Does Goodwill actually sell games!??!??!

[Promophile]

In their stores, not in their online auctions, that is. For the past two years I've been visitng the two goodwills in my area. Granted, they are relatively new stores, only being in operation for about 5 years, but I have YET to find anything pre-PS1 in either location. Whats worse, they have the same video games they had when they first opened, and no others. I know them all by heart now. A PSX controller, Sims: Nights Out Expansion, Madden 2002 PS2, and a copy of morrowind PC. Thats it! Are my Goodwills just really sucky?

[Clong]

Just about 3 or 4 weeks ago. I went to a goodwill and picked up 6 Dreamcast games all in there original cases, some where scratched pretty badly and I had to game doctor them. But none the less after I docted them they all worked. Plus they were only 2 dollars a piece. The best 12 bucks I spent all month.

[ryborg]

Yes, they do, but almost every GW I've ever been to has sucked, even those that don't sell on the shopgoodwill.com site.

In years upon years of stopping by the closest location to me (it's right next to a plaza I frequent), I've only gotten a few good video game hauls. There have ALWAYS been stacks of Genesis sports games for $3+. They never get marked down and they never get sold. Awful.

I don't even go anymore. It's not worth my time. There are other, better thrift stores to go to.

[rustblackend]

I got several CIB NES games there not to long ago, nothing to amazing but they were in nice shape. Also got Lunar I and II for Sega CD CIB box there a few months ago.

[Sniderman]

I used to be able to stop into any local Goodwill and walk out with a handful - or more - of Atari carts. And 50% of the time, I'd also be able to find the system too. Those truly were the Good Ol' Days.

Lately though, I've been stumbling across Playstation games tucked in witht he music CDs. And not just a space disc or two - I'm talking complete, in good condition. Weird.

[JerseyDevil65]

They suffer from the same problem as any other store that sells older videogames, the amount of people who have classic games in their attic/basement is dwindling and when they do decide to sell the stuff, they are turning to E-Bay more and more.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

My local GW occasionally has some stuff. I have bought NES and Genesis games there before. Yesterday I saw that they had an Intellivision cart and a few TI99 carts.

JY

[Penguin]

Ive gotten a few good things from Goodwill, my best score being 2 Atari 2600 mini's and about 30 games for $30, all in great condition. A few Sega Saturn games and last week I got Mega Man X3, Super Mario Kart, Super Mario All Stars, and Castlevania 4 all lose for SNES for $3 a piece.

[thetoxicone]

Just a couple weeks ago I found an atari game case (fake wood drawer style like the old cassette tape holders) stuff with all the cd and cassette cases. It was filled with atari games best of all being a copy of tanks but no tanks (needed a little glue to put the label back). All that ran me was $2 for the case and about 14 games inside. At the same goodwill, I picked up ddr extreme 2 for ps2 for $5 and turned around and sold it for $25. The other two goodwill in my area are utter crap though

[Griking]

Goodwills in my area aren't that bad.

I picked up a bag of Atari parts and games just last night.

Got a pair of Joysticks, paddle controllers and 14 games (Including Robin Hood) for $9.99

I also generally find a lof of classic boxed PC games for $2.99 each.

[mailman187666]

I've gone to sooooo many goodwills and salvation armys, and have never seen more then one or two PS1 sports games if any games at all. I make my friends stop there sometimes and they look at me wierd and go "videogames? dude I think you just wanted to check out the middle aged women buying clothes."

[jferio]

My experience is it depends on the area more than the chain. The Goodwill down the street from me, I got a 4 switch 'woody' in the old Imagic case with about a dozen games and manual for $5 (woulda been $10 if it weren't for the sale that day) and an almost complete NES (no zapper) with a couple of extra games, including Mappyland. And I saw (but didn't get) an old Pong clone yesterday at the same store.

Still, I'll admit, the hunt's gotten a lot tougher even over the past couple of years.

[Gapporin]

My Goodwill seems to be the one of the last shopgoodwill.com holdouts. I've seen boxed/complete Genesis games, complete PSX games, loose N64 games, loose SNES games, etc. They also seem to get a lot of nice music in, so I make it a point to visit often.

