Best Tip to finding games!

[NESCollector75]

What has been your best tip that you have got on this board that has helped you in the wild?
The best tip I have got was when at garage sales ask if they have the consol for sale as well. I went to one garage sale and bought 9 games for 5 dollars (one was final fantasy) I asked the guy if he had a NES system too. He said that he did and I could have it for 5 bucks! so he went inside, it wasn't there but it was just around the corners at his parents house. He comes back and there is more NES games inside (another final fantasy,zelda,link plus more) and there was some SNES games inside that box, so he takes them out "Im sure you dont want these" I said sure ill take em 5 games for 5 bucks (one was final fantasy 2) then he says you don't happen to want the SNES system too do you? I said sure for another 5 bucks. He goes inside and comes back with the system as well as a COMPLETE Chrono trigger and Final Fantasy 3! (as well as some others) And I got it all for 20 dollars canadian (12.50 US) So I have to say that was the best tip I've ever got, and would like to know of any others that have led anybody to great finds!

[Captain Wrong]

I've learned through years of looking in thrifts, cover the entire store before calling it quits. I've seen videogames in damn near every "department" of thrift stores at one time or another, even on top of racks in clothing!

Also, besure to open all those unmarked boxes in electronics. Often times there's nothing but crap in them, but a few weeks ago I got an INTV 2 and 21 boxed games for $3 because they were in an unmarked printer paper box I almost overlooked. Check storage boxes for 8 tracks and cassettes too, ofthen times carts can find their way in there.

[Kess]

Matt's Tip 'o' Collecting

always inquire

My genesis 35-in-1 multicart was lieing there without a SKEW number, so I asked him about it. The guy gave it to me for free.

[Tetsu]

As a Colecovision fan, I've learned to check any and all Atari game bins for stray CV carts. Sometimes boxes full of 8-Track tapes have good finds in them! To the untrained eye, all "tapes" look the same. Make sure you exploit this fact and profit from your trained eye.

[Raedon]

don't forget the Pawn shops.. Remember that people need money for whatever reason on Fridays so Friday is a good day to look for games at Pawn shops.

Pawn shops put their new stuff out from 10:00am-noon, search at lunch :)

No matter where you are, every weekend there is a flea market going on Saturday morning within 1 hours driving distance.. go to them when they open (8am) not later in the day, Everyone will buy a Atari 2600 with games for $10 if it's put out for them. Your not the only one hunting. Remember which ones are good and the people you get the deals from.. heckle and snicker at the people who want $60 for a Game Gear and $5 for Mario/duck hunt :)

be friendly with your suppliers. They are nice enough to sell you Dragon Warrior IV for $3.00 boxed instead of taking it to Ebay.

[kainemaxwell]

Always check bargin bins at the big stores, root aorund in the piles and check thrift shops and inquire.

[leonk]

I second the pawn shops.. but garage sales are also great!

LK

[Jorpho]

Aren't most pawn shops a little, well, shady? Or at least in shady parts of town?
________
GAY FUCK TRAI (http://www.fucktube.com/video/10705/hardcore-gay-anal-fuck-train)

[TRM]

have luck at the pawn shop I went to. Only two NES controllers, an NES advantage and a regular.

My best tip is ALWAYS relook through the games before you leave, even if you don't see anything at first glance. I missed some rare games at first look, but at a closer glance found them.

Also, ask friends. I'm sure you all do this already, but be persistant. Sometimes the ones who don't sell originally will sell a few months later.

[Raedon]

@Jorpho: Pawn shops are a great source of games for several reasons the greatest being they don't collect anything. Pawn Shops are about turn around and put one price on Super Nintendo game $5.00 N64 game $10.00 no matter what it is. Where most places that have games see RPG $20+, Mario $15+, Sports $1.. Pawns don't care.. they buy for a buck and sell for 3. they made there profit. Also Pawn shops on the edges of town or in area's where kids don't go you will find old stacks of snes, genesis games and equipment.. I got a mint Piggieback Sega CD this way, the guy there didn't even know what it was and it had been there so long it still had a $99.99 price tag.. I told him it was an old Sega system and he said he would take $30 for it with whatever when with it. Same place I got a Zelda Magora's mask for $10 and an Earthbound and Castlevania: Dracula X for 5.00 each.. pawn shops are like little micro flea markets that no game collectors go to. Ask anyone at a Gamestop that is looking threw NES games where the best place to get say, Final Fantasy III is and you will here, "Ebay or here man"

Pawn Shops are untouched by game collectors still, it's like Africa out there.. do yourself a favor and go clear em out while you still can.

[CrazyImpmon]

My favorite is to print up your own business card offering to buy any old video games. The business card sheet could be bought at your favorite office supply store and you could print it.

