Today's Trade-Ins [DP Store]

[TonyTheTiger]

Just for the record, if I find Angry Video Game Nerd giving grief to G-Loc I'm boycotting him.

[digitalpress]

Out late last night so filling in here. A day of many trade-ins. Thinking about it now, I know I'm leaving some good stuff out, this will be the problem with doing this "the day after". Still, a few things I can remember:

Small NES Collection - 2 consoles, 6 controllers, about 50 games (all loose). Overall great quality of titles. All 3 Ninja Gaidens, Tyson's Punch-Out plus non-Tyson Punch-Out, Super Mario 1-3, all of the Ninja Turtles games. Older guy whose youngest kid is now 22 and has "moved on to computers".

Saturn House of the Dead (complete) - import, though. Traded in by one of our forum members, as was...

Stella Gets A New Brain (complete) - anyone remember this? I haven't seen one in years and have no idea what it's worth anymore, but for Atari 2600 users who have a Starpath Supercharger, this was the first really cool thing to come out in years when it was released what, ten years ago now?

[thegardentool]

This is a really cool thread to share and interact with the online community. I'm sure as you share more titles you get with the members that they'll plead to try and get you to set up an online store. :)

I wish there were more indy stores around me. I mostly try to find older games at pawn shops because we are flooded with Gamestops/EB Games. There are quite a bit of Game Xchanges around here but they seem to only have a lot of common games. Vintage Stock usually has the best oldies but they price a bit higher than eBay so their stock sits for awhile. They did just open up two more stores in the area so they must be making some good money. I can think of one indy store that opened up not long ago so most of their stuff is post-playstation. Anything before that they price pretty high.

On a side note, how far is the store from Fort Dix? Unfornuately, I might be there in about a year. If it isn't too far I'll go check it out. I won't have a personal vehicle so I'd have to take a taxi or what not so if its expensive I might just get to check it out once.

[Bertie Bott]

Today I got a free Game Gear from Joe :D
cause im cool

Hey Joe when can I drop by and get a free Saturn? :P

[digitalpress]

Light trade ins today. Sundays are hit-and-miss like this. As I've mentioned before, normally 3 (sales) to 1 (trade-ins). today was 10 to 1. So...

GameCube Interactive Demo Disc 34 (complete) - no idea what's on this, it never tells you on the box, but these disappear at every NAVA meeting so I guess there's someone really interested, and they're rarely traded in.

GameCube Game Boy Player (complete with disc) - I'm always happy to get these as they move out really fast too (and they're easy to sell, I mean COME ON YOU CAN PLAY ALL YOUR GAME BOY GAMES ON TV). The disc doesn't even need to be re-surfaced. Bonus!

[Fuzzball24]

Light trade ins today. Sundays are hit-and-miss like this. As I've mentioned before, normally 3 (sales) to 1 (trade-ins). today was 10 to 1. So...

GameCube Interactive Demo Disc 34 (complete) - no idea what's on this, it never tells you on the box, but these disappear at every NAVA meeting so I guess there's someone really interested, and they're rarely traded in.

GameCube Game Boy Player (complete with disc) - I'm always happy to get these as they move out really fast too (and they're easy to sell, I mean COME ON YOU CAN PLAY ALL YOUR GAME BOY GAMES ON TV). The disc doesn't even need to be re-surfaced. Bonus!

Is that demo disk the one with Sonic on it? If so, I've seen it before. :\

I think it was given away with a magazine or something.

[Kuros]

Gamecube Gameboy Players are great. I was lucky enough to find a silver japanese one at my local gamestop, complete with disc.

It runs fine with a US disc, it seems that all that's needed is a disc to translate the info from the player to the Gamecube.

[DigitalSpace]

I think it was given away with a magazine or something.

Nope, the interactive demo discs are the retail demo discs used on Gamecube kiosks.

I should get a Game Boy Player one of these days...

[digitalpress]

Gamecube Gameboy Players are great. I was lucky enough to find a silver japanese one at my local gamestop, complete with disc.

It runs fine with a US disc, it seems that all that's needed is a disc to translate the info from the player to the Gamecube.

Well sure... GameCube hardware is universal. But you need a US disc to play on your US system. Try running a JPN GameCube Player disc and see what happens, not good.

