AMAZING IDEA!!! How about we start a commons-club!? READ ON [Archive]

leonk

01-16-2003, 10:50 AM

PROBLEM:

I was out on my typical NES hunt and was thinking about how I keep running into the same common games which many moons ago I would have killed to own, but now just pass. Many times, this is because these games are common enough (B or less) to not warrant my time / effort to purchase and use as trade bait / sell on eBay.

And this morning I got a great idea! Here it is:

Most of us have lists of games we want. But there are 2 problems with this list:

- we're the only ones who have it
- we're looking in only our local small market of the country

SOLUTION:

Join a common trading club. Where I would have the list of a few users and when I'm out shopping, I will buy these games, and then sent them to the perspective buyer. The buyer must pay actual cost + shipping (no profit taking allowed!) And in return, someone will do the same for you!

So what does one need to join the club?? Easy.

1) Come up with a list (in spreadsheet format) or what you need
2) You must write down if you're willing to live with only the game or box/manual is a must.
3) How much you are willing to pay max per cart (this number must be generic.. don't assign value per cart on your list!)
4) The condition of games you're willing to live with.

Sure all of us have games that are considered rare / hard to find and they will be excempt from the club (unless some people are nice enough to sell hard to find games at great prices).

RESULT:

Not only will our collections grow much faster since the market we hit is going to be so huge, but we might actually save $$$ in the process!! Think about it, instead of buying 5 games for yourself, you'd buy 30 games in total for others on your list and save due to volume purchase! You'd also break into markets where game A was considered a common but rare in your area.

Let me know what you guys think.
[/b]

Sniderman

01-16-2003, 11:24 AM

Great idea, yes. But a great way for losers to pad their own collections without contributing anything. Unless you could trust everyone who joined, it'll be a bigger headache than it's worth.

Hate to rain on it, but I've seen similar "clubs" fall the same way. Good luck though.

Keir

01-16-2003, 11:30 AM

Another advantage, though maybe this only applies to me, is that you would be way more likely to find something and less likely to buy something you don't really want just because you didn't find anything that day.

leonk

01-16-2003, 11:41 AM

We can introduce a points system or sort.. every game sent out earns you a point. So people with high points are more likely to get games from others with high points..

while new comers need to send out more games before others will send to them..

LK

autobotracing

01-16-2003, 12:01 PM

yeah we would have to either have a middle man for all the deals or have some way of keeping ripoffs from getting in on this.I would be down for this for sure but I think it should only be between verified people who are already in the trusted traders post or some other verification {phone call ,ect}

the main thing is to make sure this goes smooth and not end up in a mess. If this gets organized well im sure It will work.

hydr0x

01-16-2003, 01:33 PM

great idea, but i don't like that point system, mainly because where i live there are nearly no possibilities to get many games, and it's a pain in the ass to find things, so i couldn't send many games to others, but that wouldn't be my fault at all :( (btw i'm from germany)

leonk

01-16-2003, 03:09 PM

I guess we'll have to make sure that people are trading within the same area (i.e. North America NTSC, PAL, etc..)

LK

IGotTheDot

01-16-2003, 03:28 PM

The last common games I need for the 2600 are
Chase the Chuckwagon
Halloween
Cubicolor
Crazy Climber

Can anyone hook me up for cost? :D

Tritoch

01-16-2003, 03:47 PM

Wouldn't it be extremely difficult to keep in mind everyone's want lists?

Six Switch

01-16-2003, 04:55 PM

Sounds good.If you start this up I'm in. :D 8-)

GENESISNES

01-16-2003, 05:13 PM

I would be in if you made this club, but the only thing is that:

1.)some people wouldn't go looking for games, and they would just mooch off of what they buy from other people

2.)Of course somebody is going to add 50cents or a buck to the bought price

make a rule that the game cant cost more than 5 bucks

like im not gonna go out and buy a chase the chuckwagon for 100 bucks for somebody, and expect them to pay me the money right away.

norkusa

01-16-2003, 05:26 PM

I would be very interested in doing this also. I only need around 100 carts to complete my NES collection (about half of which are commons), so this would be a great way to fill some holes.

