Where do the majority of YOUR games come from?

[THATinkjar]

Please select your preference from the above poll and state why you prefer that means of obtaining your retro goodies!

For me, I've become something of an eBay fanatic since I realised I am as much a collector as I am a gamer. I suppose I prefer eBay because it is nonconfrontational. At a car boot sale, I often feel somewhat uneasy perusing the various items of interest. I dislike the thought that someone might think I would steal something because I'm hovering about. I also feel uneasy asking if I can examine a game's condition. All this is quite strange when you consider I am actually an extremely confident person otherwise!

On eBay, my thrill comes from finding mint/rare games at absurdly low prices that no one has paid any attention to! I feel rather underhand - which makes me feel rather good :) I also like the challenge of getting my money's worth out of the seller by buying multiple items. It can all be quite time consuming but it is also very satisfying.

Don't get me wrong - I do very much enjoy the car boot sales I attend on Sundays (of which I have now gone to three). I enjoy the uncertainty of it all (I don't even know if it is on until I get there!). But as eager as I am to go, I am as eager to leave. Make of that what you will.

What are your thoughts, then?

[Cauterize]

Have a guess where my goodies come from :P

I love car boots, and especially the uncertainity of it as you say.
Wonderin what will turn up/surface is part of the game which i love.

For example, finally gettin hold of Secret Of Mana at the weekend for 50p. I refused to buy it at the price it goes for, for years now, as i knew one day it would appear, which it did. :)
If i broke down and went to eBay for it, i probably would have paid about £20
So lets see:
50p or £20, £20 is 4000% more to pay than the price i originally paid!
I <3 Car boots!

What i dislike about eBay is shipping, sure you win an item for 99p (or whatever) then you gotta pay for the item to get delivered (and ive found its usually over charged)
With car boots, no shipping is neccesary... Just a ride home!
Imagine the cost of shipping on some of my hauls if they were eBay winnings!

Another (personal) issue with Ebay is you dont have the option to bargain with the seller, if eBay was a real life car boot, you would have hundreds of people around 1 sellers item and not have a single chance of gettin it cheap...
Car boots win again, the power of bargaining is awesome!

However eBay does win on one issue, the condition of an item... With eBay you can be absolutely sure on what you are buying due to the explanation/descriptions...
Just avoid the poor quality stuff and browse what you like...
Car boots however, you cant guarantee you will find anything sealed or mint.. (luckly for me, a game is a game so i dont mind poor condition games/consoles as at the end of the day theyre all the same to me)

At the end of the day, i guess im a cheapskate really, id rather get loads of cheap 50p games not in the best condition instead of paying £40+ for a brand new game

Adam

[Gamereviewgod]

There's a place around here called Allied Record Exchange. Sorta like a pawn shop, but only with games, movies, and music. I'd go as far to say that half of my collection ended up coming from there, including some real rarities when they first opened and didn't know what this stuff was worth (like a complete Spiderman for the 32X for $5 :D )

[anagrama]

These days I'm probably about 50/50 eBay/in the wild.
You might want to edit the options slightly - the term "Charity Shops" may confuse our Thrift-Store-hunting cousins across the pond ;)

[Moon Patrol]

Where I get my games isn't on the list. I get most of my stuff from Jed. I buy at least one thing a week from him, if not a lot more than that.

[THATinkjar]

Where I get my games isn't on the list. I get most of my stuff from Jed. I buy at least one thing a week from him, if not a lot more than that.

I put trades in the poll. That'll probably cover Jed :)

[BrokenFlight]

There's a local shop which is very cash-in-hand. He sells games off book shelves and doesn't have a till. His games usually aren't very good but it's somewhere to go to collect games.

Next is Gamestation in town. I don't go there too often because their prices seem quite high and I have to pay for the car park to go there.

I've bought a few things on ebay but it seems a little expensive. After looking around shops for a snes for a while I finally had to buy one on ebay. I got a Starwing boxed one with 6 loose games (starwing, mario world, mario allstars, adventure island, donkey kong country, dragon's lair) for £30, which was probably a bit high. I make myself feel better by saying the games are probably worth £5 each.

I went to my first car boot sale ever on Sunday. All I found was a box of 9 megadrive games and a megadrive for £10. He wouldn't go down on the price and I caved in. It turned out the megadrive didn't work and I had some of the games. Not to worry though. I got £5 for 3 of the games, so I got 6 games for £5 which isn't bad by my standards.

[Speedy_NES]

I'm also addicted to eBay, in part due to lack of other sources in my surroundings. When I lived in the US, I would sometimes visit game stores and such, but around here there are hardly any flea markets, game stores, thrifts, etc. There are no carboots, which I find unfortunate, and the thrifts that do exist are mainly for furniture so I simply ignore them. Many people in this part of Europe, from my experience, are very cheap, and ask high prices for games and other gaming items. At the first and last flea market I went to, each and every NES SMB/World Cup/Tetris compilation cart (Europe's SMB/Duck Hunt) was priced at roughly 10 dollars or more. None of the sellers were willing to bargain, either.