[JerseyDevil65]

On a side note, how far is the store from Fort Dix? Unfornuately, I might be there in about a year. If it isn't too far I'll go check it out. I won't have a personal vehicle so I'd have to take a taxi or what not so if its expensive I might just get to check it out once.

I used to make the drive to Fort Dix all the time, its about 75 miles or so to the store.

[schnuth]

Stella Gets A New Brain (complete) - anyone remember this? I haven't seen one in years and have no idea what it's worth anymore, but for Atari 2600 users who have a Starpath Supercharger, this was the first really cool thing to come out in years when it was released what, ten years ago now?

I still have mine and was wondering the same thing. It's a great collection of games and really handy to have on CD. Especially now when portable CD players are a dime a dozen at the thrift store. I picked one up specifically for playing my Stella disc. :)

Aaron

[Sanriostar]

Stella Gets A New Brain (complete) - anyone remember this? I haven't seen one in years and have no idea what it's worth anymore, but for Atari 2600 users who have a Starpath Supercharger, this was the first really cool thing to come out in years when it was released what, ten years ago now?


When Retro starts getting, well retro, I'm feeling that need for a rocker and Geritol.

[koster]

Stella Gets A New Brain (complete) - anyone remember this? I haven't seen one in years and have no idea what it's worth anymore, but for Atari 2600 users who have a Starpath Supercharger, this was the first really cool thing to come out in years when it was released what, ten years ago now?
Ahhh, the memories... This used to sell for mad money on Ebay, but you can still order it (sans manual, I think) for $5 from Hozer Video Games.

[Videogamerdaryll]

Here's my Stella/Starpath stuff..I think I've had this now for 6- 7 years...It's a good converstaion piece having it in with my 2600 items..I keep it on display but I myself have no clue of a value of it..Though this is not the stuff I had from back in the day I remember when it came out..I was NUTS over it..
.I wanted to play it over and over..

I was playing the cassette games back then and from what I can remember I kept having a hard time getting to the game that I wanted to play(it was sort of like Asteroids)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/Chris1/Misc%20Pictures/Stella001.jpg

[jcalder8]

I'll keep coming back to this thread just to wait for the first RockBand bundle to get traded in.

[digitalpress]

Today was disastrous in a sense - my register computer simply died. The good news is that the hard drive is fine but it certainly caused a few hours of stress. I had to keep the store closed until I could cobble together a solution. Thanks to the help of great friends (GrandAmChandler and Drexel923) who just happened to drop by early, the temporary solution got me up and running by 3pm and the store actually had a terrific sales day.

To be detailed better in my blog when the headache goes away.

So despite this, some very nice trade-ins today. The two best items were brought in late in the day by one of our forum members who was upgrading his PSP and brought us...

Saturn House of the Dead (complete) - haven't seen this one in the store in quite awhile. The disc is a little banged up but the box and manual are in great shape and the game plays fine.

NES Final Fantasy (complete) - always nice to get a complete one. All I have to do is figure out how to get all that stuff in its original box. It seems too fat to happen, and I may need to once again employ my dark arts.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Today was disastrous in a sense - my register computer simply died. The good news is that the hard drive is fine but it certainly caused a few hours of stress. I had to keep the store closed until I could cobble together a solution. Thanks to the help of great friends (GrandAmChandler and Drexel923) who just happened to drop by early, the temporary solution got me up and running by 3pm and the store actually had a terrific sales day.

To be detailed better in my blog when the headache goes away.

So despite this, some very nice trade-ins today. The two best items were brought in late in the day by one of our forum members who was upgrading his PSP and brought us...

Saturn House of the Dead (complete) - haven't seen this one in the store in quite awhile. The disc is a little banged up but the box and manual are in great shape and the game plays fine.

NES Final Fantasy (complete) - always nice to get a complete one. All I have to do is figure out how to get all that stuff in its original box. It seems too fat to happen, and I may need to once again employ my dark arts.

w00t I'm famous!

The "STAMINA" battery (as it's labeled on it's official Sony blister card) for the Slim PSP that I got from the above trade in is great. Rated at 20% higher life than the standard slim PSP battery, it also includes one Piano Black "Fat Battery/Slim PSP" Battery Door Cover and one Silver one (which I used on my Silver Slim) ... the small raised area that the battery creates is actually a rather nice contour on the right side.

