I think I'm selling my entire collection... need advice

[aaron7]

Ok, I've been collecting Nintendo NES games/acc/memorbelia for years now... but finantial problems and a general loss of interest are taking their toll.

We're talking boxed (some new) accessories, systems, games, signs, a lunch box, napkins, piano, you name it!

I spent over a $1000 on bootleg and Brazillian imports (and have the paypal history to prove it!)

So here's my dillema. I have no idea how to sell this stuff, as I don't have a clue to it's value; and it would take forever to list everything individually... but selling everything as a lot might be a HUGE disadvanage.

I just don't know what to do! :(

[ClubNinja]

In situations like this, I take a three-step approach.

1) Look for interest in direct contacts I've made in the collecting process. Know another guy who's into bootleg NES carts? Contact him first.

2) Forums. The one key rule here is do NOT compromise too far on what you NEED to get for the stuff.

3) eBay. Listing sucks, but it has to be done.

Also, let me chime in before some of the "don't sell it - put it away!" post come through. Sell it. You won't regret it.

[aaron7]

Sell it. You won't regret it.


Yah, I need to hear that. But why do you say that, experience?

I don't know what happened to me. I used to love going hunting for games at flea markets, getting home, playing them... etc.

Now I just use emulators, very rarely too, as I never really play old games anymore!

[ClubNinja]

Personally? Two reasons.

First, I've always love arcade games and pinball more than classic console games; however, when I started collecting, I only had the space for console stuff. Once I was able to expand into the arcade/pinball hobby, console gaming outside of just playing my favorites sometimes was outgrown.

Second, I have a family, a job that I work over 40 hours at, a house to maintain, and all those other lovely responsibilities. While I know that other folks here have all of that (and more in some cases), for *me*, I felt that all the time I spent in thrift stores, driving around to flea markets on the weekends, and testing stacks of cartridges was just wasted time that I could be at home with my family. In general, the arcade hobby consists more of scouting contacts and the internet than driving out to unknown locations to dig through trash looking for a few Atari carts. I can do all of my "hunting" between tasks at work throughout the day so when it comes time to actually act, I usually just have to make one calculated trip someplace. The time I spend restoring games at home is more fulfilling because the whole family can sort of get involved and we feel like we're *doing* something, instead of just plugging in carts. Plus, it's a more social hobby for me, my family, my friends, and the people I've met in the hobby.

So, with all that in mind, I started cutting loose console stuff almost two years ago and continue to do so as we speak. I still have consoles and games I love, I still buy new consoles for the few games I dig on them, but I'll never buy another console or console game again just to "have" it. Of everything I've ever sold relating to games, I miss NOTHING except for one thing - and that's a pinball machine. If it's time to move on and you're in a financial situation, then it's time to move on. You're doing the right thing.

[aaron7]

Just noticed you're in New England as well. Must be the 'NE winter depression thing' LOL

[ClubNinja]

Hehe, no, nothing to do with that - I like to get rid of crappy console stuff in the summer, too ;)

[Arcade Antics]

So here's my dillema. I have no idea how to sell this stuff, as I don't have a clue to it's value; and it would take forever to list everything individually... but selling everything as a lot might be a HUGE disadvanage.
The harsh reality: you won't get anywhere *near* what you spent on it (unless you bought everything dirt cheap), but *especially* if you sell it all at once in a big lot. One big lot is the best as far as your time spent in getting rid of it, but for price, it's the worst. Even if you part it out, you stand (generally) to only gain a few bucks per cart unless you single out the super rare stuff and your timing is perfect.

Still, it shouldn't dissuade you from selling everything off, whether it's to pay other financial obligations, you're disinterested in the games, or any combination of the two+whatever other things factor into your decision.

