Today's Trade-Ins [DP Store]

[Cornelius]

at best, he'd make about $400 profit selling it on eBay. Not exactly "change your life" sort of money.

You think he paid ~600 for it? I'm curious, but that's one of those things I wouldn't actually ask, kind of like a woman and her age.

[digitalpress]

Today, lots of trade-ins but nothing particularly interesting. I'll list a few of the items but without the "I thought this was cool" bold text and commentary :)

PS2 Resident Evil 4 Chainsaw Controller
PS2 Vampire Night (complete)
GameCube Super Smash Bros Melee (compete)

... and ironically, two items that have already been mentioned.

GameCube Mario Party 7 (complete, yes, with the box and mic)
PS2 Final Fantasy XI (complete kit with hard drive, yes I'll put a "collectors only" sticker on it)

I told the Chrono Trigger guy I'd be back in the store Thursday thru Saturday, so maybe he'll turn up again and make for a more interesting post!

[blissfulnoise]

You think he paid ~600 for it? I'm curious, but that's one of those things I wouldn't actually ask, kind of like a woman and her age.

I wasn't sure what you meant, but I started to look around. I guess the last one went went for a grand. That's pretty impressive. Maybe not duplicatable, but impressive.

Regardless I'll stand by my point wether it's $900, $400, $999 in profit or otherwise.

[evil_genius]

Maybe he'll bring an NWC next time.

[TonyTheTiger]

Maybe he'll bring an NWC next time.

What's funny is that an NWC cart is something he could probably wave around above his head in the seediest part of town and have no trouble at all. But if anyone within 15 feet of Digital Press even thinks he has something like that in his pocket he just might get mugged. Strange, huh?

[RadiantSvgun]

Today, lots of trade-ins but nothing particularly interesting. I'll list a few of the items but without the "I thought this was cool" bold text and commentary :)


No slants anymore? I'm surprised that no Neo-geo stuff has come through the store. Do you not get it traded in the store that often?

[digitalpress]

Today.

Wii System (complete but unboxed) - traded in along with Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Strikers Charged, Sonic and Mario Olympics, and Need For Speed Carbon. Everything was in great shape. Unfortunately I think this was stolen. The two guys that brought this in seem to come up with this kind of stuff a little too often and I look at things like profiles on handhelds and Mii characters on Wii systems - and none of these ever "match". I can't prove anything but it leaves me with an unsettling feeling.

[mnbren05]

Nice. Their is a guy who comes to the local fast food joints offering to sell systems that he "Just found in the newspaper ads" "Or my brother/sister/mother in law didn't want anymore". Selling unboxed Wii's for $220 or a DS for $100. Tempting, but I just cannot allow myself to buy any of them for fear they are stolen.

[TonyTheTiger]

Today.

Wii System (complete but unboxed) - traded in along with Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Strikers Charged, Sonic and Mario Olympics, and Need For Speed Carbon. Everything was in great shape. Unfortunately I think this was stolen. The two guys that brought this in seem to come up with this kind of stuff a little too often and I look at things like profiles on handhelds and Mii characters on Wii systems - and none of these ever "match". I can't prove anything but it leaves me with an unsettling feeling.

You don't have to worry about being charged with accepting stolen goods if that's what you're worried about. For that to happen you pretty much have to know it's stolen. But obviously you're talking more about moral concerns. I think it's kind of a tricky situation. On one hand you can say that you aren't accepting whatever they bring in and make up a reason why. Of course when they're bringing you a Wii it becomes hard to say that you've got too many as it is. The other option is to just come out and say you think the stuff is hot but then you're in the bad position of risking being wrong and not only insulting the guys bringing the stuff in but also risking word spreading that you're the store that makes false accusations.

[Mianrtcv]

I can't prove anything but it leaves me with an unsettling feeling.

I agree. Tough to deal with this situation. Primarily because you don't know what the truth is, suspicions aside. Just keep an eye out for their patterns if they develop. Do they come in at certain times/days. If they are thieves, as we all know thieves are opportunists that do bite the hand that feeds. I'd be curious to catch a glimpse of them on the store cam.

EDIT: Just caught the tigers comment. As far as possesion of stolen property issues the law is murky and not always so clear. When a prosecutor sees a set of circumstances he may see potential for a conviction one way or the other and that is their goal...
Case in point: if this seller is a thief and gets caught... he says he is just a pawn for his fences and tries to give up other persons that bought his items. Thieves always blame... someone else!!! Just a slant on the law. Not always a level playing field.