The only drawback? The battery, being 2200 mAh vs 1200 mAh takes aproximately double the time to charge.

Still, not a bad trade off for 8 to 11 hours rated straight UMD game play time (and probably more with brightness set to half and volume less than full).

[digitalpress]

Good mix of stuff today. Nothing terribly spectacular but we continue to fill in the gaps left behind from the busy holiday season.

PS3 Time Crisis (complete) - first time traded in, which means I finally get to try it :) Traded in by a guy who says he played it once or twice and didn't like it, took the trade-in credit to buy the new Advance Wars game for DS.

[Videogamerdaryll]

I need to get my butt up there to buy somethings..I'm looking for some of the older/used 360 titles...like Kameo..and a 360 points card...

Hey Joe:

I got one of the Store Membership Cards that I think gets stamped after everytime I buy something there.../Sorry as I don't have it in hand,I think my wife has it as I have a tendancy to lose stuff..X_x.(I got the card last year 09 27 2007-from receipt
.... after buying a Halo 3 L-Ed set there..I'm Not sure if the Card carries over to this year?/or has an expiration date ?

[digitalpress]

I got one of the Store Membership Cards that I think gets stamped after everytime I buy something there.../Sorry as I don't have it in hand,I think my wife has it as I have a tendancy to lose stuff..X_x.(I got the card last year 09 27 2007-from receipt
.... after buying a Halo 3 L-Ed set there..I'm Not sure if the Card carries over to this year?/or has an expiration date ?

No expiration date. It expires when we've stamped out all the little logos!

[dsullo]

Hey I did not get a card? I will pick one up on Sat

[digitalpress]

N64 Fire Orange System (loose) - OK, nice condition and N64 systems are red hot around here, this is nice to have.

PS1 Mega Man Legends 2 (complete) - in nice shape. We haven't had this one in awhile. Great game and often overlooked even by the PS1 crowd.

Mike told me others but I've already forgotten - the pitfall of a day off in this thread.

[RadiantSvgun]

I've actually been looking for Megaman Legends 2 for about 2 years.

[Ryaan1234]

PS1 Mega Man Legends 2 (complete) - in nice shape. We haven't had this one in awhile. Great game and often overlooked even by the PS1 crowd.


Amen! That is one of my all-time favorite PS1 games!

[Kuros]

Well sure... GameCube hardware is universal. But you need a US disc to play on your US system. Try running a JPN GameCube Player disc and see what happens, not good.

Already tried, just couldn't read the disc. :)

[Vectorman0]

Mike told me others but I've already forgotten - the pitfall of a day off in this thread.

Now expecting a straight month of Activision quotes from you. One every day!

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

Joe

How is your store in terms of Sega cd stock ? I also wonder if you have good prices on anything listed in my want list wink wink nudge nuddge

[digitalpress]

Most notable trade-in today:

PS2 Time Crisis 3 (complete w/GunCon 2) - complete in box. The disc needs to be resurfaced but overall good condition. Better still, it was traded in with both Time Crisis 2 and Crisis Zone which will make for a very nice little bundle (I love making interesting, relevant bundles). Traded in by a high school kid who's fairly hardcore, not sure why he's parting with this stuff, Maryah took this one.

[digitalpress]

Ack... we had to reject a 60GB PS3 because the seller wanted cash and at the time we simply didn't have the cash in the register, so that COULD be tomorrow's big trade-in, but tomorrow is NAVA, so one never knows. We did take in a 40GB PS3 earlier, which means we now have more PS3 used systems than PS2 used systems. Otherwise:

XBox 360 Burnout Paradise (complete) - the game just came out three days ago. I love when this happens because it means I get to try a new game out.

[digitalpress]

Oops, looks like I missed a few days here. NAVA will do that, let me catch up a little.

Vectrex 3D Minestorm (loose) - would have been nice if it were included in the original box with the 3D glasses, but this one's tough to find in any case. Traded in from someone at NAVA, I can't even remember who.

PS2 Futurama (complete) - in mint condition, one of those "I didn't know this was an uncommon" title.