[Pantechnicon]

My local Goodwill - the one that primarily deals with electronics - has sucked hard for about the last four or five years. The place is completely overrun by flea marketers, Ebay pimps and resellers from Mexico who drive all the way up here from Juarez for stuff. They all start queuing up a full two hours before the place even opens up, all the while I'm at work. It's practically impossible to find anything there beyond 2 or 3 loose Genesis sports carts. I have better luck at Savers or Thrift Town, but still not great luck like the salad days before Ebay.

[Muscelli]

Just about 3 or 4 weeks ago. I went to a goodwill and picked up 6 Dreamcast games all in there original cases, some where scratched pretty badly and I had to game doctor them. But none the less after I docted them they all worked. Plus they were only 2 dollars a piece. The best 12 bucks I spent all month.

Was this in Lansdale, by any chance?

[PentiumMMX]

Occasionally, I find stuff at my local Goodwill, but for the most part, I never find anything. When they do get some game stuff in, it's always sports games (Rarely does any good games come in, like Startropics II).

[hbkprm]

mostly pc

[carlcarlson]

I found a complete copy of Raid 2020 for the NES among the VHS tapes for $1 a few weeks ago. They also had about eight boxed Intellivision games. Before that I found a complete Dreamcast for $18. My most recent find was a bunch of jewel case PC rpgs. I got Pool of Radiance and Arcanum for $2 each. They had more, but I don't play PC much anymore so I passed on them.

[DKTheArcadeRat]

I've found tons of stuff in my goodwill stores, not all of it great but i tend to buy a game or 2 each time i go. You just have to look everywhere in the store for games, sometimes mixed in with VCR's and such you'll find systems. Sometimes Games mixed in with cd's and vhs tapes. They randomly place em in my stores, I think i have been to all but 4 of em in NJ lookin for games.

[bangtango]

To me, I'd chalk it up to less people turning in stuff than in previous years. I think over time, the idea that (some) old games are "valuable" is starting to sink in with people who used to turn in games by the bucketloads. I believe more people are holding onto their stuff which is why it is harder to find things at a Goodwill store.

Sure, ShopGoodwill.com doesn't help but part of the reason they use it is just to get a presence on the web for the organization. The money is better obviously but they DO have to go online and make their presence felt, like other similar groups, to stay relevant in this day and age. They have to do this regardless of how much money the auctions pull in. You also need to consider they can't just place giant lots of Atari/NES/SNES stuff into local stores that may not have the shelf space at the moment. No point in them sitting on it for 2-3 weeks waiting for good shelf space to be freed up in said stores, either.

The other thing is that a lot of the choice old stuff has already been turned in long before now. Why would large numbers of people who don't want the stuff just sit on Turbo Duo's, Colecovisions or a bunch of assorted games from that era for over 10-20 years before finally turning it all in during 2007? It still happens but it is few and far between compared to the 1990's when people were getting that stuff out of their attics or game rooms to make room for something else. Hence you see a lot more PS stuff, since it sold so well and many of those PS1 games that kids/adults have tired of or no longer use are now heading into the Goodwill stores.

[norkusa]

I've got 5 Goodwills near me that I hit up at least once a week. Of those 5, there's just one store that I find games at regularly. Mostly big-box PC games and PS1/DC stuff. The other stores consist mostly of overpriced Target clearance write-off's and used clothing. I did pick up a couple of $0.99 PS1 sports games at one of them this afternoon though.

Shopgoodwill.com is the main reason why it's so dry. I used to be friendly with one of the local Goodwill managers and she told me that her store is basically forced to sell all electronics and anything of value thru the site. Something about a quota they have to meet. Most stores here do it but there's a couple that don't. And checking the item locations, it seems like 20% of the game-related stuff that's listed comes from Goodwill of West Michigan. :roll:

Of course, this is nothing like the old days (7-8 years ago) where it was rare when I'd not see at least small stack of 2600 or NES carts every time I went. Ebay and Shopgoodwill.com really killed it though.