[otaku]

morally I don't see a problem with it if you do not know who it belongs to or for a fact that it was stolen. That is a nice trade in you managed to get there. I'm glad I sold my wii when I did a week ago cause now I'm getting them in the store regularly

[Snapple]

You should use the knowledge that it's stolen to your advantage. Be like, "I don't know. I've had trouble with systems like these lately. Too many stolen Wiis getting passed off. But I might be able to take it off your hands... for 40% less than what you're asking."

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I've been in-store when Joe has dealt with shady trade ins, and he handles them like a pro.

He obviously knows the scams and can press a thief to trip-up on themselves and reveal the holes in their claimed "ownership" like David Caruso catching a killer on an episode of C.S.I. Miami.

Okay ... I've never actually SEEN an episode of C.S.I. Miami, but in my mind, David Caruso catches all the killers with the same jene se qua that Joe uses when he tells a sketchy guy trying to sell a DS Lite that he knows it's totally stolen property.

[Oobgarm]

I used to see stuff like that a lot in my Funco/GameStop years. Once we caught wind of a potential thief trading stuff in, we just declined their future trades. I'd just tell the guys that you appreciate the fact that they want to trade in with you, but you can't take their stuff anymore. You're a mighty clever fellow, so I'm sure you can find an excellent reason to tell them.

Fun story: I had one guy come in with a huge stack of 50 or so disc-only PS2 games. And we're talking multiples of hot titles, all in perfect shape. I asked the guy where he got them, and he told me it didn't matter, he just wanted cash for the trade-in. He even wanted me to be 'careful' with the discs as I looked through them. I turned him down and told him that I was unsure of how he came into possession of the discs, so I wasn't about to take them. I noted that our trade-in policy gave me the right to refuse a trade for any reason, but that didn't stop the guy(and his tagalong buddy) from getting really upset, then calming down and trying to get me to take in 'just a couple'.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

I know that in some areas, that is why all stores that take games in trade can only deal with people over 18 with ID, and must adhere to all laws pertaining to pawn shops. I guess that involves reporting purchases to police and holding systems for a certain amount of time before they go out on the floor for sale so that the serial numbers can be checked against the list of reported stolen goods.

JY

[brykasch]

Yep in Missouri you have to have to be 18 and have a id or a parent willing to sign for you. Makes things alot easier. I know myself I keep track of serial numbers for my consoles in case something god forbid happens. Which did happen recently put thats another post.

[gepeto]

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.

Man this is the stuff dreams are made of. I know when pondering opening the store one had to say I can't wait see what rare goodies I can get on trade in. The rewards of taking the risks..



I might of asked this before. So now that it has been a few years how do you smell the roses. When you are off,

How has (The so called turning off the blackberry) gone.
Vacations and what not. I was watching a reality show this man had his business. He went to the island but he was on the phone so much and watching via laptop it was like he was working. It is like if you have a baby you don't want to leave her.

Is the store on auto pilot or are there alot of nights of sitting at the table when the shop closes hammering out the logistics. Paying off the politicians :)

[Nate Nanjo]

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

I'd open a Southeast DP, Play n' Trade is starting to sadden me here. Regardless, I still plan on opening a gamestore here sometime in the future.

[digitalpress]

So now that it has been a few years how do you smell the roses. When you are off,

How has (The so called turning off the blackberry) gone.
Vacations and what not. I was watching a reality show this man had his business. He went to the island but he was on the phone so much and watching via laptop it was like he was working. It is like if you have a baby you don't want to leave her.

It's only gotten better over time. I don't need to be there at 7am to get things squared away for the day ahead. There are "hiccups" (recently I've had all kinds of computer issues) but nothing our customers would notice and as a small organization it's pretty easy to get the small system back up to speed, if not better as a result.

And THIS is the biggest difference between my days in corporate America and my recent career - flexibility and dexterity. I can bend the rules when needed, break 'em and make new ones when experience teaches me to do so, and not have to get through red tape, written reports, upper management, human resources, feasibility studies, etc. to get things done. I can get them done NOW.