Today practically nothing got traded in. A used pink DS Lite (in any other season than the month after Christmas, this is no big deal), SNES Donkey Kong Country 3 (loose), 2 copies of Super Smash Bros for N64 (always nice to have), but nothing really interesting to report.

[thetoxicone]

XBox 360 Burnout Paradise (complete) - the game just came out three days ago. I love when this happens because it means I get to try a new game out.

It amazes me how people trade in something that soon after it's released...unless of course it is stolen.

[GarrettCRW]

It amazes me how people trade in something that soon after it's released...unless of course it is stolen.

A reality made more possible the closer said game store is to one of the major chain stores.

[digitalpress]

Hmm, let's see. Today was just loads and loads of common stuff (hooray, there's no room left in my basement so off to the bargain bin it goes). One kinda interesting title:

GameCube ZOIDS (complete) - I didn't give this much thought at first, though I'd never seen it before. Ryan took the trade-in and since we didn't have any info on our register database looked it up on amazon.com. Seems this is one of those interesting uncommons. From the screen shots and description looks like an Armored Core type of game. Took it home to try out, may or may not stay in my collection. It IS in mint condition.

[JustRob]

I'm tempted to open a game store just to have a regular flow of shit flowing into my personal collection.

[Slate]

I'm tempted to open a game store just to have a regular flow of shit flowing into my personal collection.

Rephrashe that, Or you might just get what you said. People can be crazy.

[digitalpress]

Here we go.

PS3 Guitar Hero 3 (complete bundle) - ah, haven't had this in awhile. With PS3 popularity growing (at least in this area) this is a welcome addition. Plus, we got a good deal on it. If only we could score another Rock Band bundle.

GameCube Mario Party 7 (complete) - brings back memories of the early days of the store, when we actually had GameCube games in the island display case. Well anyway, we still give the system a lot of love, and this is a nice one to put on the shelf.

[Mayhem]

GameCube Mario Party 7 (complete) - brings back memories of the early days of the store, when we actually had GameCube games in the island display case. Well anyway, we still give the system a lot of love, and this is a nice one to put on the shelf.

Still with outer cardboard box and microphone? If so, I'll be impressed...!

[digitalpress]

Today:

PS2 Final Fantasy XI Set (complete, game hard drive, etc) - this has been traded in a few times and doesn't stick around too long. I'm usually surprised that there's still an active following for this, I couldn't get into it.

PSP Brave Story (complete) - minty! First time this one was traded in, and I remember after selling out of it initially (2 copies) I wasn't able to get it through my distributors again. So it's cool because it's different.

PS3 Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (complete) - Nice because I'll finally get to trade the game in. I've sold lots of 'em, surprised that I haven't seen any traded in until now.

[Dastardly Dylan]

hm...i have a N64 i wanna sell, it still works and all but i dont have the piece that covers the memory card..can i still trade it in?

[ProgrammingAce]

Today:

PS2 Final Fantasy XI Set (complete, game hard drive, etc) - this has been traded in a few times and doesn't stick around too long. I'm usually surprised that there's still an active following for this, I couldn't get into it.


There's a code inside that game that you need to use to register an account. Once that code is used, it can't be used again.

In other words, whoever buys that game off of you will be pretty pissed when they can't use it.

[digitalpress]

There's a code inside that game that you need to use to register an account. Once that code is used, it can't be used again.

In other words, whoever buys that game off of you will be pretty pissed when they can't use it.

Yep. And if they don't read the little sticker on it saying "Collector's Item Only: Not for Gaming".

C'mon, man, it's ME.

[digitalpress]

PS1 Legend of Mana (mint) - pretty uncommon RPG traded in by a fellow collector.

Saturn Sakura Wars (complete) - this import is in an oversize box and comes with a mouse and mouse pad. Interesting piece, part of a big box 'o stuff traded in by yet another cross-platform gamer.

[Kitsune Sniper]

There's a code inside that game that you need to use to register an account. Once that code is used, it can't be used again.

In other words, whoever buys that game off of you will be pretty pissed when they can't use it.

Wait, couldn't they just call Square Enix and ask for a new code?

[ProgrammingAce]

Yep. And if they don't read the little sticker on it saying "Collector's Item Only: Not for Gaming".

C'mon, man, it's ME.

Hehe, i should have known....

I was amazed when i saw blockbuster took that game in as used. I don't think they have the same sticker on their copies.

