Fleamarket Finds a thing of the past thanks to EBAY

[dsullo]

Only a few years ago I use to be able to find my fill of classic game titles and systems at the local fleamarkets in my area. My usual stops are the Meadowlands FleaMarket and the Collinswood Fleamarket (both in NJ).

I have noticed in the past year , and especially this summer. Every Single seller of any type of game wants EBAY top dollar. This weekend I saw a tabletop frogger unit, which is a nice retro find. When I asked how much the seller states , I checked ebay last night and this goes for about 50.00 , so I need 45.00 for it.

The seller next to him , who I despise, and know him from the phillyclassic, has his games on display. SNES and NES titles for 10.00-30.00 per loose cart.

As I stroll around and see other sellers, I found a few NES common titles (Super Mario/Duck Hunt, Ikari Warriors,Road Blasters) and a few others. I ask how much thinking 1.00 a game. Nope, he says, these things go like hot cakes on ebay. I need 5.00 a game. He can offer me a break if I buy the lot of 10 or so common games for 45.00

Now I can tell you this fleamarket is the absolute dirtiest one on the planet, complete with the ocassional male crossdresser walking around for your amusement.

Now on to the next table. A loose genesis unit 30.00 no accessories , because Its a classic vintage system that goes for 50.00 on ebay.

Next table an NES no accessories, dirty and grimy. 30.00 because you guessed it, thats what they go for on ebay.

Needless to say I found 1 good find. A gameboy Mr Do cart, for the low price of 10.00.

I really cannot take these fleamarket vendors who think a table in a slime pit in NJ is EBAY and they can demand EBAY prices.

Has anyone seen this trend?

I guess it just really annoyes me

thanks for letting me rant.

Dustin

[Achika]

Yes, I went to some large flea markets a few weeks ago in Ohio. Nearly all the permanent indoor vendors wanted top $, most more than eBay. However, I did find some really good things so I guess, if you don't mind lots of "eBay dealers" be persistant and you'll find the good deals.

[portnoyd]

On a sidenote, what dsulllo said was true, but there are still flea market sellers that have no idea what they have. I recently found a barrel of SNES games at one for $3 each, all complete or sealed, and we're in the same area.

I don't even know why you bother with the meadowlands one. I've never, ever had any luck there as far as deals.

dave

[Videogamerdaryll]

Only a few years ago I use to be able to find my fill of classic game titles and systems at the local fleamarkets in my area. My usual stops are the Meadowlands FleaMarket and the Collinswood Fleamarket (both in NJ).

I have noticed in the past year , and especially this summer. Every Single seller of any type of game wants EBAY top dollar. This weekend I saw a tabletop frogger unit, which is a nice retro find. When I asked how much the seller states , I checked ebay last night and this goes for about 50.00 , so I need 45.00 for it.

The seller next to him , who I despise, and know him from the phillyclassic, has his games on display. SNES and NES titles for 10.00-30.00 per loose cart.

As I stroll around and see other sellers, I found a few NES common titles (Super Mario/Duck Hunt, Ikari Warriors,Road Blasters) and a few others. I ask how much thinking 1.00 a game. Nope, he says, these things go like hot cakes on ebay. I need 5.00 a game. He can offer me a break if I buy the lot of 10 or so common games for 45.00

Now I can tell you this fleamarket is the absolute dirtiest one on the planet, complete with the ocassional male crossdresser walking around for your amusement.

Now on to the next table. A loose genesis unit 30.00 no accessories , because Its a classic vintage system that goes for 50.00 on ebay.

Next table an NES no accessories, dirty and grimy. 30.00 because you guessed it, thats what they go for on ebay.

Needless to say I found 1 good find. A gameboy Mr Do cart, for the low price of 10.00.

I really cannot take these fleamarket vendors who think a table in a slime pit in NJ is EBAY and they can demand EBAY prices.

Has anyone seen this trend?

I guess it just really annoyes me

thanks for letting me rant.

Dustin

You've been running into the same vendors at the Meadowlands FleaMarket huh..The Ebay Price Vendors I call them..





male crossdresser walking around for your amusement

OMG!! You have seen "IT" too......Oh man.. @_@ LOL



Did you happen to pass any of this stuff up today?..(Meadowlands FleaMarket)
http://img7.photobucket.com/albums/v21/Chris1/aa.jpg


I wonder if your the Other person who buys games/asks for gaming stuff there..that I'm told about by the vendors.
When I miss something or pass something up the vendors always say I sold it or I'll sell it to the other guy..
They speak of one other guy who searches for games like I do..

