Frustratingly crazy prices...

[pinball22]

So, a new game store appeared in one of the malls here recently, and I went in it for the first time on Saturday. I was very excited to see that there was a big stack of 2600 carts on one shelf, and I quickly picked out three that I needed. Then I looked at the stickers on the back, and discovered the completely outlandish prices... they wanted $17.99 for Worm War I! I looked at few others to see if the ones I'd picked up were just weird... nope. Plenty of R1-3s marked $9.99 or more. So I put them back and started looking at other games, hoping that it was just Atari that they had no idea how to price... nope again. $40 for a loose Contra III and $60 for a GH Castlevania: SOTN in not great shape. It's so disappointing to find a new local source for games and then have it turn out that the prices are all 20-50% (or more, in the Atari section) above with-shipping eBay prices.

Edited December 21, 2009 by pinball22

[+save2600]

Well, a brick and mortal company (especially one that operates within a mall), has crazy obscene overheads. Not the least of which is rental space. Look into that sometime.... what malls charge stores to lease space. Quite disparaging and a wonder any business can survive. Having said that, I'm sure these new store owners will quickly realize something is up when they can't pay their bills and inventory isn't moving. I don't mind paying a few dollars more for something locally and for all the reasons above, but yeah - those prices seem quite high.

[StoneAgeGamer]

Yeah like save2600 said, the rent in a mall is obscene. This is why so many stores that carry classic games don't last and why I never even bothered opening a brick and mortar shop. At least not until it could be significantly supported by online sales. Although if I did open a brink and mortar shop I would have to offer modern gaming items as well to draw more people in.

[AtariLeaf]

Well, a brick and mortal company (especially one that operates within a mall), has crazy obscene overheads. Not the least of which is rental space. Look into that sometime.... what malls charge stores to lease space. Quite disparaging and a wonder any business can survive. Having said that, I'm sure these new store owners will quickly realize something is up when they can't pay their bills and inventory isn't moving. I don't mind paying a few dollars more for something locally and for all the reasons above, but yeah - those prices seem quite high.

 

These people aren't always so astute. I've got a local gaming shop and their retro game prices are similar to what the OP suggests and they never move any of it. However they seem to survive on DVD and modern console gaming sales which are about par. I'm sure stubbornness is part of it, the other part is a refusal to do the research. I've mentioned to them a few times that the xonox spikes peak/ghost manor won't sell for $55 or the ghostbusters won't sell for $30. They keep pleading the old ebay crap even though I call them on it and dare them to show me on the computer sitting right their to prove it.

 

BTW, when I get my package of 12 coco games in the mail, including one called Androne, of which these people have a copy for $14, I'm going to show them that I got that and 11 others for $11.

[pinball22]

Yeah, I understand that mall rent is high (though in this particular mall I'm guessing it's not that high... there's a lot of unoccupied spaces). And I'd be willing to pay a premium over eBay for the convenience/supporting something local. But not double or more. I didn't look at the prices on anything newer than N64/PSX, so I don't know if they were as outlandish.

[doubleminor]

There's a chain of stores in my area called Movie Trading Company (Vintage Trade in other areas). They sell VHS, DVDs, CDs and video games. I think their video game selection bounces from store to store because I saw Suikoden 2 at one location, then saw it at another (ended up buying it). What they get depends on what people trade in.

 

Their prices seem pretty reasonable. I recently bought Shining Force 3 for $50 a couple of weeks ago (I did have a little help with a coupon). Looking online, it can go for almost $50 more. They usually have a surplus of Atari games starting out at .99 cents a pop. I've found lots of games that go for quite a bit online for around $5-$10 cheaper at these stores.

[tz101]

I have this store about 40 minutes north of my house the charges stupid prices on most of their stuff, yet they are always busy and seem to be moving inventory, based on my visits. The only thing I can figure is that there are certain collectors for classic systems that will pay just about anything for that "must have" game cart, and are too lazy to shop around or look online.