As for the "baby you don't want to leave", it was like that for awhile but I really trust my team and I believe I've trained them to be as flexible as I am, to "wing it" without fear of failure. If you've been reading my work for awhile you know that I was a training specialist for quite some time in my past life. That skill has never been more necessary and productive as it is now. I believe everyone who works with me at the store would tell you on the side - I teach them everything they're willing to learn. Every tip, every facet from top to bottom. What they wish to do with that info is up to them. So far, the results have been great.


Is the store on auto pilot or are there alot of nights of sitting at the table when the shop closes hammering out the logistics. Paying off the politicians :)

It's pretty much auto-pilot. Naturally I keep pushing my team to do more, but I'm never worried that the store won't be operating as well without me there.

I don't really take vacations but I never did before either, it's not my thing. However, I do like days off and I get more of them now than I did in the past. I'm in the store 4 days a week and at times less (like this past August where I literally only worked 1 day a week - got a lot of gaming in then :))

So all's well.

Today's trade-ins:

Saturn imports (complete) - lumped all into one listing here, about a dozen Saturn games. The best of the stuff was Shining Wisdom and Dragon Force, a few other English-friendly titles like Enemy Zero were in there, most of the games were either hentai, dating sims, or heavily Japanese adventure games. Not a major score but an interesting lot.

We also received the second XBox 360 in two days but what's interesting is that BOTH sellers were trading in for a PS3, which still seems unusual to me but I'm glad to see the system finally getting some local interest.

[Flashback2012]

I know that in some areas, that is why all stores that take games in trade can only deal with people over 18 with ID, and must adhere to all laws pertaining to pawn shops. I guess that involves reporting purchases to police and holding systems for a certain amount of time before they go out on the floor for sale so that the serial numbers can be checked against the list of reported stolen goods.

JY

I flat out refuse to accept trade-ins from anyone unless they surrender a valid driver's license or state ID card. I couldn't care less if they're looking to get an in-store credit or a bundle of cash for their items, I treat all traders the same. I am not a mind reader and cannot discern who did or did not steal the goods they're offering me. My sentiment is it's better to be safe than sorry and have the information on hand just in case.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Prior to Funcoland being bought out by Software Etc. (Barnes & Noble Inc.) we would always REQUIRE a valid driver's license for trade-ins.

It never ever freaking ceased to amaze me how many people (parents, with kids even) would have trade-ins, and when I asked them for a drivers license, they told me, "Sorry I don't have one." or "sorry, no. It was suspended." and I would quickly respond, not giving them a chance to come up with anything other than an honest response ... "Did you drive here?"

and nine times out of ten they would say "Yes."

OR, sometimes they would hand me a NJ State Boat license ... which is also distributed by the DMV ... and when I would say "Sorry, this is your BOAT license, I need to see your driver's license." they would give me the same "Sorry, don't have one." routine.

Now, I understand some people fall on hard times, and shit happens, and people still need to live their lives and go about their business (especially if they have kids) even if it means risking arrest for driving without a license ... but with the BOAT LICENSE people ...

... I always wonder if when these people went to the DMV after getting their drivers license revoked and got their boat license issued to them in the hopes that if they would get pulled over by the police they could hand them the boating license and hope that the cop wouldn't notice what it was.

[RadiantSvgun]

I flat out refuse to accept trade-ins from anyone unless they surrender a valid driver's license or state ID card. I couldn't care less if they're looking to get an in-store credit or a bundle of cash for their items, I treat all traders the same. I am not a mind reader and cannot discern who did or did not steal the goods they're offering me. My sentiment is it's better to be safe than sorry and have the information on hand just in case.

I know here in AL, its against the law to accept any kind of sale (shops, pawn, ect) unless they were 18 or had an adult with them.

[TonyTheTiger]

I think some people are also highly reluctant to hand over something with their home address on it out of fear of getting junk mail. I know I sometimes give a fake email address when asked for one at Radio Shack or something. Granted, there's a difference. I don't think there's any legitimate reason besides sending spam when asking for an email address whereas asking for a driver's license can serve other purposes but some people are still weary of that.

I don't particularly blame them. There's always another story about how someone got screwed over by a company who took their personal info. But in the cases of pawning off their old stuff they should at least expect to need to provide something for security reasons.

[strassy]

what about state IDs, do you guys accept those? cause some people don't have/lost/can't get a driver's license, but ANYBODY can get a state ID

[carlcarlson]

I think some people are also highly reluctant to hand over something with their home address on it out of fear of getting junk mail.