[TonyTheTiger]

Maybe I'm not remembering correctly but I could swear I've seen used copies of FFXI at Gamestop too. This is just going to become a more common problem as stuff starts to become more dependent on the internet and thus utilize various lockouts. I wonder how often someone buys a used 360 only to find out it's been banned from Live (possibly after the return period has expired).

[JerseyDevil65]

I wonder how often someone buys a used 360 only to find out it's been banned from Live (possibly after the return period has expired).

Why would a 360 be banned from Live?

[Mayhem]

If the previous owner did something naughty... Microsoft bans the 360 but not the Live ID, so the bannee is quite open to buy another 360 and use that instead.

[nate1749]

Why would a 360 be banned from Live?

More specifically (than naughty) it's when someone is running a hacked firmware (so they can play burned games, not retail ones). Occasionally Microsoft will do a sweep and ban all the people using the latest hacked firmware and the 360 (not the id of the user) can no longer be used on xbox live.

As for why do people trade in new games, that's easy. The return process at stores is a pain (and some dont' take them back if they're opened) and it's not that hard to beat a game in a day or two or to just know you're not going to like it. If I had a store like Joe's near me I'd go drop off new stuff that I'm done with, but I don't and I don't feel like getting $4 from gamestop. Too bad Joe's store doesn't take mail-in's.

Nate

[digitalpress]

A big PS1 day today, most notably:

PS1 Resident Evil 2 (complete) - actually, we got TWO of these in today, each from different customers. One is the dual shock version, the other is the original version. Pretty sure this is the first time we had two of this game traded in in the same week, let alone the same day.

PS1 Castlevania Symphony of the Night (complete) - a nice black label version of the game. Always looks nice in the case, until it's sold, which is always within a few days.

[bazariah]

I'm tempted to open a game store just to have a regular flow of shit flowing into my personal collection.


back in the day when i owned a game store i allways used to take the games i wanted home, and for the kids i had working for me i'd let them take games too (of course within their daily pay allowance)

anyways this one day a kid came in with a sega dreamcast and a bunch of games, which i declined as i was over stocked with dreamcast stuff and the games were common anyway. so a young lad who was working that saturday asked me if he could have his wages early, i agreed and he rushed out of the store.. he found the kid who wanted to sell the dc and he bought it off him here and then.. anyways the kid who worked for me got home and decided to play the machine (since we were too busy for me to allow him time to play it in store)while i spoke to his mother about an hour increase (due to his solid work) he set it all up, popped in a game then inserted a control.. powered up all well and good.. he pressed a button and literal shit seeped out under the pressure, it was totally digusting but amazing somebody had taken the ime to set that up lol

[digitalpress]

I do believe "trade-in of the year" at least so far, happened today. All of this from the same fellow.

NES Power Glove (complete) - loose but with all of those wonderful little documents that came with the 'glove. Seller also claims to have "a few" sealed Power Gloves. Can't say I've ever seen that before.

SNES Super Mario Kart (factory sealed) - It's the greatest hits version and the box is a little warped under the shrink but yep, it's legit. On any other day this would probably be "trade-in of the week". But...

SNES Donkey Kong Country 2 (factory sealed) - I rank it a little higher than the Mario Kart simply because it ISN'T a greatest hits. I have yet to really research this, so call it my collector's gut. And that's enough comments about my gut, alright already? I'd be thrilled with this but imagine NOT passing out when you see...

SNES Chrono Trigger (factory sealed) - Of all the "rare games" we get, we get this one the most. And yet, I can't say I've ever seen a factory sealed one after opening the one I got for Christmas years and years ago. It is in immaculate condition, coated with a fine layer of dust (not the kind that builds up in a really dusty place but the kind that eventually finds its way through a box or past a plastic cover after many many years). Recently saw one of these go for over a grand. This one is just about the same quality. I detected a tiny ding in the front side edge of the box. I'm not complaining about that.

A little commentary if I may. I had two or three clearly interested parties hovering around as this deal was made, hanging on my every word as the offer was made. I don't like when this happens, though I was fortunate this time to have QUIET bystanders. After the seller left, the inquiries began. I don't mind being on the stage but I do have a certain respect for my customers and there's a conflict of interest when a selling customer and a buying customer are both interested in the same item.