I agree with what Tritoch said though. It would be tough to keep in mind everyones lists. Imagine bringing a stack of want-lists with you whenever you go out to the thrifts. Maybe we can just exchange our list with one person. That way we can be more focused on what we would be looking for. This would also help aviod problems such as several people picking up the same cart for one person.

leonk

01-16-2003, 05:46 PM

Excellent.. so next step..

Post your name, systems you collect for, how many common carts you need, and max price you are willing to pay. Also, post the average number of places you know around you and how many games they got.. Lastly, the average price per cart you are willing to pay.

So.. let me start it off...

Leon Kiriliuk
Collect NES
Need ~200 common carts
I'm aware of 5-10 places around me
About 200 different games can be easily be picked up around my
area.
I'm willing to pay ~3-5$CDN (~3$US) per NES cart
I'm looking for excellent condition cart in the front (i.e. label mint, no writing anywhere, but back cover can have scratches since I can replace them).

Looking for: Other NES collector.

We can then match people up at which point they will exchange lists..

LK

leonk

01-16-2003, 05:48 PM

There's one other benefit to the club..

all the fun in the hunt begins AGAIN! :)

LK

ghsqb

01-16-2003, 08:56 PM

leonk- Like many of the others, I think that if done right, this can work well.
I am interested in participating and would even be willing to help out with getting it off the ground, if you need some help.

Drop me a PM if youd like to take me up on it.

NESCollector75

01-16-2003, 10:30 PM

Alright I would be intrested in helping some collectors out as I have a pawnshop near me that has a ton of commens. I would say prob. 250 NES not all are in good condition though. Games $3.25-$5 each. They only ever have maybe 1-2 complete, close to none with instructions. So if you want to send me your list. They also have SNES games which are 6.50-10 each. Playstation games price ranges depending on the game. Genny games I think are 5, saturn games I am unsure. Gameboy games are 10 unless tetris thats 5 game gear 5. basicaly send me your list with what system and commens (they have stuff for pretty much all NTSC) They normaly have lots of PS2 games which I think are about 20-25 each depending on the game. Including everything because if they have lots it will drasticaly reduce your shipping. I would prefer to deal with well known members. Also I will only take Paypal payments, as I do not have alot of money. I dont mind buying the stuff for you but I need a prompt payment back.

EDIT: E-mail list here: clyde_20@hotmail.com
Prices are roughly what I rember the prices being, there not in stone if its cheaper you get it cheaper, if its more then I don't buy it. Also not just commens but uncommens because im sure there are lots of those as well. You can send me your want list for rare stuff (seperate list please), and if I happen to come accross it and im not collecting that system, I see no problem with picking it up for you!

leonk

01-16-2003, 11:31 PM

Great...

If you guys want, I can code up a web site that will allow us to login, upload our want list.. and it'll keep track of our trades. It'll take a couple of weeks to complete.. but I think it'll be helpful (so I hope).

But for now I guess we can go about it manually.. so we have 1 volunteer.. GREAT.. If anyone has a want list.. e-mail me @ leonki@yahoo.com.

I'll use it during the "hunt" this coming weekend. Also, one must ASSUME that anything on that list must be purchased. I.e. if you say you need game ABC and I find it and buy it, you must buy it from me.

Also.. if possible, please include sales receipts. We can also all see how much shipping costs. Remember.. profit is not the point here.. sharing is.. if we work together.. we'll grow faster, bigger and CHEAPER! (otherwise we're all gonna be STUCK buying from eBay or waiting for years for a common game to show up at stores near us!)