[InsaneDavid]

Yeah, they sell games - that is when they actually get to the sales floor and aren't snapped up and hauled away by their employees when they're sorting their donations.

[atariboy]

I don't seem to find alot of games like I used to but I do seem to find alot of strategy guides in the local good wills I frequent, I've probably found between 20-30 guides since January, for about $.45 - $.95 apeice. I go expecting to find strategy guides not games.

[8-bitNesMan]

Yeah, they sell games - that is when they actually get to the sales floor and aren't snapped up and hauled away by their employees when they're sorting their donations.

Would you do it differently in that position? I'm sure that's probably the highlight of working there for some of the workers...

[boatofcar]

To me, I'd chalk it up to less people turning in stuff than in previous years. I think over time, the idea that (some) old games are "valuable" is starting to sink in with people who used to turn in games by the bucketloads. I believe more people are holding onto their stuff which is why it is harder to find things at a Goodwill store.


I think this is the case too, more than eBay hoarders. Just think about how many people saw the episode of antiques roadshow with an Atari 2600 (appraised at $50) and games ($5 each, Combat and Pac Man), or at least heard about it from someone who was over at their house and looking through stuff in their basement.

Of course, I've always been blessed with healthy thrift scenes here in the VA beach area. Piles and piles of games for $1. I'd be tempted to pick up the VCS titles there, but if you haven't noticed, Atari games have gone the way of Genesis sports carts in terms of ebay value.

[Aussie2B]

I've gotten a fair bit of stuff over the years, but no huge hauls or anything extremely impressive. I also keep an eye out for lots of different video game-related items, so instead of games or systems, I'll come across strategy guides, cases, and even plushies. I'd say about half of the time I'll leave empty-handed, while the other half I'll see maybe 10 items of interest tops and find maybe 4 or 5 worth buying tops (2 or 3 is more average).

My best Goodwill find was just a few weeks ago when I picked up a copy of The Neverhood for PC for $2.99 and sold it on eBay a couple days ago for $50. This summer I've mostly just been coming across PC stuff.

[Vinnysdad]

The Goodwill near me always has something game related. I always find games or accessories. This one always gets new items from Target and always has the newest PC games for $10 or less brand new and sealed. Too bad I dont play PC games.

[boatofcar]

The Goodwill near me always has something game related. I always find games or accessories. This one always gets new items from Target and always has the newest PC games for $10 or less brand new and sealed. Too bad I dont play PC games.

It was at Value Village instead of Goodwill, but your post reminded me of my greatest thrift store find ever.

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/901/img0335ke0.jpg

$10, brand new and sealed. Oh yeah :rocker:

[Cryomancer]

I know that goodwill workers skim games. I used to do it. The company policy is technically "don't steal", but when your manager says stuff like "don't take those boots, i'm saving those" and "help me load this into my car"....well, that poor Vectrex sitting in the rain before open hours needs a good home.

For awhile there my local goodwill and salvation army had REALLY NICE SHAPE complete classic PC games for like, 2 or 3 bucks a pop. I got lots of classic big-name adventure games for dirt cheap, and they actually were even selling them properly! They had the whole game in a plastic bag, so you could see the contents, and stickers on the BAG and not the boxes. Of course, it's never been the same since....

[Steve W]

In the last year, the Goodwill I usually hit has gotten less and less videogame stuff. Now, you are extremely lucky to find an old broken Genesis gamepad. I used to find loads of SMS games tucked into the VHS shelves. I've found a decent amount of CD-i software, Sega CD games, Dreamcast stuff, and a few Memorex VIS programs. They had a great little variety. Now, nothing at all.

Goodwill stores around me are becoming like Salvation Army stores. I have found virtually nothing in Sally Army stores in all the years I've looked in them. And now Goodwill is just about on my "drive past" list like all SA stores.

[Slate]

I don't see games in goodwills very often (Excluding the 5 overpriced sports games in my local goodwill) But when I do, It is usually good. I found lots of stuff, Like 72 games for $18 and a virtual boy for $2.50. (And i'm not kidding)

[ryborg]

It was at Value Village instead of Goodwill, but your post reminded me of my greatest thrift store find ever.

