most store owners are clueless

[darthkur]

I got a bunch of Game Boy cases there recently. They'd hidden the dirtiest ones well in the box--I found some with dirt, nail polish, and tobacco spit on them when I finally went to clean them all up.

 

 

 

Tobacco spit? That's just plain nasty.

[cyberfluxor]

And oh, the people really know what their games are worth (but why do they have to look 'em up on fleabay?) Now how in the world does that make any sense at all?

A lot of local game stores here look on eBay to ensure eBayers aren't preying on their store as resellers. Many actually refuse business to shady buyers, which is quite nice. Their games are fair market prices and most generally offer 60% of their selling price, so a $10 will get you $6 trade-in American, legal tender cash instead of bull crap in-store credit.

 

As for around here, there are tons of stores that sell all classic games for $1-3 because they don't care and pay you pennies for your pawning goods. It's like pure profit for them and morons continue to deal business with them selling stuff, then people like me come by and get the good deals they don't care to price. The local competition has constantly increased as the local gaming community has grown and more eBay resellers drive around. I make plenty of money at my full-time job so I'm mainly about driving 40-70 miles around the area to dozens of these places on a purpose of obtaining whereas many others are wondering to their near-by pawn/thrift/game store and snatching whatever they can resell for a few extra bucks.

[zach1845]

Most store owners dont care if people resell. they dont have time or energy to list online because it is alot of work.

if the but the game for 2.00 they are happy to sell for 5.00

[shadow460]

And oh, the people really know what their games are worth (but why do they have to look 'em up on fleabay?) Now how in the world does that make any sense at all?

A lot of local game stores here look on eBay to ensure eBayers aren't preying on their store as resellers. Many actually refuse business to shady buyers, which is quite nice. Their games are fair market prices and most generally offer 60% of their selling price, so a $10 will get you $6 trade-in American, legal tender cash instead of bull crap in-store credit.

 

As for around here, there are tons of stores that sell all classic games for $1-3 because they don't care and pay you pennies for your pawning goods. It's like pure profit for them and morons continue to deal business with them selling stuff, then people like me come by and get the good deals they don't care to price. The local competition has constantly increased as the local gaming community has grown and more eBay resellers drive around. I make plenty of money at my full-time job so I'm mainly about driving 40-70 miles around the area to dozens of these places on a purpose of obtaining whereas many others are wondering to their near-by pawn/thrift/game store and snatching whatever they can resell for a few extra bucks.

 

There used to be a dude at the flea market of Norfolk over on Military Highway that sold classic games. IIRC, he was over on the east side in that row of shops, at the north end of the building. There also used to be a classic game store in that indoor flea market near Pembroke Mall. I can't remember the name of the flea market, but I do remember there was a modern game store (was PS2 and XBOX back when I lived there) and a classic store selling 2600, NES, Genesis, you name it.

I wonder if these guys are still in business? Heck, I wonder if the glass smith is still in business over at the flea market of Norfolk?

Edited May 31, 2008 by shadow460

[Reaperman]

I was shocked. The shop that I can't afford the games in, had a cdx with 2 games for $80. Unless something drastic has happened, that's nearly fair of them. I think they charge $60 for a used genesis...

 

naturally I can't affor to spend $80 on yet another genesis, but the next guy who can is going to actually get a pretty square deal. Unless I've missed something and the prices have dropped.

 

 

60 for a Genesis!?!?!? 80 for CDX?!?!? Are you all out of your minds? The GameSwap in Ohio sells each of those for 30 dollars, or 60 if you buy them together. I about had a heart attack when I heard that Sheesh, And I thought I got ripped off when I paid 40 dollars for my Sega Master System.

I was in no way meaning their genesis price was reasonable, just using it to show their typical price. The genesis is *outrageous*, and I'd think $20 would be fair. However, I was of the opinion that a cdx was a pretty rare three-figure machine generally--making that price awfully low.

 

Of course for $30, I'd clean a shop out of cdx units... Checking ebay, all but one of the recent ones have gone for over $80, so if I were you I'd snap up every $30 cdx you can find.

Edited May 31, 2008 by Reaperman

[shadow460]

I was thinking that myself...the CDX does command around $100 if not a little more. I'd snatch it right up for $80. You gotta admit, even today that would be one awesome thing to have for a portable CD player.