LK

The Young Game Collector

01-16-2003, 11:36 PM

I wouldn't mind helping coding. :-D

jonjandran

01-17-2003, 12:22 AM

I wouldn't mind helping. I don't need any common games. But I hit the flea markets and pawn shops every day. If somebody wants I'll get games for them. Just e-mail me a list at jonjandran@aol.com and make sure you put a price. Most nes I can get for $1-5 , Genesis same, SNES $4-8 , N64 $7-10 , Playstation $8-10, PS2 - $15. XBox $15-20 , etc. I don't need to make a profit so it would be cost plus shipping. Pay-Pal payments would be fine.

If we wait until we get several games and then ship ups the cost wouldn't be that high either.

Let's Make it Happen.

NESCollector75

01-17-2003, 12:33 AM

I can see 3 problems arising already.
1st: Fleas and Pawns near dont give receipts. Except for 1
2nd: Only send your list to one person because if you send to person A and person B and both Person A + B find what you need Person B is out there money.
3rd: Is directed at TYGC: I don't know if your SS situation was cleared up, but until it is I think you should stay away from this "club"

video_game_addict

01-17-2003, 12:44 AM

I'm not interested as this is mostly a NES thing, although I wouldn't mind a cross system trading thing, the only thing I'm collecting now is complete Genesis games, but really there aren't many I want. I do however see MANY Nes games pretty much all loose, and wouldn't mind helping out.

The only problem I see, besides the stuff that's already been mentioned before, like equal trading/sharing, and not ripping people off/jacking up prices is the above statement:

Also, one must ASSUME that anything on that list must be purchased. I.e. if you say you need game ABC and I find it and buy it, you must buy it from me.

This could be a problem as some people have already mentioned needing 100 to 200 carts and even at a low $3 each could get expensive, say you bought ahead of time 25 or so carts at $75 plus shipping, might be more than someone can afford at one time.

Also if EVERYONE is looking for everyone else, multiple games might be bought at the same time/weekend. :/

Also it costs me money to accept Paypal, I would need to mark the price up, which seems to vary depending on payment type, somewhat to keep from loosing money on swaps.

Maybe trading partners?? Paired up instead of one big free-for-all?
That's the only way I see it working.

And shipping could get expensive for US to Canada. What was it like $18 to ship those games to you the other week Leonk? That's nearly a $1 a pop, on top of the preset price range. Shipping to the same states/Country might keep that down a bit, assuming partners could be worked out that way.

I currently have near me:

1 GameStop (maybe 150 NES)
2 EBs (maybe 100 or so between the 2)
1 Rhino (smaller Indy game store, 250+ NES)
3 local Flea market vendors (Every weekend, 1000+/- NES)
Over 30 Pawns/Junk/Consignment/Thrifts locally (varies daily, but I seem to find un-needed Nes stuff almost weekly)

ghsqb

01-17-2003, 09:19 AM

Ok NesCollector brought up a great point.
We post our respective lists and then 2 people fill an item on 1 persons list....and the idea of simply swapping with one person only defeats the purpose of broadening the search area.

I think these are solveable problems.
The key would be a website that hosted a database where people could identify each others "needs" and "haves" and prearrange a deal before one person has 3 or 4 people sending carts.

For reference sake, kind of like GameTZ was, but without the losers, since participation would be limited to the Digitpress community.

I think there is a sound idea here, just need to refine it.
And i do agree also that this should be something that crosses over to multiple consoles, rather than just NES.

Thoughts?

leonk

01-17-2003, 10:22 AM

Folks,

I never said NES only.. Heck, there's one store near by that carries *A LOT* or shrink wrapped Game Gear games.. of which many might be considered rare! As well as a huge wall of Genesis, Neo Geo, SMS, SNES, and what not games..

To top it off, this person has no clue when it comes to prices on stuff older than 3 years!!!

MY only problem with him is that he has very few NES games.. :)

OK.. We have to think this over better, because many times we want as little interference to our daily hunt as possible. i.e. when we're out looking for games for ourselves, and see something that another person wants/needs, we don't want to go back home, logon, confirm, and then go back to the store to get it..

too much time, too much effort. We need to come up with a system where people know that if they see game A then they'll buy. Also, the partner who'se going to get the game mailed to them, must specify a limit (e.g. do not purchase more than 10 games @ 5$ each).