Hey, I found the exact same thing 4-5 years ago at a thrift store, but I paid $1.48. I needed the cash, so I eventually sold it during the holidays for ~$250. Not a bad profit. That same trip, I also picked up a sealed Press Your Luck PC game, which also sold for a tidy profit.

The thrift stores in my area are amazing; just not GW.


Yeah, they sell games - that is when they actually get to the sales floor and aren't snapped up and hauled away by their employees when they're sorting their donations.

Everyone who works at my local GWs are bluehairs who are confused by 8-track technology, let alone video games. The one woman calls all video game merchandise "computers." I don't think these are the people keeping all the rare NES carts for themselves.

[swlovinist]

As much as I bitch about games going up in price at these places, there has been a good spell recently. I scored some dreamcast games(non sports) for 3.99 a piece as well as a 7800 for $3! Finding old games is tougher, but not completely dead yet. There was also a some Nes, Snes and N64 games that were good too. Nothing rare, but a good deal for those families who are looking for games on a budget. I just feel lucky finding anything these days, even if I already have it.

[bangtango]

You will always see a lot of PC/Mac games at a Goodwill store because you'd be surprised as to how many people have no idea what computer they can be used in. 70-80% of the people I talk to at stores which sell used products, usually the clerks or owners, can't differentiate between a PC or a Mac. Funny thing is just about all of those people probably have a computer at home which would run a lot of those games.

[TNTPLUST]

There are four goodwills in my area. Only one actually still sells carts. The one that does has a Goodwill "Computer" store attached. There rarely is anything good. About a year ago I picked up a few 5200 carts (mostly Commons). Unfortunently if you talk to the staff they hold most of that stuff for their online store. On a side note their pricing isnt really good. They tend to price on the really high side and then are suprised that it doesnt sell. On my last visit they were selling NES/Genesis carts for $7.99 (all were common). Hardware wise they dad 6 N64's, 1 1rst gen genesis, 1 Pikachu N64, for $19.99 san cords or controllers.

[Nostalgicblight]

Crazy stuff: The one that was near me before I moved had only been up for a couple of months. Even buisnesses contributed to get their store running.

I found Diablo II for four dollars, not a scratch on it. I found a few other games for the Genesis, too.

Be careful, though. I found among the treasure some trash, as well, such as a case for The Sims, but the game inside was disk one for the Deluxe Edition. Different serial numbers, rendering the disk useless.

Just watch what you are looking for.

[Cornelius]

The GW nearest me charges quite a bit too much for it to really be worthwhile to stop there, though I do anyway. Even their regular music CDs they have at 4.99 each... wth? Any cart goes in the glass case where the silent auctions are, but aren't for auction. Instead you have to get someone to open it for you to look because the whole bottom part is just a mound of mixed games and DVDs. I guess one of the only reasons I go back is that one of the workers saw I was buying a boxed Gradius and asked if I saw the 'other one'. She went and pulled a boxed Dick Tracy out of the VHS tapes for me. Nothing special game-wise, but still pretty cool that she bothered. Crazy thing is that people buy it all, cause the stock on any and all carts is always changing very fast.

[MF_Luder]

They have the same stuff as when they first opened? Odd, the Goodwills in my area remove everything off the floor that hasn't sold after a month.

My uncle is a Goodwill district manager in my area, and my younger brother once worked at my local store. They've both told me stories of how the place is run. You would cry if you knew how much stuff they throw away. They get so many donations that they just can't put it all on the floor. Plus they don't have the man-power to sift throw all that stuff. So sometimes boxes go out the back into the dumpsters just as fast as they come in the front door. They easily fill at least one dumpster each day. So it's also possible that the manager of that store believes that old video games won't sell, so he has them all tossed out immediately. Either that or you have a fellow collector or collectors who are grabbing up everything before you ever see it (heck, maybe it's even an employee). Or maybe you live in some primitive area that didn't get electricity or video games until the late 90s.

[exit]

The best thing I was able to find at the Salvation Army was Typing of the Dead. Everything else is either stolen games/CDs, sports/racing games, or discs scratched to hell. I did see some kid buy 3 Genesis games for $3 a piece and judging by the way him and his mother looked, I'm sure they put them right on e-bay.