On the plus side, this gentleman has "lots more" and was happy with my offer. We even haggled a little and naturally I bent to his side of the deal - no way I was going to let this get away.

I might also add that I'm not sure if these items will go to my collection (I'm really not very interested in sealed games) or to the store. In a way, I'd feel guilty for the profit on items like these (leading me to simply hold them in my personal care) and yet on the other hand I could make up for a year's worth of purchasing mistakes - and trust me no matter how savvy you are, you'd make them in my shoes - in one fell swoop.

Still, quite an eventful trade-in, in what could be the beginning of a much larger deal.

[Sudo]

Oh man, I'd be so torn on whether to keep or sell that sealed copy of CT. It's one of my absolute favorite games of all time, but on the other hand, I could sure use an extra $1,000 or so. Decisions, decisions...

[darkhades]

:o I am speechless

[Geddon_jt]

Man, you must be getting some serious traffic in your store to get the trade ins you've been reporting lately. That's awesome. I always enjoy checking up on this thread and look forward to stopping by your store someday.

Way to go on that sealed Chrono Trigger, sounds like a beauty.

[TonyTheTiger]

What does it say about me when the Power Glove is what I find most attractive in that list?

[digitalpress]

Side note: up until that trade-in, I was ready to report that both Turok and Kingdom Under Fire (one and three week old games, respectively) for 360 had been traded in. While not a great "find" for anyone else, consider that I don't open ANY of the games that the store buys NEW, so I'm somewhat captive to my customers and wait for the first trade-ins. I'm off tomorrow so the timing is perfect, I've got two games I really wanted to try and will get plenty of time to devote to 'em tomorrow, as Mike reports on the day's trade-ins :)

[evil_genius]

You suck.

[jcalder8]

So who wants to open a store with me?

[Dastardly Dylan]

Power Glove?!?! I Want One!!!!

[digitalpress]

So who wants to open a store with me?

I'm sure it all sounds very easy and things just fall into my lap. I certainly encourage everyone here to follow their dream if this is truly what your dream is, but I'd also advise that you'd better be prepared to work your fingers to the bone and kick a whole lot of ass to succeed. I don't want to make it look too easy because I've been in the workforce for 25 years and these last two have been the most work of all. I will also say that when you're in your element and enjoying the "working fingers to bone" thing, it's well worth your time.

That is all.

[PapaStu]

I'm sure it all sounds very easy and things just fall into my lap. I certainly encourage everyone here to follow their dream if this is truly what your dream is, but I'd also advise that you'd better be prepared to work your fingers to the bone and kick a whole lot of ass to succeed. I don't want to make it look too easy because I've been in the workforce for 25 years and these last two have been the most work of all. I will also say that when you're in your element and enjoying the "working fingers to bone" thing, it's well worth your time.

That is all.

I'm ready to open DP West Coast anytime you are Joe. :D

[digitalpress]

I'm ready to open DP West Coast anytime you are Joe. :D

If you REALLY are, then I'm REALLY open to talk about it. If I were to even "quasi-franchise" I'd be happy to start it with someone I know and trust. Maybe we should chat offline?

[jcalder8]

I'm sure it all sounds very easy and things just fall into my lap. I certainly encourage everyone here to follow their dream if this is truly what your dream is, but I'd also advise that you'd better be prepared to work your fingers to the bone and kick a whole lot of ass to succeed. I don't want to make it look too easy because I've been in the workforce for 25 years and these last two have been the most work of all. I will also say that when you're in your element and enjoying the "working fingers to bone" thing, it's well worth your time.

That is all.
I have seen someone go through the highs and lows of video game stores. I'm sure that it is very hard work and that hard work is paying off with what people are trading in. I know that I could never run a store like that because I'd always be second guessing myself...... but these trades sure make me want to :wink 2:

[Kitsune Sniper]

I'm ready to open DP West Coast anytime you are Joe. :D

DP Mexico, here we go!

(As if. Stupid laws would leave me penniless in a week.)

[digitalpress]

Just remember that for every Chrono Trigger there are 1000 Need For Speed Undergrounds, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4's, Super Truck Racing's and scratched-beyond-belief Grand Theft Auto III's. I take them in though I don't want them, knowing that the word-of-mouth "this guy will buy ANYTHING" eventually spreads to the guy who owns the Chrono Trigger.