It's how I scored a SNES lot a year ago including a mint CIB Final Fantasy 2, 3 and Chrono Trigger for measly $35. It was the only score so far but it worked.

[Achika]

Crazy Impmon is right. I haven't put out business cards, but I have made it known that I am a collector of all things. And amazingly I've found that no one charges me more, but they are just glad to get the stuff off their hands.

Pawn shops around here are untouched by kids, mostly because kids aren't allowed in without their parents. The theory of Pawn shops is similar to the stock market: Buy low sell high.

Cap't: you're lucky, if the box doesn't have a price that the local thrift stores, you're lucky if they'll let you buy it.

I can seem to hagle everywhere but the fleamarket! They just won't take my bait!

[Jorpho]

I mean, walking around near pawn shops seems like a good way to find a mugger. There are good reasons why there aren't many kids there, no?
________
Fetish extreme (http://www.fucktube.com/categories/510/extreme/videos/1)

[Raedon]

I mean, walking around near pawn shops seems like a good way to find a mugger. There are good reasons why there aren't many kids there, no?

lol! You've been watching to many movies.

Pawn shops close at or before 6pm.. a good 3 hours before it gets dark.

Actually I see kids in some pawn shops all the time.. the ones I don't see them in are the shops that are way out on the edge of town where you really have to drive to.

[Slate]

Always ask in yard sales if they have videogames they'd like to get rid of.

But always, Always figure out if they're the type to have any before you ask.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Chit-chat with the seller. Often times saying stuff like "Please" and "Thank you" will net you a discount. I've gotten really cheap stuff because I'm polite. :)

[dan2357]

Chit-chat with the seller. Often times saying stuff like "Please" and "Thank you" will net you a discount. I've gotten really cheap stuff because I'm polite. :)
This has to be number one. Kill them With kindness. dont be all mean and demanding about how much you will offer.

PLAY DUMB when you see a game or system be like wow lok at that thing what is it? Can you even still hook that up to a tv?

[mailman187666]

sometimes even at the flea markets, if you go to somebody that always has games every sunday, get to know them. Pay a couple extra bucks for an atari cart here and there, talk to them about what games to look out for and exchange tips with them. Eventually (unless you are a loser) the will get to know you and like you and will eventually be like "for you $5" its worked for me, kinda goes with the whole being polite/being a regular kinda thing.

[Slate]

PLAY DUMB when you see a game or system be like wow lok at that thing what is it? Can you even still hook that up to a tv?

Playing it dumb can be to your advantage if you do it right.

If you see some old games at a yard sale, Don't walk straight to the games, Go over everything at the sale, Then Ask "Whats that old computer thing?" That's right, NEVER let them know that you know what it is.

Also make it look like you don't have a lot of cash, Never show them that you have the money to buy that NES at $20 when you're getting it at $8! ONLY use change, $1 bills and $5 bills.

[Blitzwing256]

Protip 1
Be sure to talk to all townfolk multiple times as sometimes they change what they say.

protip 2
also search every corner and cabinet, you never know what you might find.

Protip 3
always search for any lost pendants as the owner will surely reward you.

bonus protip
and finally don't touch the Den Den

[bunbunz23]

I think pawn shops are the best for me; especially the shops in small towns. I get most of my best deals from these pawn shops in Virginia

[Steven]

Like much in life, a lot of it is about being at the right place at the right time. Other tips: socialize with sellers (whether online or in person) b/c it's always a bonus if you're "buddy buddy" with someone -- but do it moreso because you enjoy it than to get a good deal -- but that's just me. Ask around and let people know what you're looking for. I used to think it was "bad" to let others know about what you want, as you might drive up competition but since then (years ago) I adopted a more "who cares" mentality and let people know what I'm looking for. I figure eventually I'll get it, and the more active you hunt for it, the better shot you will have.

Never be afraid to stick to your guns as far as price is concerned. Be knowledgable and asking for a few bucks off here and there really add up.

[Steven]

sometimes even at the flea markets, if you go to somebody that always has games every sunday, get to know them. Pay a couple extra bucks for an atari cart here and there, talk to them about what games to look out for and exchange tips with them. Eventually (unless you are a loser) the will get to know you and like you and will eventually be like "for you $5" its worked for me, kinda goes with the whole being polite/being a regular kinda thing.

yup, at the flea market I occasionally hit on Saturdays I made friends with this nice Asian old man. For me he sells Genesis carts $3, everybody else $5.

He's given me some great trades. Like Bubsy/F-Zero for Metal Warriors -- you get the picture. Just last weekend he asked me how old I thought he looked. Honestly, 44. He said 60.

I was like daaaaaaaaaaaang. But yeah, I love that guy he hooks me up and it started about four months ago when I started talking with him. It's all about getting to know each other.