[StoneAgeGamer]

I have this store about 40 minutes north of my house the charges stupid prices on most of their stuff, yet they are always busy and seem to be moving inventory, based on my visits. The only thing I can figure is that there are certain collectors for classic systems that will pay just about anything for that "must have" game cart, and are too lazy to shop around or look online.

 

I think you're right. Some people like the instant gratification of having it their hands and seeing it in person. Which I can't always blame them, its hard to trust some online retailers and eBay sellers.

[Reaperman]

I used to have a chain like that in my area. $35 for loose super mario 3...

but it caught up with them, and they started unloading their games in huge cheap lots on ebay to pay the bills (naturally prices were still high in-store).

They were looking sickly for a while, closing locations and ebaying inventory. Eventually Play-N-Trades started moving in and finished them off in the space of about a month. Good thing too, that place was exporting classic games by the thousands.

 

I think part of the issue is that a good number of people who open up used game shops haven't a bit of business sense, and some are just straight up hoarders.

Edited December 21, 2009 by Reaperman

[Bruce Tomlin]

If your prices are high enough that nobody will buy anything, it not only won't pay for mall overhead, it will take up space for something that would actually sell. Otherwise you're just running a museum with free admission.

 

So what are their buy-back prices like for 2600 games? Most common and uncommon 2600 games shouldn't have a store buy-back price of more than 25-50 cents, but that's when you're selling them for $1-$5. And by "selling", I don't mean collecting dust on the shelves because of overpricing.

Edited December 21, 2009 by Bruce Tomlin

[shadow460]

Vintage Stock's list prices are actually kind of outrageous. If you look close at the labels, the 99 cent games are usually labeled as "bulk". If the label has the game's name, though, the price will be higher. Pitfall! for the VCS runs about $8 to $9 if it's priced as Pitfall!, however a bulk tag would have a price of $2.

 

The Midwest City location had, for the longest time, a 5200 that was priced at $250. It had four controllers, about 20 games, and the system. I asked if the controllers had been rebuilt, and the clerks said that they had. They had no clue who Best Electronics was, though. I think they finally broke up the lot. I had been trying to buy certain games from it for a while, like River Raid and Vanguard. Just recently I picked up Vanguard from that same store.

 

$60 for SotN isn't really that far off. Yeah, it's a little high, but I suppose it the game was still sealed it might be worth that. IMO, it's worth about $35 if it's complete, open, and used, maybe less if it's been polished.

 

I'll admit it, though, I've paid up to $10 for a few R1 to R3 games. The trick is, though that they were complete in their boxes. VS had a boxed 2600 Pac-Man for $10 a couple weeks back, and I honestly considered buying it just for the box. They had some others including Demon Attack, Freeway, and Riddle of the Sphinx that I did buy for about $3 each. I passed on Video Chess for $4, and when I went back, it was gone along with 'Vaders and Pac-Man.

 

Some of the craziest prices I've seen:

Saturn Bomberman, loose, $35. It's been sitting for almost two years, so I will make an offer on it soon. I've stayed away since it's loose, but I can repro the manual and back cover, so it might just be worth my while.

VCS Gremlins, $30. That's been sitting for three years. I've tried making offers to that store, with no success. I think this is worth about $10.

Mr Do! for the 5200, $35. Seems high to me, but I'm not up to speed on 5200 pricing.

Star Wars episode 4, CBS/FOX release, laser disc, $23. I think it's the one that shrinks up as you watch it. That's been sitting for at least six months. It was offered to me for $19 and tax recently along with Goldfinger for an additional $19 and tax. I declined. I'm not really interested in either of these.

Micro Machines for Game Gear, $4.

River Raid II, VCS, $1. IMO, this is worth about $10.

Star Wars Arcade, VCS, $1. I've seen this more than once.

Shining the Holy Ark, complete except for the first and last page of the manual, $25. Last I checked, this game was running $50 ish.

[AtariLeaf]

Boy, I hope you picked up the River Raid II and SW Arcade. Those are great prices.