Not only that, but the partner doesn't have to specify what games they'd really like since we're hunting only common games! :-D

LK

gamergary

01-17-2003, 03:31 PM

NESCollector75

01-17-2003, 04:19 PM

I'll join i mainly need any nes game which but i would only have money to pay for commons or uncommons. Another point came up when i was thinking people with a 10% off card are going to charge the label price so they are making a 10% profit with each game they sell.

No well, hopefuly not, we must trust that each is honest with the other. So people please dont mark things up (that includes exchange rate in border deals)

leonk

01-17-2003, 05:35 PM

NESCollector: I agree!

Folks, how many of you have seen "A Beautiful Mind" ???

Same principle.. we can go against one another all day on places like eBay, and end up paying crazy amounts of money, or we can help one another and all win!

So if you can get an AMAZING deal for bulk purchases (E.g. 10 games @ 3$ per game where you know this collection would have averaged 5-7$ on eBay) then it should promote you to do the same to others!

The biggest problem is getting people organized. So this is what I suggest. Rotating partners!!!

So.. this week NESCollector and I are partners.. he'll e-mail me what games he found for me and I'll e-mail what games I found for him. Then next week, each one of us will get a different partner and so on, and so on!

This way, "paper work" has to be on the part of the buyer/seller and one will have no duplication + the bonus of getting as many games out there as possible!

Also, as the buyer (i.e. person supplying the list) you must cover all shipping & paypal / bidpay prices. Also, you must report back to this thread in regards to how the trade went and what you got / price (no need for actual game names, but rather 10 games at 4$US each.. etc..)

So.. NESCollector.. I'm waiting for your list!!

Others, post your info here and start partnering up! You got until next weekend to finish the trades.

:)

LK

SuperSoccerJess

01-17-2003, 06:23 PM

Sounds good to me! I'm in, but I agree that you guys need to set up a website or something. I need a ton of stuff but for the most part nothing rare because I don't buy games to collect I buy the ones that I think are fun. I have Atari 2600, NES, SNES, Genesis, Playstation, N64, XBox, and GameCube. I'll give more specifics later when I set up a want-list. I wouldn't be able to afford much though because I'm a 16 year-old without a job at the time, although I'm looking, and I'm also a loser who can't drive. There is also a shortage of good gaming places around here although we do have an EB at the mall and a Funco maybe? But it might have shut down. And there are also like 3 thrift shops and a flea market that's pretty good...

And the problem with me is that although rotating partners does seem like a brilliant solution to the problem, I don't know about once a week. I usually don't get out to look for video games all that often. I go to the mall a lot and they have an EB and this other old-school gaming store so that could work, but it's still probably less time that I would be looking for video games as opposed to how much time someone else would spend on it. I would go more often, but as I stated above, I still can't drive. I don't even have my temps yet. And I also am a little short on cash at the moment. So, I don't know if this would pose a problem for whoever my partner is? Unless they just have to be informed about my situation and keep that in mind when they are with me?

-Jessi

leonk

01-17-2003, 11:54 PM

OK.. maybe then twice a month or once a month..

The point is that we need a list of participants, and we can just keep track of it here.. in the public.

It's up to the participants to get their lists up to date and update the buyers. We can then chronologically swap partners.. after a few months, your collection might have games for 1/2 the country in it!

So.. lets here it now.. who'se in??

LK

NESCollector75

01-18-2003, 04:58 PM

I wouldn't be able to afford much though because I'm a 16 year-old without a job at the time, although I'm looking, and I'm also a loser who can't drive. And I also am a little short on cash at the moment. So, I don't know if this would pose a problem for whoever my partner is? Unless they just have to be informed about my situation and keep that in mind when they are with me?-Jessi

I am in the same kind of boat so maybe we should be partners. But I have one other problem I buy games that I want to play, alot of the games are either Rare-but go cheap on ebay OR commen-uncommen and go for alot on ebay so I dont see how anybody would want to help me. But I can still help other people out!