how do retro gaming stores find their inventory?

[Flam]

there is obviously a finite quantity of games out there, so it seems that the owners would have to search and scower for games like the rest of us. So where do they find their inventory? Also it seems that the profit margins on selling games would be very slim.

[SpaceHarrier]

I see my independent game store owner at the swapmeet, competing with me for finds.

[Greg2600]

Trade Ins

[retroguy]

My local retro store buys stuff from whoever brings it in. As for the profit margin question, the owner told me that she sells her stuff for as little as she can and still keep the lights on. I imagine most game stores have a similar policy unless they're just clueless about how much people are actually willing to pay for this stuff.

[wiggyx]

Trade ins, and the margins are generally far from slim on used retail. In fact, quite the opposite.

[xelement5x]

If a place is established enough and moderately well known, people will normally bring stuff in for instant cash and it makes it so the store owner won't really need to worry about stock. Also, the amount people get for that stuff in miniscule, since they really normally just want it gone and cash is a bonus.

I was in a retro store near me one time and I saw the guy behind the counter give $15 for a big box full of GB/A and NES stuff. However, if you're running a brick and mortar place you need to make back a solid amount on everything sold if you're hoping to pay the rent so I don't begrudge them.

The people I normally see hitting swapmeets and thrifts are the people who sell mainly online since they can move most stuff pretty fast. There's a reseller near me (straight up reseller, doesn't even play or like video games) that puts stuff on on CL and ebay at the same time just to try and move it as fast as he can. I've run across him a couple times and he knows old games are worth cash so it seems like hitting thrifts and CL ads is basically what he does for a living.