Ha, this reminded me of a story. This doesn't really have much to do with anything in this thread, but the part above about giving out personal info reminded me of an NES lot I got a couple of years ago. Every single piece in this lot (minus the cords) had the guys name and social security number etched into the plastic. Sometimes he even included a phone number or a little symbol he made for himself. His name was Witte. This was a system, controllers, zapper, and probably about 20 games, all with his personal info on it. The funny thing is, I buy to sell, so this stuff has been sent all over the US by now. Some of you may even have a piece of it. Just last month I shipped out a Mike Tyson's and couldn't help but laugh when I saw the etchings. Poor guy.

[TonyTheTiger]

Some people aren't bright. I have Charlie Miller's copy of Mega Man 2 which I bought way back in the mid 90s from Funcoland. Who's Charlie Miller? I have no idea. But at least he was smart enough not to include his social security number.

[digitalpress]

Unless something interesting comes along between now and closing (9pm)...

Wii System (complete) - minus the box and in immaculate condition, this was purchased by a regular customer for his kid's Christmas gift. Kid wants a PSP instead. Also got Resident Evil 4 and Tony Hawk in the deal.

PS2 Beatmania (complete) - with outer box and all that. I think I've only had this traded in once, maybe twice before. Opening it up and testing it reminded me of how much I hated the way the did the American controller. IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A KEYBOARD.

[digitalpress]

Good sales day and plenty of trade-ins but nothing spectacular, so I'll do this without much fanfare.

Genesis Streets of Rage 2 (complete)
PS2 Gradius V (complete)
PS2 Amplitude (complete)

[Kitsune Sniper]

PS2 Beatmania (complete) - with outer box and all that. I think I've only had this traded in once, maybe twice before. Opening it up and testing it reminded me of how much I hated the way the did the American controller. IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A KEYBOARD.

Uh...

What? The controller feels a bit off but it's pretty much the same as an arcade Beatmania controller. I don't see why you hate it.

[RadiantSvgun]

Uh...

What? The controller feels a bit off but it's pretty much the same as an arcade Beatmania controller. I don't see why you hate it.

That controller is horrible.

Also, when did Gradius V become hard to find? It used to be all over the place, but I never see it in any game stores anymore. Its one of those games that I told people to buy when I worked at EB games. Ahh.. customers.,,,

[Snapple]

I've had multiple choices to pick up Gradius V complete for really, really cheap. I used to see it all over the place. Maybe I should've jumped when I had the chance.

[SeverThe7th]

Prior to Funcoland being bought out by Software Etc. (Barnes & Noble Inc.) we would always REQUIRE a valid driver's license for trade-ins.

It never ever freaking ceased to amaze me how many people (parents, with kids even) would have trade-ins, and when I asked them for a drivers license, they told me, "Sorry I don't have one." or "sorry, no. It was suspended." and I would quickly respond, not giving them a chance to come up with anything other than an honest response ... "Did you drive here?"

and nine times out of ten they would say "Yes."

OR, sometimes they would hand me a NJ State Boat license ... which is also distributed by the DMV ... and when I would say "Sorry, this is your BOAT license, I need to see your driver's license." they would give me the same "Sorry, don't have one." routine.

Now, I understand some people fall on hard times, and shit happens, and people still need to live their lives and go about their business (especially if they have kids) even if it means risking arrest for driving without a license ... but with the BOAT LICENSE people ...

... I always wonder if when these people went to the DMV after getting their drivers license revoked and got their boat license issued to them in the hopes that if they would get pulled over by the police they could hand them the boating license and hope that the cop wouldn't notice what it was.

Ermm, isn't the reason people ask for licenses to confirm their adulthood?
I mean its pretty stupid, "You have to be a registered driver to sell/trade in games." Whats driving got to do with it? What if you use public transport?

I realize you didnt make the rules for funcoland, but surely you must have an idea of why such a rule exists. ( I guess depending how long you worked there).

If I were to shop at a place with such a rule that isn't properly justified, Id be less inclined to shop there. Even if I did fit the criteria.

Edit: Sorry, OT.

[Volcanon]

Wouldnt some other ID suffice for trade-ins? I'm 22 and I don't have a license or any intention of getting one.

[blissfulnoise]

In this case, the license isn't serving to confirm your adulthood, its confirming your identity. This is infinitely helpful in combating fraud and theft.

See: Pawn Shops.