[Jibbajaba]

The only thing that I would add to this, and I know that it has been said before, is that you may want to hang on to a few things. If you are not doing this for the money, but rather to free up space and just get out of the hobby in general, then there is no reason not to set aside some of the rarer stuff. I would say just grab one box (Like one of those file boxes they sell at office stores with the handles and shit), and figure that you can keep anything that you can stick in there. Then you can just tape it up and put it out in the garage. One of those boxes will hold quite a few carts or other small items, but take up little space.

As I see it, half the fun of this hobby is going out and finding stuff, so even if you got rid of your collection and then decided later that you wanted to get back into it, it would be fun to go out hunting again and find lots of stuff that you need instead of leaving most things behind. But there are some things that all of us have that were a bitch to get ahold of, and you may not want to part with them so quickly.

I could get rid of the vast majority of my collection rather quickly, but a few things I would box up and throw out in the garage for a rainy day.

Chris

[Captain Wrong]

I agree with Club Ninja 100% and I'm booting this to Classic Gaming as I think you may find more help there.

[BrokenFlight]

I'm thinking of selling off most of my crappy games. There are lots I almost never play any more, and some I haven't played at all. I get latched to addictions easily, and recently it's been buying games for the sake of it.

I have about 70 Megadrive games, of which I've probably played 45-50, of which I've played 20 in any depth.

I sometimes have days where I do nothing but play games, mainly ones I haven't touched before. But mostly, they collect dust on the shelf.

I'm not a hardcore gamer, and I'm not a true collector. I just amass games. I even have five 2600 games but no console to play them on with no intentions on buying a 2600.

I think I need to get my life priorities in order.

Edit: I just remembered the 35 Spectrum games I bought. What was I thinking? That's an awful computer. Oh well, £4 for that lot.

[Trebuken]

I am not sure what it costs to put a listing on ebay but you may want to list the 'whole' collection with a reserve that is what you think it is worth. It probably will not sell, but you will see what people are willing to bid on it. If it does sell, then...

Else extract the most valuable items and sell them individually. You should expect to get more at least %50 more than the DP Guide suggests for truly Rare games.

Group the common stuff in lots, set a reserve you can live with, if it does not sell, reconfigure or lower you reserve and relist. You should not try to sell it over night, pay a little extra in ebay fees and take your time to maximize your return.

Let everyone here know when you list your stuff, many of the people here are probably all over ebay and willing to spend the money on your stuff. You'll still have a connection to your collection if it is bought by DP members. Maybe they will send you pictures on the holidays.

You can always start collecting again. The collecting can be fun in itself.

Good Luck,
Trebuken

[aaron7]

I think that's a lot of it. I've collected so many for so long, that there isn't much left for me to find in the wild.

So far all I've sold is one game, my Caltron.

[gepeto]

If you do decide to sell it I say step back and take a Time out to think it through and give yourself a safety valve second chance to seriously see if it is something you want to do.

I say this because there have been a few high profile game collection liquidations on dp over the past few months and
seeing someone liquidate can only cause one to do some self analyzing.

Everybody has there reasons when they do it and everyone has a different reaction to when it is done. One thing both have in common when its gone its gone.

One of the reasons for the loss of interest could be alot of other things going on in your life.

Will selling collection rectify the financial problem or simply put it on hold for a few months.

One thing for sure you like games and at some point liked collecting.

For me I would only sell as a last resort
but if I did sell my collection I would initially be happy with the money but over time I would start longing to collect things that I onced owned.

As the years go on games and systems are getting harder to find.

I have a wife a kid a job but video games are my hobby. I grew up in the era from the beginning so it is a part of me.

Videogames have been a big part of your life can you cut it down and once you recover financially will you be happy.

Good luck

[InsaneDavid]

The only thing that I would add to this, and I know that it has been said before, is that you may want to hang on to a few things. If you are not doing this for the money, but rather to free up space and just get out of the hobby in general, then there is no reason not to set aside some of the rarer stuff. I would say just grab one box (Like one of those file boxes they sell at office stores with the handles and shit), and figure that you can keep anything that you can stick in there. Then you can just tape it up and put it out in the garage. One of those boxes will hold quite a few carts or other small items, but take up little space.