The majority of my collection has come from eBay - whenever I am into spending money on my collection, the first thing I look at is always eBay. This can be quite time consuming, especially here in Europe where various countries have their own eBay site, but I really enjoy searching for and finding rare goods for reasonable prices. I collect to document rather than to play, so I tend to seek out rather unusual or rare video game items, which pop up on eBay more often than I were to find them in the wild (especially with the lack of sources, in my case).

-Speedy

[Sylentwulf]

Owning an online business consisting of largely ebay, this one is pretty easy for me to answer.

Also doesn't help that there are only 2 flea markets, and NO PAWN SHOPS/Goodwill/salvation army within 30-45 miles of where I live.

[Rogmeister]

Of the choices given, I would say Ebay but there are many places I get games from that aren't in the poll. For instance, I just ordered a couple games from Amazon.com, specifically their Marketplace program. You also don't even give us a choice of going to department stores like Wal-Mart and K-Mart or even electronics stores like Best Buy and Circuit City. With all that said, I probably don't even buy a majority of my games from one place...I go all over.

[Jumpman Jr.]

I'd say about 50% of my collection is from local collectors selling out their stuff. Hmm... that isn't listed.
Other than that, I get alot of stuff through people here on DP and random thrift/used video game stores

[THATinkjar]

I'd say about 50% of my collection is from local collectors selling out their stuff. Hmm... that isn't listed.

OKay! I get the message! My poll options stink! LOL If I could edit it (and I can't), I would. We'll just have to muddle by.

[Ed Oscuro]

eBay. Poll needs an "import from overseas option," but how many people can do that anymore? eBay is a much better option for a lot of the rare/expensive games out there.

[grimbal]

I would say 90% of my used stuff comes from local game stores. I've found lots of good games from them for resonable prices.

I look at Ebay sometimes to see if there's a deal to be had but I've only resorted to Ebay for 3 things:

Ren & Stimpy Fire Dogs

Madden Championship Edition

SMS 3d Goggles

[slip81]

I also picked ebay because it's really the only place around here I can get 16-bit and below games that aren't sonic or mario related, so when I get a "classic" game it's usally from there.

But lately I haven't been buying much classic, I've been getting a lot of current gen/last gen stuff, and that usually comes from EB or Gamestop, cause ebay shipping is rediculous.

[dreamcaster]

The majority of my stuff is from Cash Converters and more recently, Good Samaritan Stores.

[AFGiant]

Game stores for me. The EBGames nearby me has quite the NES selection and they get the occasional PSX Longbox or boxed snes/genesis game. It is nearby me and a couple of the employees are likable. The manager, although not the most friendly, is pretty knowledgable. Overall, I end up buying stuff there more then anywhere else.

[UnInformer]

There is this place around here called Gamers, well three of them actually, where I get almost all of my classic games from. They are expensive (although not always), so I pretty much only shop there during sales.

Online is next.

[Crush Crawfish]

Most of my retro stuff nowadays comes from Garage sales (or car Boot sales to you guys in the UK) but back when Funcoland used to sell NES/SNES/GEN stuff, I got everything from there. I'd say at least 60% of my retro stuff was bought there.

[legov8]

I mainly get my stuff from shops. (GameStop, Electronics Boutique, GameCrazy)

[Videogamerdaryll]

Older stuff =flea markets..

Stuff I can't get at the flea markets like Neo Geo MVS carts etc.= EBay.
.....................................
New Stuff=Gamestores.

[Emily]

I get most of my games from thrift stores. I would rather stumble onto the games Im looking for by chance than just buy them off of ebay. Its more exciting for me. Not that I dont enjoy sniping up sweet deals occasionally.

[Haoie]

About 90-95% came from www.trademe.co.nz

Think of it as a kiwi Ebay.

The rest I get from pawn stores, but goodies aren't common.

[Ronfar]

I've been a trading addict for the past 4 and a half years. Between GameTZ.com, TradeGamesNow.com, and some place called Digital Press :p I've made at over 800 trades. Other than that, I also get a lot from yard sales, flea markets, thrift stores, etc.

[snes_collector]

80-90% of my stuff comes from GameStop. I rarely get anything from flea markets(and I don't to go much anymore). I NEVER find anything at yard sales. Thrift Stores usually don't have anything, or are over priced. The only GameStop near me doesn't have much for SNES, which is dissipointing, because I probably bought 50 SNES from that stoer last year. I don't eBay...yet that is. Since I rarley get any games for any other system than GC, I'll have too soon. Also, there isn't any gamestores in my town(the closes is like 30 mins anyway). Theres isn't alot for collectors in Western Virginia.

[Damaramu]

For anything new (PS2, etc.):

Gamestop
EB
Gamecrazy

Anything older (8/16 bit):

Ebay
DP
EB (same store as above, and they have a good selection of SNES, Genesis, and NES.)
Gamecrazy (Ditto)
Half Price Books
Goodwill
Pawn Shops

[Nesmaster]

hmmm...

id say a good 60-70% comes from fleas/game shops, while 25-30% comes from garage sales and the rest ebay...