So to add to my last comment, it's not just work, it's patience and it's space. It's only very recently that I've started to turn ANYTHING away, but even that is pretty infrequent: pre-2006 sports games and scratched to hell common loose games and DVD's that I can't immediately re-sell (at the moment).

Anyone who's been in my store basement knows what I'm talking about. There's a second store just waiting to be born there - or some major initiative on eBay.

[strassy]

what do you give someone for a scratched copy of GTA 3, a nickel?

[digitalpress]

what do you give someone for a scratched copy of GTA 3, a nickel?

Rather than appear to be shafting our customers, we simply don't take things like these in trade anymore. I am overloaded on old sports games as well, I just explain that I don't have anywhere to put them!

[Mayhem]

To be fair if I was running a games store I'd have similar policies. No sports games over two years old for example.

[PingvinBlueJeans]

Anyone who's been in my store basement knows what I'm talking about. There's a second store just waiting to be born there - or some major initiative on eBay.

You definitely have enough to stock another store.

[WanganRunner]

You definitely have enough to stock another store.

You should just liquidate it online, but not on FeeBay, just whip up your own online store.

Like that "one dollar videogames" store that BRE set up awhile back. You'd already have several thousand potential customers from the membership base of the forum that is unable to shop in your brick-and-mortar store.

You'd be surprised how many takers you might get for some of that "undesirable" stuff if it was priced low enough.

[Volcanon]

eBay unfortunately sucks nowadays - they are AGAIN raising their fees, all the way up to 8% for stuff under $25, also known as almost every game. Combined with Pay(not)pal, and you are looking at 15%.

[geneshifter]

You should just liquidate it online, but not on FeeBay, just whip up your own online store.

Like that "one dollar videogames" store that BRE set up awhile back. You'd already have several thousand potential customers from the membership base of the forum that is unable to shop in your brick-and-mortar store.

You'd be surprised how many takers you might get for some of that "undesirable" stuff if it was priced low enough.

Yup, I would LOVE to buy from you Joe. I wish I lived closer so I could go to your store.

[dsullo]

Hey Joe I found you last few posts a great read. Congrats on getting in those rare gems. Funny we were just talking about this very topic a few weeks ago. You are working in the environment that you want to work in. Doing what you want to do. You work hard , I believe it. But you report to noone (except maybe your wife). Taking a passion/hobby like video games and turning it into a fulltime job is a huge undertaking. You have made it look easy. I wish I could do something similar but I have a wife and 2 kids that depend on me. So God Bless you, I will live vicariously through you. Keep the updates coming....

[blissfulnoise]

Yeah, while the idea of having a sealed Chrono Trigger fall into your lap is extremely appealing, keep in mind it's a "trade-in of the year" type of situation. And even then, at best, he'd make about $400 profit selling it on eBay. Not exactly "change your life" sort of money.

Also keep in mind that Joe has extremely high goodwill from the community both online and in his area. People seek him out to unload their old games. Having several friends who have and do own videogame stores, their situations aren't always similar. And just listening on all the crap they have to deal with on their distributers makes me remember why I never wanted to open my own store.

Every time my friends get cool things (Duo games, Boxed NES stuff, etc) there is a definite tinge of jealousy, but then I remember how much crap they have to sift through to get to the interesting stuff.

This thread is fun to keep track of to see what people bring in, but keep a bit of perspective on it.

[Cornelius]

Hey Joe I found you last few posts a great read. Congrats on getting in those rare gems. Funny we were just talking about this very topic a few weeks ago. You are working in the environment that you want to work in. Doing what you want to do. You work hard , I believe it. But you report to noone (except maybe your wife). Taking a passion/hobby like video games and turning it into a fulltime job is a huge undertaking. You have made it look easy. I wish I could do something similar but I have a wife and 2 kids that depend on me. So God Bless you, I will live vicariously through you. Keep the updates coming....
This is pretty much what I was thinking, along with some of what the previous post says. I'd only add that it is great that Joe has been able to keep his flair for the hobby. I know several people that turned a hobby they loved into a job they hate. That's why I'll only dream of opening a brew-pub, and never actually do it.