[wrldstrman]

Our goodwill gets a fair amount of stuff but you have to buy it from the game store in the mall because thats where they all end up after the goodwill employess take them.

[PallarAndersVisa]

you cant find much at my goodwills anymore, but upon reading this thread, i decided to walk on down to the local store and I found Command and Conquer 3, pc DVD for $5, complete with cd key, poster, inserts and manual.

[ianoid]

My experience is it depends on the area more than the chain.

I think this is most accurate.

Goodwills are run under regional authority. If a region is run better than another, less will be tossed, less will be skimmed, and generally more games will make it to the floor. Bizzarely, the best thrifts are often the best run thrifts.

I have lived in many places. Thrifted many towns. -que music- And some areas are clearly way way better than others. When I lived in Seattle, the goodwill system was very very good. In Long Beach, CA, it was nearly awful. Here in Chicago, it's middle of the road. For some reason, everywhere, Goodwill is inundated with (to coin a new thrifting expression) Waiters. There are always semi-indolent near-seniors waiting for the trolleys to pull up and attack them. I don't believe in their efficiency.

I think that the biggest threat at these Thrifts isn't the patrons, it's the staff stealing and dumping.

[Gapporin]

For some reason, everywhere, Goodwill is inundated with (to coin a new thrifting expression) Waiters. There are always semi-indolent near-seniors waiting for the trolleys to pull up and attack them. I don't believe in their efficiency.

That's funny, I usually just called them "vultures".

[InsaneDavid]

I think that the biggest threat at these Thrifts isn't the patrons, it's the staff stealing and dumping.

I couldn't have said it better.

[Slate]

I think that the biggest threat at these Thrifts isn't the patrons, it's the staff stealing and dumping.

I never thought of that. But then again, I did buy a virtual boy for $2.50 from a goodwill, So that should say something.

[willowmoon93]

Overall the past couple of months have sucked when it comes to Goodwill stores around here. I have had a few decent finds here & there this summer but nothing like last year. And one of the other local thrift store chains puts most of their video game stuff out on ebay too. So I hardly find much anymore locally these days.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

Yes Goodwill still does sell video games! I was in one outside the Orlando area just 3 or 4 days ago, and found a dirty N64 with one grey controller, two power supplies, and Castlevania 64 for 19.99. I rescued it and had every intention of selling it after I cleaned it up and tested it... But I had it up on ebay for a day and decided to take it down and hold onto it for a little while. You can't get much for them now anyway, because there doesn't seem to be a lot of love for them. Oh well, I've enjoyed the hell out of bond and perfect dark... and probably spent more time with those games than any in recent memory. I also found a near mint and complete copy (@ the same store) of Nintendogs DS (for 2.99) that I put on ebay, because I don't have a DS. That will justify me keeping a second N64 console for now, until I find out what to do with it. By the way I found the Nintendogs game in a CD bin with some beatup PSX games. Check back every two or so weeks, because none of these games were there just 2 weeks prior.

And today I stopped at a Saver and picked up a dirty Dreamcast (for $15) with a controller, a burned Pacman disc in it, but without AV cables and power cord. Hopefully it isn't dead... I'll see in the next few days. At the same Saver they had a dozen or so Coleco and Atari Cartridges, but I don't have much interest in them.

[cyberfluxor]

Generally thrift stores around here aren't a great place to find video games for consoles, PC however sometimes there'll be a large stack that comes in but end up being $3 each, eventually $1 if you wait. I mainly venture into thrifts to look at records and electronics for they have some of the best deals. Furniture is also a good reason to check them out incase you need another shelf to put games on.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

Yep... I'm typing on a 25 dollar computer desk from Goodwill. And I found some Shure Ipod headphones at one the other day that go for about 70-100 dollars... I guess I've heard that Target sends them their returns and they sell them cheap... I paid 4 bucks for them and they work great... Also a good place to find cheap video cables (again from closeouts at chain stores) because it's always good to have a few extra video and audio cables laying around.