That's great advice. If you get rid of it all be sure to hang onto those things that were hard to find or have special value to you. For instance the most valuable thing I have in my collection is a loose copy of Grand Prix for the 2600. "Your collection must suck, why's that rare? It's dirt common!" See it's the first video game I ever played, not just a copy of Grand Prix but the actual physical cartridge. When I was two years old that was the first video game I ever played, as in the very first, on my Uncle's VCS. Eventually it made its way to me when he dumped his VCS carts (gave them all to me) years and years ago. So to me that's the most valuable game I will ever own.

[Steven]

if you know you've outgrown interest in it, if you know you won't regret selling it -- GO FOR IT.

I sold over 100 Saturn games recently, and have no regrets. Mind you, I plucked only the ones I didn't need or played anymore (or see myself ever playing [again])

[Blitzwing256]

i'm doing simmilar with the newwer stuff like exbawks and peestoo games that I just never liked, but broken record time, just keep the stuff you like and exchange the rest of it for stuff you want need (money, ho's whatever ;-) )

and as a side note, I'd be interested in the pirate stuff ,particularly the brazilain pirates as i'd like to dump and preserve them where aplicable (plus you know pirates are fun) hit me up with what you have and we can work something out :-)

[§ Gideon §]

Two words: No regrets.

Generally, I despise giving advice because it sounds like I think I'm special or something. But a few of you sound like you regret wasting time, and I beg to differ. You can't waste time, so long as you live it while it's happening and learn from it afterwards. Oh yeah, there's the moving on part, too. You can't stop moving.

For an easy guide on how to live life the Gideon way, send a check or money order to my inbox--just 3 easy payments of 999 meseta!

[crisssybwoy]

Sell it if it is not making you happy/you dont use it!
I'm in the process of selling all my console stuff. It takes for ever & a day to list things on eBay, so I started selling on the forums to start with.
Stuff that is left over is off to ebay (although this is taking a lot longer than i hoped, due to family commitments). Some of the stuff I am selling as collections, Mega Drive with 60 common games & couple of good ones chucked in to get more interest, the better/more expensive/rarer item I list seperatly.

Once all is sold I'm going to get some home improvenents done (bigger kitchen) or take the family on holiday :)

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

:Edit: You may want to change your sig too ;)

[jhd7]

Selling the collection? Been there, done that, just last year.

My route was eBay. I started with 770 NES games and whittled my way down to 195. Also auctioned some accessories and PAL and Famicom games along the way. Like you, I had no idea what the games were worth. Some of the final bids were surprisingly high, others rather low.

Going alphabetically, I put 20 games out there each week. The selloff lasted from late May to early January. Once I settled into a routine, things were pretty easy. This was the general pattern:

Before Saturday...
Select the 20 games.
Make scans of all 20.
Using a cookie-cutter text/html form, type in the specifics of each game (name, manufacturer, condition, extras).
On Saturday, cut-n-paste each game description into the eBay form. It took just under 20 minutes to list all 20 games, mostly because a lot of the tedious work was done ahead of time.

Most games started at 99 cents and I charged $3.85 for Priority shipping. One or two games fit into a standard Priority Mail box, which made things easier. If you offer to get exact rates for people, you could spend a lot of time running back and forth to the post office. This becomes especially frustrating if they decide they don't want the item.

The tougher part is keeping track of stuff after the auction. Maybe my method wasn't best, but I had a sheet of notebook paper with these columns: bidder, items won, bid total, shipping charge, amount sent, actual shipping, my net profit, date emails sent. I insisted the buyer include a legible address and a list of what they won. A few times, I received a blank money order and nothing else.