Now not every store is going to go through the trouble of carding every trade in. After all, I'd imagine that nearly every game store in the country has unaccompanied minors trying to trade in games on a daily basis. That's the nature of the hobby. The question becomes if the store owner(s) want to take on the risk of accepting property without securing identification.

In most cases its a non-issue, but the one in 20 could come back to bite you. On the other hand, you're actively passing up on stock and, thus, profit. Tricky road to hoe.

On another note, Is the backlash against drivers licenses some sort of paranoia thing? I don't really understand.

If you're 18+ and don't know how to drive, you can at least go and get a non-drivers license at the DMV for exactly these sorts of things.

I'm all for "those who would trade freedom for protection deserve neither", but let's be realistic here...

[Volcanon]

I actually have an ID card from the DMV already, I just recall that some places are hard-assed about drivers licenses.

[digitalpress]

Not much to report today, so we'll do the most interesting of the non-contenders in the less-than-stellar unbolded and uncommented text.

Nintendo DS System (loose), white, good condition.
Nintendo DS Dementium (complete).
Nintendo DS Call of Duty 4 (complete), funny until Assassin's Creed came out.
XBox 360 Mass Effect Special Edition (complete).

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Ermm, isn't the reason people ask for licenses to confirm their adulthood?
I mean its pretty stupid, "You have to be a registered driver to sell/trade in games." Whats driving got to do with it? What if you use public transport?

I realize you didnt make the rules for funcoland, but surely you must have an idea of why such a rule exists. ( I guess depending how long you worked there).

If I were to shop at a place with such a rule that isn't properly justified, Id be less inclined to shop there. Even if I did fit the criteria.

Edit: Sorry, OT.

The reason why Funcoland (keep in mind, it was a different company in terms of ownership when I was there than it is now) required all customers who wanted to do a trade-in to have a driver's license was, to my understanding, so they could have a verifiable database of easily trackable information for local authorities to reference in the event that they were trading in stolen merchandise.

While I was there we provided local authorities (by their request) information several times up to and including drivers license info in conjunction with investigations on stolen merchandise.

Companies that take trade-ins (and pay out cash) on merchandise need to have some type of verifiable, trackable information to at the very least keep themselves from taking legal responsibility for abetting thieves.

I have no idea if state issued ID cards are tied into a trackable database that local law enforcement can reference ... but I know that divers licences are nationwide.

[digitalpress]

Help! My thread has been jacked!

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Help! My thread has been jacked!

Sorry Joe!

People ask questions ... I answer!

Of course, my intention in this thread is always actually to SEE the daily trade-ins!

If only I weren't so damned anecdotal.

[ProgrammingAce]

Help! My thread has been jacked!

You should contact one of the moderators/admins of the forum. They're fairly helpful, or so i've heard.

[GarrettCRW]

You should contact one of the moderators/admins of the forum. They're fairly helpful, or so i've heard.

No, he needs to call DP Industries. When he shows up, someone always pays.

[dave2236]

In my store you must have a valid drivers license or state ID to trade in stuff, no exceptions. I have to keep your license number and information on file along with any serial numbers from any system.

The best thing we had traded in was Boogie for wii w/ mic. and Guitar Hero 3 for PS2 mint in box(no stickers on the guitar too)

[Cryomancer]

Any chance any of those saturn imports were Suchie Pai games? If you still have em around that is. If so I may be interested if I don't have the specific ones yet.

Do you have trouble moving import games? I usually ask independant small stores if they have anything import and usually they tell me that they stopped taking them because they'd never sell.

[digitalpress]

Any chance any of those saturn imports were Suchie Pai games? If you still have em around that is. If so I may be interested if I don't have the specific ones yet.

Negative on that.


Do you have trouble moving import games? I usually ask independant small stores if they have anything import and usually they tell me that they stopped taking them because they'd never sell.

Like domestic games - good titles move fast, fringe stuff moves slowly, waiting for that completist or import nut to clean up.

TODAY:
PSP "Darth Vader" White System (loose) - still feels weird calling the Darth version of the PSP the white system, but there you have it.

Both today and yesterday were pretty light on trade-ins in general. We did score a pile of strat guides, many of which are RPG's. I've discovered that older RPG's (maybe "used" RPG's is a better term) packaged with the strategy guide moves very well here so I've been more diligent about pairing them up when I can.

[digitalpress]

Big sales day, average trade-in day, but nothing spectacular.