[+save2600]

Boy, I hope you picked up the River Raid II and SW Arcade. Those are great prices.

 

Indeed and before all the kiddies sitting on this stuff popped out of the woodwork and didn't have access to the internet (mid 90's), we were trading those games and Gremlins for $30-$50 ea. My the times they have a changed. For the record, I'd by a nice Gremlins cart for $10 if anyone wants to sell...

 

BTW: re: Worm War I for $17.99... makes you wonder just where some of these guys come up with these prices. Even rarityguide lists that as $9 loose. I haven't looked at the DP price guides since the late 90's, but when some of us collectors meet these people in malls or wherever with outrageous prices, it is nigh impossible educating someone right then and there. Most of these stores now-a-days have internet terminals near or in their POS registers. Maybe politely tell them to divide Rarityguides prices by half, etc., etc. I guess then you'd have a diatribe on your hands as you try to explain the market in relation to internet sales (ePay) and all that good stuff. Prolly not worth it. Just might be a good idea to point them to some half-way legitimate price guide. Schiffer Books put out one I thought too and a lot of these antiquey resellers are high on printed/bound matter. Like kids who believe everything they see on TV nowadays, these old farts take those outdated books and their values as the gospel.

Edited December 21, 2009 by save2600

[pinball22]

So what are their buy-back prices like for 2600 games?

 

I didn't get a chance to ask -- it being the Saturday before Christmas, the store was as crowded as its prices are high. I'm very tempted to take a box of commons in there and see what they give me, though.

[kemmer]

So what are their buy-back prices like for 2600 games?

 

I didn't get a chance to ask -- it being the Saturday before Christmas, the store was as crowded as its prices are high. I'm very tempted to take a box of commons in there and see what they give me, though.

 

I'd say chances are pretty good you could trade your unwanted stuff for the couple games you wanted.

[godslabrat]

At least everyone's finally forgotten about that Antiques Roadshow episode...

[+save2600]

At least everyone's finally forgotten about that Antiques Roadshow episode...

 

...or the 'Pawn Shop Kings' episode or whatever that slop is called

[AtariLeaf]

So what are their buy-back prices like for 2600 games?

 

I didn't get a chance to ask -- it being the Saturday before Christmas, the store was as crowded as its prices are high. I'm very tempted to take a box of commons in there and see what they give me, though.

 

I'd say chances are pretty good you could trade your unwanted stuff for the couple games you wanted.

 

Thats the only time I pay the crazy prices of the store near me is if I've got a bunch of stuff I don't use and can't sell online. I'll take it all in and get store credit and buy something. Thats how I got one of my TG-16 units. They wanted $65 for a loose unit with all hookups and controllers. I traded in a bunch of NES and Genesis games I didn't use and got it for $30 which was a more respectable price.

[jeremysart]

Hehe, reminds me of the Gibraltar Trade Center in my area.

For one, this dirt mall costs $2 to even get in, so I hardly ever go (unlike the Taylor Trade Center, which I go to weekly and 9/10 buy something) but the vendors there are straight up hoarders.

Some of the vendors there have had some of the same games and systems for the past 6+ years!

I don't know how they are surviving other than modern game or DVD sales.

$65 for a sega CD? I saw a Sega with CD & 32x + a game for $40 at TTC.

There was also a vendor there with Final Doom in a cracked case and a scratched up disk, wanted $45, also Command & Conquer for $35, which was also in barely acceptable condition.

 

And as always, when you approach them about their prices, they try to pull that "I bought it for more" or "ebay prices.." crap, when I know full and well I could easily get both games together for $45. I walked away saying "You should lower your prices, you'll get more sales".

[shadow460]

Boy, I hope you picked up the River Raid II and SW Arcade. Those are great prices.