I can tell you pretty much everything about the "Attic Treasure"/crap section vendors.. x_x .they all know me.

[-hellvin-]

that's why I don't go to flea markets. Not gonna put up with it. How much for this megaman 3 cart? 5 dollars....but there's dirt and leaves on the contacts....hmmm.

Only place I go looking for deals are thrifts....and even those are getting really shitty lately.

[Overbite]

I wish there were flea markets and thrift stores that carried games around here :(

[Darth Sensei]

Dsullo, I totally agree. I see it all the time.

It's getting to the point where even people having garage sales are checking ebay. I've made offers on stuff I see and they say, "That's what ebay gets for it."

Umm... lady, it's Saturday afternoon and you've had the same price on that for 2 days. Either take my offer or get stuck with it.

D

[Sosage]

This is the trend, unfortunately, with every hobby (and has been ever since the late 90's imo). I don't know how it is at your flea, but at mine the guys at least haggle (especially when I put the item down and start walking away).

[Chunky]

see this all the time. The one guy who is on the VG collectors list, has no prices listed/shown, and you ask about something and he actually opens his laptop and checks the current ebay price. haha thats why his hords of vectrexes for $200("yes um that is the ebay going price"...my ass) have been on the shelf for more than 4 years. I never seen a sale, just alot of kids asking and leaving.

some of the others closer to me go by ebay prices, and well they die out of their space within a few weeks and the next crap collector joins up.

[DigitalSpace]

Man, if I could get $30-50 for every loose Genesis console with no controllers or hookups, I would clean out all the local Goodwills of the Genny consoles gathering dust there. LOL

[swlovinist]

You should move to the West Coast, because out here finding in the wild is still alive and well......while you are going to run into vendors that sell at ebay prices, the best way to help lower prices is offer a lower one or dont buy. I have to be honest I have sold at the flea mart for several years and so I have alot of respect for people that make their living that way. Lets face the music that 1. Games are hot right now. 2. People are paying more for classic games. 3. Repeat Vendors usually only survive if SOMEONE is buying their stuff. As much as I can agree with you and say that their are SLIMY vendors that only care about selling games for a quick turnaround, the same can be said about SLIMY buyers who can get very irrating because they cant lowball a vendor on a game for a quick turnaround. It is a hard balance and one that I fight with all the time. I am a major collector and one who uses both ebay and flea marts to fund my hobby. I set fair prices and am honest with what something is worth. If a price is good to fair, I dont hesitate and buy it. If the price is high, I dont say a word and walk away. The bottom line is that games are just worth more now and some people are trying to cash in. Be happy that the games you DO own are worth more and that you have an investment. Dont spend your time complaining, use your knowledge of games to your advantage. If you think the vendors are overpriced, maybe you can set up a booth and undercut their prices...and see what they go through :D

[Flack]

I have to agree, part of it is location. Here in Oklahoma City, there are four flea markets I frequent. The permanent booths usually have overpriced stuff, but every single trip there are loose NES, SNES, N64 and Atari carts for $5 or less. Same with the thrift stores -- if I wanted to build a huge trade pile, I could pick up something in every thrift, pawn, or flea I go into around here! The Genesis 3 I picked up not too long ago came complete with 10 boxed games for $20. I guarantee I could pick up at least one Genesis or Atari 2600 per week for under $5.

That's not to say there aren't those around here trying to charge $50 for an Atari. I just look at them and smile. If they say anything to me I usually tell them that I just picked up a working one for $3 and walk away. Or if I ask how much a game is and they say a high price I just set it down quickly and say, "good luck!" I'm sure people who make their livings at flea markets have a rough enough life without me insulting them too. Sometimes I'll deal but you can't be afraid to walk away.

Always remember the golden eBay rule -- if an item goes for "this much" on eBay, always ask them why they're not selling it there! I always see prices falling after I ask that.

[-hellvin-]

Always remember the golden eBay rule -- if an item goes for "this much" on eBay, always ask them why they're not selling it there! I always see prices falling after I ask that.

Well said, I've gotten many well.....uhhh...expressions from that question. =D.

[sniperCCJVQ]

It's getting to the point where even people having garage sales are checking ebay. I've made offers on stuff I see and they say, "That's what ebay gets for it."

And to this I reply : "Well, why doing a yard sale then ? just sell it on ebay"

After that, they choking or begin to tell stupid things.