Edited May 31, 2008 by shadow460

[fiddlepaddle]

I've recently visited several used game stores across the US as I drove cross country. I noticed an extremely wide variation in prices. It reminds me of the Hot Wheels bubble in the mid 90's when people would go to toys R us and buy a bunch of cars for $.99 and then sell them at the flea market for $3. It could be that there has been a huge increase in the number of collectors in the last year or so, and if so, that may change in a couple of years. Or, it could just be the same guys hoarding everything hoping to sell in a few years. I think it's been long enough that rarity is fairly well established, so the rare games (and systems) will not likely come down much in price from average ebay prices. However, common games will probably lose demand in a couple of years, and those store owners who are trying to sell at high prices will eventually give up and blow them out when they move on to those "rare" gamecube titles. Also, three or four years ago, Goodwill was generally selling Atari, Genesis, NES games for $.25 or $.50 each; now it's typically $3.99 or $4.99, sometimes $6.99... Salvation Army marks them a little lower.

 

Also watch out for stores where an employee stockpiles all the games someplace out of view, saving them for "their favorite customer" who bribes them in one way or another. I've seen this behavior time and again at Goodwill and now only donate stuff to Salvation Army because of it. (I don't donate any games, though)

 

Thrift stores used to be the best place to get used games a couple of years ago, but now I have better luck at classic game stores, although some of the employees are kind of afraid to make any decision when it comes to negotiating. I make a point to talk directly with the owner if I can and usually get a reasonable price per game since I usually get quite a few at a time. They usually want the extra space on their shelves for games that sell faster. These days, you can still find some NES, Genesis, SNES, and PS1 games at Game Crazy at a dollar each or so, since Hollywood Video is not doing so well. They tend to consolidate their stock into one location, so check several stores or ask the employees where they sent all their old stuff to.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

I was thinking that myself...the CDX does command around $100 if not a little more. I'd snatch it right up for $80. You gotta admit, even today that would be one awesome thing to have for a portable CD player.

 

Unless the poster was confusing the CDX with the Sega CD. Since he gave a price for buying them both together. I for one, would only buy the CDX since with it you wouldn't need the Genesis. But then again, I use an X'Eye so what difference does it make to me? (Gotta love Karaoke).

 

JY

[iswitt]

I was thinking that myself...the CDX does command around $100 if not a little more. I'd snatch it right up for $80. You gotta admit, even today that would be one awesome thing to have for a portable CD player.

 

Unless the poster was confusing the CDX with the Sega CD. Since he gave a price for buying them both together. I for one, would only buy the CDX since with it you wouldn't need the Genesis. But then again, I use an X'Eye so what difference does it make to me? (Gotta love Karaoke).

 

JY

 

Yeah, you got me there. In my immediate suprise at an 80 dollar genesis, I guess I didn't really think about the difference between a CD and a CDX. So I was wrong. GameSwap does sell CD's for 30, but if a CDX ever showed up, I doubt if they would know anything about it to give a fair price (for the seller and buyer).

[Wickeycolumbus]

The store owners here think it is worth lots of money because it is atari and collectable. I never find anyting that is fair priced.

[Freakin' Duck]

I remember seeing E.T. priced at $199.99 at some random game store (Games for Sale or something). I told the guy at the counter how ridiculously overpriced it was. He said he heard people would buy this game just for the pleasure of destroying it, even at a high price.

 

That store also had 5200 and other 2600 games priced at 10 and 5 cents a piece respectively. Let's just say I walked out of there with an empty wallet.

[Wickeycolumbus]

That store also had 5200 and other 2600 games priced at 10 and 5 cents a piece respectively. Let's just say I walked out of there with an empty wallet.

 

Wow, I wish that that happened to me once in a while!

[godslabrat]

These days, you can still find some NES, Genesis, SNES, and PS1 games at Game Crazy at a dollar each or so, since Hollywood Video is not doing so well. They tend to consolidate their stock into one location, so check several stores or ask the employees where they sent all their old stuff to.

 

Just stopped in at my local GC last week. NOTHING older than a PS1 in stock. Nada.

[fiddlepaddle]

Just stopped in at my local GC last week. NOTHING older than a PS1 in stock. Nada.