 

I couldn't get my wallet out fast enough. Both SW games came in packs with four other games for $5 each, making it cost me $1 per game. I kept one SW game, traded the other for a Stargunner handle cart, and traded the eight commons back on the spot for 25 cents each. Essentially, it was like getting a Stargunner cart for $1. Before I advertised the second Star Wars cart online, though, I attempted to trade it locally. I was offered $4 for it as a "bulk video game".

 

I don't know how many times I've passed on R5 or even R6 games with prices at $1. The way I see it, if I've already got it, I might as well leave it for someone else to find at $1 like I did. Still, SW Arcade was just too tempting to pass up. That goes double when I think about what I got in return for the second one.

 

Oh, and I just love those "I bought it for more" or "It goes for x on ebay". In the case of Star Wars, after I declined the $4, I told them I bought it for less, way less, and I knew it was worth $10 or $15 to an Atari collector (never mind the Star Wars aspect).

Sure that vendor has "more" in the item that what you're offering. So do half of the other vendors, too! *gasp* I want one of them to come to my house and camp out in front of my door, 'cause they lie like a welcome mat.

Edited December 22, 2009 by shadow460

[Smatchmo]

The closest source for older games around here is 30 miles away at this one small flea market, and they're frustratingly crazy with their prices.

 

$60 for a loose (and almost certainly very dirty) Zelda II?!? It's gold-colored plastic, not actual gold, idjits. Funny thing is, Zelda II was priced at $60 but they had Mega Man 4 & Duck Tales 2 going for $5 a piece.

 

From what I've seen, prices get crazy either because the seller needs to jack up the price to pay the rent or because the seller doesn't have a clue about their wares, or sometimes both. But don't let crazy prices dissuade you from browsing the merch; their ignorance can lead to some pretty sweet deals.

Edited December 22, 2009 by Smatchmo

[AtariLeaf]

Hehe, reminds me of the Gibraltar Trade Center in my area.

For one, this dirt mall costs $2 to even get in, so I hardly ever go (unlike the Taylor Trade Center, which I go to weekly and 9/10 buy something) but the vendors there are straight up hoarders.

Some of the vendors there have had some of the same games and systems for the past 6+ years!

I don't know how they are surviving other than modern game or DVD sales.

$65 for a sega CD? I saw a Sega with CD & 32x + a game for $40 at TTC.

There was also a vendor there with Final Doom in a cracked case and a scratched up disk, wanted $45, also Command & Conquer for $35, which was also in barely acceptable condition.

 

And as always, when you approach them about their prices, they try to pull that "I bought it for more" or "ebay prices.." crap, when I know full and well I could easily get both games together for $45. I walked away saying "You should lower your prices, you'll get more sales".

 

Wow, I remember going there in the early 90's. I did buy a lot of Atari games there but the prices I'm sure were a lot more respectable then as opposed to now. I remember that place being filthy back then too, I can only imagine what its like now.

[Zap!]

You guys should thank your lucky stars you have a store that sells 2600 games. In my mall, the oldest systems they sell for is PS2/X-Box/GC. An expensive classic store is still better than no classic store.

[Videogamecollector123]

I generally deal on the internet but I have been to three classic game stores, one here in Atlanta is called Console Concepts and they have a quite massive inventory that I feel is reasonably priced. Problem is I can't drive and they recently moved farther away then before. There was another one in Scranton that I forget the name of but it was small and also sold movies. I bought a few 2600 games from them for about a buck each, their problem is they keep their entire 2600 inventory next to a window that gets plenty of sun, the copy of Battlezone I got from them is noticebly faded. In chicago there is a place called The Game Store, it is a pretty cool place with some reasonably priced games and a massive selction, it's the only store I've seen a Vectrex in(although the one they had was really dusty due to being kept on the floor under some wire shelves)

[STICH666]

At least everyone's finally forgotten about that Antiques Roadshow episode...

Wait what happened? I never heard of that.

 

Edit: Watched the clip on youtube. HOLY **** DID HE JUST SAY A 4 SWITCH WAS WORTH FROM $100 TO $200!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited December 22, 2009 by STICH666