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

Over a year ago a game store i went to tried do that to me when i bought dragon warrior 2 and 3, when i wanted the money they overcharged me back and they showed me a price on the computer and i told them im paying the price on the game not on the screen
________
penny stocks to watch (http://pennystockpicks.net/)

[maxlords]

Well, the flea markets here are all scammers. Most of them can't even speak English. There's one guy who owns 14 booths and 2 game stores. He's infamous in Ontario...the "yellow-sticker guy". He charges INSANE prices...like DOUBLE eBay....prices like $49.99 for Mojo for hte Xbox, $150 + tax for Lufia 2 for SNES complete, $69.99 for Dynasty Warriors 4 Xtreme.....you get the idea. And these are USED games! He's the worst. I managed to get kicked out of his store for arguing with him when I went to trade something in. He tried to ruin the box and manual of a rare game I brought him just to be a dick, so I grabbed it away from him and he got all mad. Mad at ME when he was ruining my game! Gah.

Anyway, most aren't as bad as him but they're still not cheap. There are no deals at the fleas here. All the honest sellers have vacated locally :( In fact, I don't know of any honest flea market game sellers in Ontario at all. And this is a BIG province. Everyone that runs an independent game store or flea booth seems to be a complete scammer...to the tune of "I can't sell this Final Fantasy 3 cart for less than $100 because it's so rare". Seriously. It's disgusting. And they don't even mention eBay! They're just cashing in on the explosive demand gaming is getting at the moment. Reminds me of the baseball card and comics booms. Lets just hope the same stuff doesn't happen.....

[Dave Reinquest]

~Sighs~ There are still decent sellers. I know of at least one guy at my flea market, one of the indoor sellers, even. He charges fair (Not DP but DEFINATELY not ebay) prices. And he takes trades ^_^x Sometimes you can get cash for your tradeins, that's the bomb right there.

~Huggles his $12 complete boxed Legend of Zelda cart~ What, don't look @ me like that...

[Raedon]

don't think of large Flea Markets as Flea Markets but as "Antique Markets"

The real Flea markets are next to the one light on some backwoods where there are only 40 or so booths, no inside and a guy selling homemade moonshine off the back of a truck. That is where the $10 4 atari 2600's and 120 games fines are.

Luckly the only stuff I need to finish my NES collection are carts that I have never seen before so it's Ebay and Trades.

[Wily]

You´re mentioning the exactly reason why I no longer visit any local flea markets.

The last time I was "in the hunt", was about one and a half year ago. Since then I axclusively bought on ebay or at online-shops.

It saves a lot of time, nerves and it´s nearly as exciting as buying on a flea market (ok, not really :roll: )...

The gold-rush is over I guess. I go for ebay only now - unfortunately.

It was such a cool feeling, to get something really cheap, b/c the sellers on the flea markets didn´t have any idea how rare their sold item is.

*sigh* good ol´ times!

[VinnyT]

I actually founda guy who uses the DP gudie for ALL his prices.

So naturally, he moves 30 miles from me two weeks after I find him.

[sniperCCJVQ]

Somewhere, somehow, the flea market god are still here :

http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000575105

Fan Strikes Beatles Gold In Australia

A long-hidden cache of Beatles memorabilia, including nearly priceless studio tapes of the Fab Four, was discovered by chance by a United Kingdom native on vacation in Australia. Experts say the value of the find, purchased at a flea market, is already likely to run into tens of thousands of pounds.

But if the tapes, which recording experts have yet to examine, turn out to be unheard recordings of the group, the value is likely to be truly phenomenal. The tapes are in sealed containers indicating they come from the Abbey Road studios where the Beatles recorded. They are marked "not for use."

Kent native Fraser Claughton stumbled on the find by chance when he made a last-minute trip to Australia to attend a friend's 50th birthday party. Beyond the recordings, he obtained hundreds of photographs taken of the Beatles at the height of Beatlemania, along with a mountain of documentation relating to their recordings. Some of the items bear original signatures of group members.

Fraser made the discovery, which he describes as "finding the end of the rainbow in Australia," while he was hunting for a cheap suitcase. "Now I've been told that to collectors the photographs, books, magazines and documents alone are worth a fortune," he says. "The documents in the main are recording sheets for some of the best-known Beatles hits. And the tapes, if they turn out to be unheard material, could be almost priceless."

Fraser is planning to sell the material in individual lots via the Internet.