[crisssybwoy]

Sadly most of my stuff comes from ebay. I used to get most stuff from Car Boot sales but now I dont have the transport to get there.

I would say 80% Ebay
10% Trades
5% Car Boot sales/junk shops
5% From local people

[MarkMan]

For myself... the top 3 sources of my gaming has come from:

1) GameStop stores...
2) eBay...
3) Receiving games from friends...

[felix]

I get all of my stuff from ebay. Its tough to find complete nes games @ flea markets and there isnt many collectors here who are willing to give up what im looking for.

[Leroy]

Most of my NES/SNES/Genny carts came from Gamestop. Since they no longer deal in the classics, I'd say it's probably split between eBay and the flea market for where I get them now. We do have a shop that sells classic NES stuff, but they're a bit overpriced and never seem to have too much to grab my attention.

[Pantechnicon]

If Charity Shops = Thrift shops (USA) then that's my main source of stuff. Perhaps 75% of my collection has come from Goodwill, Savers and Thrift Town.

[qbertandernie]

theres a local used record/cd shop that knows records like noones business....but not games.

as a result, that is where the VAST majority of my games come from.

[aaron7]

Flea markets and yard sales predominately. Oh, and Brazil (online sales) lol

[Ed Oscuro]

One other thing...went into my GameStop the other day and found out they don't even have copies of Otogi (Xbox) anymore! For chrissakes! eBay really is the way to go unless what you're looking for is brand spaking new (i.e. you have cash to burn).

[Tron 2.0]

Ebay for older systems.

Places like Circuit City&Toy's R'U'S for current systems.

I don't mess with EB and Gamestop much as i use too.

Heck i even perfer, Bestbuy even more then EB&GameStop.

[Fuyukaze]

Pawn shops and Digital press buying/selling. I hate the majority of gaming shops that are local as most are run by pricks for pricks who wouldnt know a good game if it bit them in the ass. The local flea markets normaly either dont have a good selection or are priced higher then e-bay. Plus the staff that run them tend to be dicks who think just because you can afford to wear pants, a shirt, and a pair of shoes you must be rich so therfore must not mind paying 5$ for that loose copy of Pac-Man on the 2600. Thrift shops down here have just enough brains to use e-bay, yet not enough to realize if you leave the games in the boxs and leave them laying at the other end of the store where no one can see, games end up missing while the boxs remain. Pawn shops so far tend to have the best prices, the best selection, and while they dont have very informed staff, atleast they are helpfull even if busy. I've got some rather decent buys from the DP buy/sell section. Not alwasy a killer buy, but I tend to get what I want, how I want it, and for a price I'm willing to pay.

[RetroYoungen]

Most of the games in my collection came from Funcoland (back when there was a Funcoland instead of a GameStop). I must have bought half of my games there altogether, so maybe... 300 games? Maybe more? Probably more. I can't remember anymore.

I miss Funco, being able to buy three NES games or three Genny games for five bucks, maybe a little more...

[davepesc]

Most of my games come from ebay, but I enjoy taking the kids to the flea market on Saturdays.

I'll check the thrifts and charity shops from time to time, but even when I do find something, it's usually overpriced. $50 Atari 2600s, $70 NES units and the like.

[Lothars]

Well i thought I posted in this thread already but it's all good


I get my games from Flea Markets

also get them from pawn shops and places like EB

but it's all over the map.

[kevin_psx]

For anything new (PS2, etc.):

cheapassgamer.com (whatever is $19 or less)


Anything older (8/16 bit):

Ebay
Amazon.com[/quote]

[Kejoriv]

Nes - Flea Markets and trading on here
Newer Systems - Ebay, Gamestop

[googlefest1]

unfortunatly Ebay - man do i not like that place

2nd place would be EB and gamecrazy

those are realy the only things available to me

all the pawnshops ive been to in CT say they dont take in that stuff

all the "thrift stores" ive been to have nothing

ive encountered games 2 or three times at the only 2 flea markets i know here and they were titles i had and the sellers wanted more than the chain shops

so unfortunatly i have to resort to ebay - its disapointing when more than 60% of what you pay for games is the criminal shipping charges

[AMG]

I get most of my older games (and new) at Amazon.com.

[Sam]

About 90-95% came from www.trademe.co.nz

Think of it as a kiwi Ebay.

The rest I get from pawn stores, but goodies aren't common.

Ditto - even though I'm in the capital - any pre-ps2 game but the most common of commons is a rare thing at all in NZ.

[johno590]

I get most of my older games from Thrift stores and flea markets.

A few have come from friends, pawn shops, and eBay.

[drwily008]

It used to be flea markets, I would buy bags of NES/SNES games for like $10-15 per load. Now everyone thing frickin' duckhunt is a collectors piece and charge out the ass. It makes me mad.

Anyways, now I pick up games from EBAY on the cheap and don't have to deal with stinky vendors who bought all of the good games at 6:00AM before the market even opened.

[Truffle]

I really dig the thrifts and pawns around here. I score %75 of all of my good deals there. :-P
I hit up a good amount of yard sales when I get the time.
Then ebay makes up for the occasional poor prices