PS2 Xenosaga Trilogy (complete) - no, it wasn't actually packaged as a trilogy, but the person who traded them in traded in all three of the PS2 games. Sets are nice.

PS2 .hack GU Trilogy (complete) - see above, yep, same guy.

[Niku-Sama]

.hack GU?
they made another game series on PS2?

[digitalpress]

.hack GU?
they made another game series on PS2?

Incredible, isn't it?

Then again, they're on the second series of Dragonball Z and there still isn't a single game in that series that I enjoy playing.

Sometimes the popularity of the anime is enough to sell a game. To me, who has no idea what the anime is like beyond the one or two casual glimpses I've had of these series, I thing the games just suck. Sequels to the suck are simply baffling.

To each their own.

[Snapple]

Hell, I like anime, and I know 90% of anime games suck. They're made with the same mentality as movie license games. The developers know that the brand name will move more copies than making a quality game. And they do sell. There are people who will buy and praise to Hell every DBZ game there is, no matter bad it is.

Don't let that give you a negative opinion of the shows themselves though necessarily.

[Mayhem]

.hack GU?
they made another game series on PS2?

Is this in addition to the four .hack games I know about on the PS2 (cos Kris just sold her set of them on eBay for a good amount)?

[carlcarlson]

Is this in addition to the four .hack games I know about on the PS2 (cos Kris just sold her set of them on eBay for a good amount)?


Yeah, they had .hack 1-4 (infection, mutation, outbreak, quarantine), and now they have .hack GU vol 1-3 (dunno the names). I would assume this is going to be a four part series as well. And you're right, even though the original four are solidly "meh" they sell for quite a bit as a set. I sold one for $130 last fall.

[digitalpress]

Lots of trade-ins on this busy Saturday, I'll pick out a few interesting ones.

PS1 Syndicate Wars (complete) - I've never seen this game before! One of several interesting PS1 games from the same customer.

SNES Super Mario World (complete) - I don't get boxed Mario Worlds too often. It's the greatest hits version, is that the only way the game was distributed in a box?

GameCube Ocarina & Master Quest (complete) - and in minty condition too. Always a favorite among our Nintendo fanbase.

Odyssey2 Conquest of the World (complete) - amazingly, complete. This is one of those extra-large box sets with lots of pieces, game board and O2 keyboard overlay. Probably the best item from one customer's huge pile of junk, most of which was non-working O2 and Intellivision systems (salvaged 2 O2's total). Nice piece.

[PapaStu]

PS1 Syndicate Wars (complete) - I've never seen this game before! One of several interesting PS1 games from the same customer.

That was a game I had never seen in person until I had moved out to Chicago. Once there I found three copies quite quickly and bought em all. I've not seen any copies out in stores since then either.

[Blitzwing256]

mario world exists in a greatest hits and regular box, it was avialable about a year after the system was released.

[Bandicat]

Super Mario World was available in the Non-Greatest hits for awhile. I picked this one up a few years after the original release of the SNES. This was after the release of the Donkey Kong set. (My first SNES)

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/1981/imag0110vy1.th.jpg (http://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imag0110vy1.jpg)

[vincewy]

I've had multiple choices to pick up Gradius V complete for really, really cheap. I used to see it all over the place. Maybe I should've jumped when I had the chance.

The same can be said about R-Type Final and Gradius III/IV, they used to be all over the place, now,you'll be lucky to find it used in store. I just picked up the last copy of Raiden III from Gamedude and I expect this game to end up the same rarity as Gradius V.

What's the prospect of Chaos Field? I see a few new copies at K-Mart, will it be as rare? Like Ikaruga (which I should've kept the 2nd copy)?

[TonyTheTiger]

I don't know about Chaos Field. The copy I bought at Funcoland about 6 or 7 weeks ago is the only copy I've seen (or remember seeing). But if it's anything like Ikaruga it's most certainly not rare. Ikaruga is one of those perceived rarities that you just don't see often because everyone wants it ala Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (PS2). It keeps it's value because of the demand but copies are always within reach on the net.

It's funny. For all the grief Ebay gets it's thanks to Ebay that prices are as low as they are. Imagine what Gamestop could get away with charging for Marvel vs. Capcom 2 if there were no internet for people to turn to.

[Poofta!]

gamestop charges 80$ for Marvel vs Capcom 2... fyi.