[Steve W]

I go out to my local flea, and there's a collector guy with all sorts of classic gaming, and he usually cuts me a break on prices. I know my stuff, and we stand around talking shop a lot. If you buy from the same booths at a flea market a lot, get to know the owner.

There's one really good thrift in my area, that's very reliable about getting videogame hardware and software in. They tend to keep a lot of their game cartridges in an awkward location, so you only see them when you're walking out the exit, and only if you're looking in the right spot. I've learned to check certain places like that one that not too many people would look at, and it's netted me some good stuff. Get to know the layout of the stores you hit, and over time eliminate the stores on your route (if you hit multiple stores) that you don't find anything of interest. I've found that little independent stores or lesser known chains tend to have the best stuff. I don't find much at Goodwill, and have virtually never found anything at Salvation Army.

Check the bagged toys area in some stores. I've found baggies of Intellivision, Colecovision, and TI Home Computer carts in different thrifts. That's usually pretty rare to find, but still, it doesn't hurt to check.

[bangtango]

Pawn shops only have a shady reputation because people show up to pawn guns, leather jackets, jewelry and old baseball cards there.

As for the Salvation Army, there are enough people who are embarrassed to go in there that you can sometimes find something.

All the good tips have already been given.

[Kevincal]

What has been your best tip that you have got on this board that has helped you in the wild?
The best tip I have got was when at garage sales ask if they have the consol for sale as well. I went to one garage sale and bought 9 games for 5 dollars (one was final fantasy) I asked the guy if he had a NES system too. He said that he did and I could have it for 5 bucks! so he went inside, it wasn't there but it was just around the corners at his parents house. He comes back and there is more NES games inside (another final fantasy,zelda,link plus more) and there was some SNES games inside that box, so he takes them out "Im sure you dont want these" I said sure ill take em 5 games for 5 bucks (one was final fantasy 2) then he says you don't happen to want the SNES system too do you? I said sure for another 5 bucks. He goes inside and comes back with the system as well as a COMPLETE Chrono trigger and Final Fantasy 3! (as well as some others) And I got it all for 20 dollars canadian (12.50 US) So I have to say that was the best tip I've ever got, and would like to know of any others that have led anybody to great finds!

Now see, I couldn't do that knowing what that stuff is worth. I mean, you are ripping the guy off plain and simple. That stuff is worth hundreds of dollars together...And how much do you want to bet that was his/her kids stuff in the house that he probably didn't want to sell...but his mom/dad didn't know. You should have atleast told them how much Chrono and FF3 were worth...You got a great deal anyway on the rest of the stuff. I can appreciate getting a good deal sometimes, but in this case I think it's not very honorable to do what you did. Sorry.

[kentuckyfried]

At Flea Markets, always ask if they have video games.

I was at a stall that seemed to have everything but the kitchen sink (and video games), so I asked if they had any games and the man said "well, I've got these here", and he pulled out a small box that had 6 really old Nintendo Game & Watches, most were r7 125$! He sold them to me for 20$ apiece :)

[MrRoboto19XX]

I second the playing dumb thing - in a sense.

I try not to play dumb as much as play curious.

"Hey, a nintendo, good times yeah?"

-look around for a bit

"You know, I think I may go with that nintendo over there, have some fun with it"

Now, after that sentence is the ideal time to ask if they have "x" game, make it ANY game. If youre lucky they may have some more games for sale that they may have thought wouldnt sell or something.

People have great memories with their videogames, tell them about your memories as well. (but dont go overboard) people like to know theyre dealing with a person like themselves.

Oh, and if at a yard sale, flea market etc. I like to shake hands with the seller and say something along the lines of "Thanks man, you have a nice day" or "Ill stop by again sometime".

Phew, that was long winded, but I guess in the end its all about just being a nice guy. Or girl.

[50TBRD]

Check out other auction sites. New one and one that no one uses. They don't have a lot to offer but soemtimes they have something that Ebay doesn't and sometimes they have something dirt cheap. A while back I was looking for Wild Guns and found one on some sidestream auction site with only one guy selling SNES games. All his games were inexpensive and came boxed. And Ebay wasn't offering one.

The playing dumb thing does work, only I wasn't playing. I asked about some old looking TV video game system one time at a flea market, I wasn't interested but the lady wouldn't leave me alone after I asked about it. I could have goten it for a steal.

[rbudrick]

Old grannies will give you their old Pongs and Ataris if you give them your body for an hour. They'll certainly look harder for the damn systems too, rather than "get back to you later." Money don't always talk.

-Rob

[exit]

Well always expect the unexpected, even when you're not expecting anything. I walked into a local pawnshop today and had a great find (BOF IV and Suikoden for $6.99 each) and really only went in there just to browse. Now I'll pop in there every so often when I go treasure hunting.