 

I guess they're drying up. However, yesterday, I got 5 PS1, 3 Genesis, and 1 SNES games at Game Crazy in Columbus OH, and four weeks ago I got a ton of PS1 games and about ten Genesis with box and instructions in Wichita Kansas (which isn't too far from Oklahoma City). Today I went to a bunch of garage sales and got some PS1 and PS2 games for a dollar each at several places and an Atari 2600 with six games including Laser Gates (which I didn't have) for $6.50. By the way, two months ago I got a CDX complete with one game (Ecco) for $29.95 at Game Crazy in Medford Oregon. So although you may not be able to go get whatever you want off the shelf for a dollar, games are still readily available. Maybe it's time to start collecting Xbox stuff, which is starting to show up in the deep discount bins. Try asking your local Game Crazy what other (GC) store still has the classic stuff...they might tell you where there are still some left since Ok. City is a pretty big town.

[Blur2040]

The GameSwap near my house is odd. The manager isn't completely clueless when it comes to games, but he sure does lack tact. He comes off as such an asshole that other people I've seen there don't like going there because he makes you feel like you're an annoyance while your in his store.

 

"So, is it fun managing a game store? Do you get good discounts on games and systems?

"I was hired based on my ability to manage this store, not on my ability to play video games. I don't play games."

 

You would think just by working there every day that you would at least play something. Anyway, they have really good deals on 2600 games and other Atari stuff, but it seems to be system by system. 3DO games cost my arms and legs, Sega Genesis is random, NES games seem to be moderate in price, and every SMS game they have seems to be classified as "rare". I assume they don't know what they're talking about and when I try to bargain a little I just piss them off.

 

"Would you take fifty for that Sega CD/Genesis combo instead?"

"We don't cut deals for anyone."

"Uh...okay, it was just a question..."

"I know. We don't cut deals."

 

With that chain, you have to pick your battles. They will do deals if you get the right people. The manager guy (If its the same one I'm thinking of) is a douchenozzle. No point in trying any dealing when hes around.

 

Unpriced items are the best bet. Don't let them get near a computer though...they'll try and price thing with eBay. Its fun to watch them panic and stumble when they can't find something on eBay though. I scored a sweet deal on some pc engine games that way.

 

That reminds me of a store up near me though. They have some hilarious prices on things due to perceived rarity. My favorite is the $110 copy of Marvel vs. Capcom on Playstation. Its worth about 30 dollars...tops...

[iswitt]

If we're thinking of the same guy, I'm talking about the manager of the location in Northern Kentucky inside the Florence Mall. I have also visited the location in Eastgate, Ohio, but not their third place. I like Eastgate more, but Florence is a lot closer to me.

[shadow460]

These days, you can still find some NES, Genesis, SNES, and PS1 games at Game Crazy at a dollar each or so, since Hollywood Video is not doing so well. They tend to consolidate their stock into one location, so check several stores or ask the employees where they sent all their old stuff to.

 

Just stopped in at my local GC last week. NOTHING older than a PS1 in stock. Nada.

 

Thing is, though, OKC is happening pretty good with older games. There's tons of places to get common titles, and some of 'em have a few rares in stock (as long as you can beat me to them! )

 

We've got Game X Change and Vintage Stock, both of which have stuff from R1 to R4. Average cost is about $2 a cart between the two chains. Then there's at least three flea markets, Craigslist, and tons of garage sales each weekend.

 

Classic game are around here. In fact, about 95% of my VCS collection was purchased in the wild around Oklahoma City. I've got games as high as R7.

[Rev. Rob]

And oh, the people really know what their games are worth (but why do they have to look 'em up on fleabay?) Now how in the world does that make any sense at all?

A lot of local game stores here look on eBay to ensure eBayers aren't preying on their store as resellers. Many actually refuse business to shady buyers, which is quite nice.

 

That actually sounds like dumb business. I am not a reseller, but if I were, what's the difference between selling it to me for $X all at once, and selling it slowly to a bunch of different people for exactly the same price?

[Blur2040]

If we're thinking of the same guy, I'm talking about the manager of the location in Northern Kentucky inside the Florence Mall. I have also visited the location in Eastgate, Ohio, but not their third place. I like Eastgate more, but Florence is a lot closer to me.

 

I visited what you'd call their third location always. I think it makes sense that we're talking about the same guy...I never saw him in that store much...they sometimes called him to ask questions...only saw him there a few times. Who knows. I just leave when they start going to ebay to set prices.

[Red_Queen]

The fact is that Amerika is so anti videogame, most store owners can barely make the buck and like most Video sellers think the years past so the tape should go down in price.