[digitalpress]

Quite an amazing sales weekend. I'm guessing this is the beginning of tax refund time. Trade-ins have been pretty good too.

PS1 Vandal Hearts 2 (complete) - I like listing the games that we don't see very often. Not necessarily rare, but uncommon to THIS store. This is one of those times.

The same person traded in:

PS1 Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 (complete) - as well as a few other decent titles. The fact that Gamestop doesn't take PS1 or N64 games in particular makes our place a magnet for this populated northern NJ area. We get lots of good titles in but they're also never there for long as most savvy gamers in the area check in at least once a week. These won't last the week.

We also got a 360 traded in today. Suddenly we have overstock on these, six used premiums and one used arcade altogether.

[TonyTheTiger]

gamestop charges 80$ for Marvel vs Capcom 2... fyi.

Yeah, and imagine how much higher it would be without the internet. When the most efficient way to procure a copy is scour the nearby Gamestops as often as possible. They would be able to sell the damn thing for $150. For that Ebay is a blessing. More supply readily available = more satiated demand = lower prices on the whole.


The fact that Gamestop doesn't take PS1 or N64 games in particular makes our place a magnet for this populated northern NJ area.

Are they also no longer taking GCN games? Over the last two months I witnessed every Gamestop in the area go from having at least one full shelf of games steadily decrease supply down to maybe half a shelf. Some now have a grand total of 5 to 10 games (half of which being multiple copies of Geist and Wind Waker). I can't imagine there not being a healthier stock if Gamestop weren't giving the axe to trade-ins. But considering the Wii is 100% backwards compatible, I fail to see the logic in doing so at the moment.

[otoko]

My guess is that taking Gamecube isn't bringing in the bucks. Due to the internets (as stated before) and the fact those who do infact use the backward compatibility also usually own the games they're going to do it with anyway.

That's just a guess anyway.

[digitalpress]

If GameStop has stopped taking in GameCube that's just more good news for me. GameCube has always done really well at our place. This probably falls along the company lines where PS1 fell in summer of '06, doesn't matter that a newer system still supports it, it's OLD.

OLD is good at the DP store :)

[TonyTheTiger]

If GameStop has stopped taking in GameCube that's just more good news for me. GameCube has always done really well at our place. This probably falls along the company lines where PS1 fell in summer of '06, doesn't matter that a newer system still supports it, it's OLD.

OLD is good at the DP store :)

Yeah but isn't the Xbox just as old (at least in the U.S.)? Why drop GCN and not Xbox? Speaking of Xbox, you know what I noticed? Gamestop has a strange habit of taking in those Outlaw Golf expansions (Holiday Golf, 9 Holes of Xmas, etc.) and then mysteriously lose the disc. It's happened to me at least 5 or 6 times where I'd take up a copy to the counter and they don't have the game. But then the next week I'd see a freshly traded copy...only for them to again not have the disc. What is it about those games that Gamestop can't keep track of the discs?

[digitalpress]

Yeah but isn't the Xbox just as old (at least in the U.S.)? Why drop GCN and not Xbox? Speaking of Xbox, you know what I noticed? Gamestop has a strange habit of taking in those Outlaw Golf expansions (Holiday Golf, 9 Holes of Xmas, etc.) and mysteriously lose the disc. It's happened to me at least 5 times where I'd take up a copy to the counter and they don't have the game. But then the next week I'd see a freshly traded copy...only for them to again not have the disc. What is it about those games that Gamestop can't keep track of the discs?

Don't know about the "Outlaw" series but from what I can tell original Xbox games are hot on the heels of the GameCube as far as trade-ins go there. It seems like they're blowing them out, which is a good sign that all of those games are going to end up in centralized locations before evaporating completely.

I still have a pretty good original XBox customer base. I keep squishing it down as the 360 games get discounted, but it's almost time to dedicate an area to GameCube and XBox (one) as other classic systems have in the store. The first "next generation" for the store is upon us.

[TonyTheTiger]

Don't know about the "Outlaw" series but from what I can tell original Xbox games are hot on the heels of the GameCube as far as trade-ins go there. It seems like they're blowing them out, which is a good sign that all of those games are going to end up in centralized locations before evaporating completely.

Yeah, it's just weird because it's not just one store. Every single Gamestop does it constantly and only with those games.


I still have a pretty good original XBox customer base. I keep squishing it down as the 360 games get discounted, but it's almost time to dedicate an area to GameCube and XBox (one) as other classic systems have in the store. The first "next generation" for the store is upon us.

