is safe, but doesn't collect bids as fast, and the listing fees are higher. Also consider WHEN the auction will close. If it's going to end at 3am on the east coast, don't be surprised if you get hosed. Take good pictures.

On an earned dollar per hour basis, you're probably better off flipping burgers at McDonalds. On the other hand, this might be more fun.

good luck!
pdb

Originally Posted by LiquidKil Do independant gamestores also sell games a little cheaper? Or are the prices for their games about the same as a chain like gamestop or EB.

Obviously, I can only speak for the store I run, and every store has its own variation on the value equation. Our formula lets us give the same trade as EB/Gamestop on new stuff, 25% more on old stuff, and we're able to sell our used stuff for about 10-25% less.

Consider that when an EB takes in a used game, it's put in a bin and bulk shipped to a reprocessing center where it's cleaned, sorted, tested, etc. Then it's redistributed to local stores based on demand. When I take in a game, it gets cleaned, tested, and maybe takes a trip on the Azuradisc before it goes on the shelf the same day. This is why EB thinks it can ask $44.99 for a used game you can buy for $5 more brand new.

FWIW, we usually sell a new release used game for about $29-34, giving between $15-25 trade for it. This also really shows up on, say, used greatest hits games that EB wouldn't give $3 for, but feels it can sell at $17. We happily give up to $9 for a good GH game, to resell at $15 or thereabouts.

Lower overhead = more love to you.

pdb

Thats probably why that idiot at the pawn shop was only willing to give me $10 for my PSone that was still in great condition, without even looking at the system first when I brought it in. Not to mention the 3 controllers and 2 memory cards that I was offering with it. I mean I know PSones have depreciated in value, but $10! I could sell it to a crackhead for more than that!

pdb...do you own gameexpress? Thats the only independent chain thats good...

There is also gamestation but they arent as good and all the stores are small time.

I hate the independent game place by my house. I love video games, are you would think I would go there every once in a while, because its seriously a block away, but I dont. The two owners are idiots concerning games, they let their little kid run around the store all day, its dirty, the store is insanly small, the owners bring in their goofy friends, and everything is all unorginized. Also, the guy is an asshole, once I tried to trade in SSBM the week it came out, and he only offered my 6 bucks because the front page of the instruction manual was ripped in half. You and your store is'nt likt that right pdb?

hey, i know this isn't as great as opening up your own store but I got laid off and needed some money so I took a bunch of my old junk and some games to the flea market and my games sold really fast so I started buying more games and selling them there and now I'm there almost every weekend and I make about $400.00 in one weekend. It sure beats getting 2.00 for each game at gamestop.

this thread just proves that there are too many dealers buying up all the deals that pop up on this site. Thanks for the advice ... and next time anyone has a problem with people buying hundreds of copies of cheap ass deals, we'll know who to complain to

dont demonize people for earning a living, news flash, insanley wealthy people dont deal games as a hobby! im sure most people who own shops need it as their source of income, just accept the fact that there is not an unlimited quantity of games that can be chaep, and you will miss deals, suck it up, the past is in the past, and posting over and over will do nothing, so live with it, i dont see how people can dwell on not getting a deal on a game for so long.

i dont get why people blame dealers for them missing getting games...ive gotten a number of great deals from this site recently, so maybe youre just not trying hard enough