Random thoughts...
I sold the games because the idea of trying to play them all became overwhelming. It was fun to collect, but I realized most would just gather dust until I die.
I kept the ones I intend to play (mostly RPGs).
Every game but Stadium Events was complete with box & manual (and maps, 3D glasses, whatever).
I was lucky and made a huge profit. The games were bought mostly from Funcoland and eBay from 1998-2001.
My only other systems are ColecoVision (143 carts), SNES (80 games), and Turbo Duo (140 games). The CV collection will be thinned-out soon. No plans to thin the others (yet).

jeff

btw - I'm only 3 games from a complete US TG16/Duo collection: Magical Chase, Dynastic Hero, and Might & Magic III. I actually won Magical Chase late last year, but the seller claimed it was stolen shortly after my payment arrived. He refunded all but $12.50 of what I sent. If anyone has those three games, drop me a line. :-)

[Massimiliano]

Yoiu should sell the rare stuff first.
Then you make lots for the others (something like "6 sports games lot", each lot containing a rarer/interesting/sought after game).
This way, you shouldn't loose much money.

[lotus13]

It's always worth more broken up insted of in a lot. This is because people who are willing to pay a decent price for a game may not have enough for the lot, and don't even want the lot to begin with. The lot costs more to ship, that's another non-selling point. Only the hardcore will want it, but most of them won't pay anything near what it's worth when it's broken up.

[n8littlefield]

Well, I'm working on getting a collection together to sell as well, but mine is toys. Similar to alot of people, limited space, limited money, growing family all factored in. So, I'm keeping one toy of each character (Starwars) and getting rid of alot (probably 2/3 of the collection). I know I won't regret it - it's just a time issue to go through everything.

If I were you, and you still play games at all, I'd pick out your favoriate games and don't sell those - because let's be honest the rare games are never the good games! Sell off the rare stuff and the stuff you just bought to fullfill some checklist. Keep a nice small collection of fun games, even if you box it up in a closet, so that you still have the fun stuff for a rainy day. Let's be honest, you started buying them to replay Mario or Zelda, not Bath Bubble Babes or bootlegs. Eventually, that urge will hit again and this way you won't have to rebuy anything.

[aaron7]

Let's be honest, you started buying them to replay Mario or Zelda, not Bath Bubble Babes or bootlegs. Eventually, that urge will hit again and this way you won't have to rebuy anything.


100% right. I'll keep all the Mega Mans, Marios, etc. I'll sell the boxes and manuals tho haha

[goatdan]

I'm going to lend a quick bit of advice that seems to be a little different than everyone elses so far...

Wait to sell them.

Not long, but perhaps like two weeks. Take everything that you want to sell, put it in a pile or just remove it from the rest of the stuff, and use that time to see if you would really 'miss' anything that you were intending on selling. If after two weeks, you have found that you haven't noticed or even thought about the stuff that you pulled out of your collection, then go for it and get rid of them. If however, you sell everything and then later say that you wish you hadn't sold one thing in particular, it may be very hard or costly to get it back -- especially when you're dealing with really rare items like what you haven mentioned.

For me, I keep only the games that I adore in my collections that aren't my complete ones, as well as games that have a sentimental value to me. Therefore, I have about 25 Atari 2600 games and about 20 NES games, with little intention to get more. Those ones I have played, and while I could get a decent amount of money if I sold some of them, I have come to realize that I would always regret never being able to get back those cartridges.

For games that I have really enjoyed playing, but don't play any more, I do the two week thing. After two weeks of not playing them, I feel comfortable in selling them and not worrying that I'm going to regret it later.

Good luck!

[Goblin]

I say sell it. I'm in the process of liquidating a number of things myself. All things that I've been hanging onto for the past few years. Recently I've come to realize that I'll never play them and keeping them just for the sake of having them makes no sense. Prices are somewhat stable, so keeping a stack of systems for another 5 years to see them go up a few dollars in value isn't worth the effort.

The process of going through everything was actually suprisingly tough. I have 2 piles in the basement, the keep pile and sell pile. Eventually I can see going through the keep pile and weening that down even further, but right now I'm content with it as is.