Have you got your hands on some old video games you'd like to sell, or perhaps you're an avid collector looking to give away your vast collection? In each case, a number of questions arise as to the best approach to take. Whether it's assessing their value or finding the best way to sell them, you have many options to consider. Our aim is to take the guesswork out of the equation, so you can make the decision that's right for you.
How do you determine the value of your items?
To determine the value of your items, several criteria need to be taken into account. Condition, demand and rarity are the main factors to consider when assessing the value of a collection.
An excellent starting point for a general estimate is the website www.pricecharting.com. This site lists video games sold on eBay and their own websites, and uses an algorithm to calculate the average sales price for each game, accessory and console.
In addition to offering several filters to refine your search, the site also features tools to calculate the value of your collection or track its value in real time. It's important to note that the value of games can be volatile, meaning that the value of your collection can fluctuate over time without you making any changes.
The value of a game or console can vary considerably depending on its condition. For example, a single cartridge of Mario Bros. 3 for the Nintendo NES in poor condition may sell for around $15, but if you own the cartridge with the original box, manual and all papers included, and they are in perfect condition, the game could sell for around $200. If you find a pristine copy still sealed in its original packaging, the game could even be worth over $2,000. It is therefore essential to determine the condition of each item before assessing its value.
To begin with, you need to determine whether your set is complete. In the industry, this means COMPLETE IN BOX (CIB), which can also mean Cartridge - Inserts (manual and various papers) - Manual. If one of these elements is missing, it will affect the value of the set.
Then we need to determine the condition. There's a general chart that lets us know in which category our item falls.
-New: The item is new, sealed and unused, in perfect condition.
-Like new: The item looks new but has been used. There is no visible wear.
-Very good: The item does not look new, but is in excellent condition. No obvious damage. There may be some wear, but it is minimal.
-Good: The item has been used, but is in good condition. Minimal but not major damage may be visible.
-Acceptable: The item shows obvious wear. It may have obvious damage, but its integrity is not affected.
Although the Price Charting website provides a good general estimate, an individual search on eBay is often the best way to determine the value of a set. To do this, perform a precise search for the item you wish to sell using specific terms, then apply the filter to display only sold items. This will enable you to see a list of games sold that are similar to yours, and thus determine a more accurate price estimate.
Selling your games
Now that you've established the value of each item, it's time to explore the different selling methods available. If you'd rather avoid the hassle of calculating value and dealing with potential buyers, I recommend you turn to a trusted store offering a transparent buy-back service, such as ours. Many other game stores offer this type of service, depending on your region.
You can simply send a detailed list to the store, or go directly to the store with your items to get an appraisal. Of course, these stores don't offer the market value, but rather a percentage of it, generally varying between 10% and 70%, but usually around 50%, depending on rarity, demand and product quality.
There are many advantages to using this type of service. Firstly, you receive your money immediately, without having to wait to find the right buyer. What's more, you avoid having to deal with several potential buyers, which can sometimes be tedious. What's more, a store like ours makes you a global offer for all your items, so you don't get stuck with less attractive, harder-to-sell items.
Another option is Facebook Marketplace, where you can try to sell your entire lot at once, or set an individual price for each item, as determined by you beforehand. It's also possible to use Facebook pages or groups specialized in selling video games.
Finally, eBay offers a global reach for selling your items, especially rarer or niche games. However, selling on eBay can be more complex, with high fees of around 15% for the video game category. Creating listings for each item can be time-consuming, and problems with buyers can sometimes arise. It's worth noting that in most cases, eBay will favor the buyer in the event of a dispute, even if you've fulfilled your obligations as a seller.
In conclusion, whether you want to sell your old video games or give away your collection more widely, it's crucial to take several factors into account to determine the best approach. Assessing the value of each item, taking into account its condition, rarity and market demand, is essential. Tools such as Price Charting can provide a general estimate, but individual research on platforms such as eBay can offer a more accurate perspective. Once the value has been established, you have several options for selling your games, whether using the services of a specialist store, opting for online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace or eBay. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences. Ultimately, the aim is to find the best solution for you to make the most of your video game collection.