It's crazy. My cousin is 10 years old and he plays a lot of games but I have to remind myself that to him the Saturn is ancient. I remember getting teary-eyed when I realized the SNES was dead and now to see the Xbox and GCN go the way of "classic" is just strange. It makes me think of that scene in Back to the Future Part II where Marty was playing Wild Gunman and those kids were like "You mean you have to use your hands?"

[Blitzwing256]

The blockbuster outlaw games don't have a sku in thier system, so the disks end up getting lost somewhere due to lazy employees not taking the extra minute to put them where they shoudl go, I had a biiiitch of a time picking them all up via gamestop (only missing one cover varient now) next time you are search for em try having the peon behind the desk look at ALL the outlaw games in the drawers its probably there.

[otoko]

It makes me think of that scene in Back to the Future Part II where Marty was playing Wild Gunman and those kids were like "You mean you have to use your hands?"

I tell ya, if those kids were real and not actors I'd punch them in the face.

I'm pretty sure we are all familiar with this rant. Show of hands?


The blockbuster outlaw games don't have a sku in thier system, so the disks end up getting lost somewhere due to lazy employees not taking the extra minute to put them where they shoudl go, I had a biiiitch of a time picking them all up via gamestop (only missing one cover varient now) next time you are search for em try having the peon behind the desk look at ALL the outlaw games in the drawers its probably there.

True. They did this when I was buying out my Gamestop of their Dreamcast games. Most of them ended up in the PS2 games... And, yes, almost accidentally gave me a PS2 game instead of the Dreamcast... It was Crazy Taxi 2 I believe... they almost gave me Mojo...

[RadiantSvgun]

Lots of trade-ins on this busy Saturday, I'll pick out a few interesting ones.

PS1 Syndicate Wars (complete) - I've never seen this game before! One of several interesting PS1 games from the same customer.


Its one of the few games that used to be common in the game wasteland that is Alabama. I used to see it all the time, but never with a manual.

[Neil Koch]

Are they also no longer taking GCN games? Over the last two months I witnessed every Gamestop in the area go from having at least one full shelf of games steadily decrease supply down to maybe half a shelf. Some now have a grand total of 5 to 10 games (half of which being multiple copies of Geist and Wind Waker). I can't imagine there not being a healthier stock if Gamestop weren't giving the axe to trade-ins. But considering the Wii is 100% backwards compatible, I fail to see the logic in doing so at the moment.

The guy at the local EB said that they are indeed phasing out GC games. Some of the smaller stores have around here (Minneapolis) already stopped carrying them.

[thetoxicone]

At the local gamestops around my place they have started placing the gamecube and xbox games on racks in the middle of the store and given the wall space to the newer systems.

[DigitalSpace]

Most of the GameStops in my area are placing the Gamecube games on those racks as well, though some still have them on the wall. It seems like almost every GS has all their original Xbox games in the big bins. The Gamecube selection is pretty low at some stores (and not just GameStops) and then there's still quite a good selection at others.

Fred Meyer is phasing out Gamecube (and GBA) stuff as well. I don't think any of the local FMs have Gamecube games in the locked cases anymore. What's left at most of the stores I've visited recently are clearance games and whatever's in the budget racks.

I'd be surprised if this wasn't the year that GS finally stopped taking in and selling Game Boy and GBC games. Even the A+ titles are cheap (for example, Donkey Kong '94 is $4.99). Get 'em while you can.

[TonyTheTiger]

The difference I guess is that you can stock 150 GB games in a shoe box but I guess the stores (especially the smaller ones) want to use whatever space the GCN is taking up for other things.

[Bandicat]

Maybe a bit off topic, but I have to ask, how does Game Cube get shortened to 'GCN'? Game Cube Nintendo?

[Vectorman0]

Maybe a bit off topic, but I have to ask, how does Game Cube get shortened to 'GCN'? Game Cube Nintendo?

You need to ask the people at Nintendo who decided to make that the abbreviation.

[TonyTheTiger]

Maybe a bit off topic, but I have to ask, how does Game Cube get shortened to 'GCN'? Game Cube Nintendo?

Same way the Playstation was shortened to PSX back in the day. Magic.

[Jackattack]

Because NGC was already taken by the Neo-Geo Color.

Well that would be my guess anyway.