Expensive "Garbage" Stores!

[Slate]

Have you ever been into a "store" Where the guy that has everything has everything piled upon piles of junk that nobody wants? Have you been into a "store" That has bare bones super nintendos in awful condition for "only" $50 each?

If you have ever been into a place like that, Post it here.

I have seen 3 cases like this. Two were so packed you couldn't walk through them, And two were so expensive that only a fire could love them (So they could get burned, get it?) One of them had the worst condition. SNES I had ever seen for $15. Just the console.

[c0ldb33r]

There's a pawn shop near me that's selling original brick gameboys, loose, no box or manuals, most of them are missing the battery cover, and they're scratched all to hell. Only $25.00

Want a game for it? Most games in the store, even dirt common ones are $15-$20. Sonic 2 for genesis - 15.00

I've been told that while the guy's prices are high, you can talk him down to a reasonable price. I've tried a couple of times, he's barely willing to give a buck off! I hate that place. This thread makes me angry :angry:

[theshizzle3000]

There is a flea market back in my hometown with a dude who trys to convince me every week I go that an ataris runs for 200 dollars. I tell him that I want to sell him an atari and all the sudden its only worth a couple of bucks. Now granted I can randomly pick up some good finds from this dude he tends to almost always overprice his games. I am a fan of the people who sell 2 for $5 games no matter how rare they are. Those people are my heroes.

[mrmark0673]

I had lost my Zapper and was dying for a replacement and couldn't find one at any of the thrift stores or games stores locally. I found one at a private thrift store and decided to buy it...

for 12 bucks

I was desperate. Within a week I bought 2 more for 99 cents a piece at a thrift store down the street from my house, now I probably have 5-6. That place sucks. They constantly have "bundles" for a system that will have an SNES console with 2 nintendo controllers, but they refuse to split the package. I don't even waste my time telling them that the controllers don't go with the system.

[gamesniper]

There are a couple of pawn shops around me that are piled up with unsellable PC games and are convinced that Jeopardy! on Sega CD is a $20 game, as are any sports games on the 32X. They priced those things in 1996, I think, and have never felt the need to change them. Most of the pawn shops and game stores around me are reasonable, though.

[cyberfluxor]

I don't have too many issues with the typical places I go, even the indy game shops have nice prices most of the time, just don't expect $1 deals all over the place. I do however run into dumps whenever I go into the wrong areas of the city where crime is more rampid, go figure. Like there's a pawn shop in P-town that's got game systems for over $100, like a Genesis and Nintendo. Then the games are astronomical and in beaten up shapes. If I go to a store and it looks run-down like that (and they had junk everywhere) and their prices totally stink worst than the garbage they have then I never return again.

[mills]

lately Cash Converters has raised their prices. Now a NES, or SNES barebones setup is 50 dollars. PS1 games that were 3.99 before are now 14.99-19.99. and so on.

[fishsandwich]

I used to go to a pawnshop in North Carolina where some old dude rented out a lockable storage space in a corner. He didn't show up half the time. Some of his stuff was laid out ok... but most of it was piled on and under tables, in boxes, or just laying on the floor. He was convinced everything was super-valuable. He wanted to sell me a loose Sonic & Knuckles for $15. He did sell me a complete Lunar 2 for $10, though. This was the same flea market where this video store/leather store (?) had all this COOL vintage stuff crammed in a glass case for all to see but if you ever asked about it they would say "Oh, that's not for sale. That belongs to some guy who used to work here." Morons.

[cyberfluxor]

lately Cash Converters has raised their prices. Now a NES, or SNES barebones setup is 50 dollars. PS1 games that were 3.99 before are now 14.99-19.99. and so on.
Ya, I've realised that too. There's a Cash Converters that sky rocketed a ton of games for the N64 and PS1 for some odd reason, I guess due to the jump in Final Fantasy so every PS game goes up? It's alright because there's still 4 other Cash Converters I go to that haven't jumped, at least that significantly.

[Push Upstairs]

The last time i wandered into a pawn shop (a few years ago) i believe my eyes gazed upon N64 systems for $75 a piece

I did pretty good as far as setting a price for some misc stuff (complete gameboy cleaning kit, Sega CD manual and something else for like $10) but all the games and systems were beyond rational asking price.

[c0ldb33r]

There's a place I used to love to go, they had all kinds of vintage games and systems for great prices.

Lately though, they've gotten considerably more expensive. Not unreasonably so, but I'm still a little bummed about it.

[Kitsune Sniper]

There's this dude at one of the flea markets who wants $10 for Super Mario/Duck Hunt. LOL The game's not even worth a DIME. LOL

The good thing is most sellers now know me so they give me better deals. ;)

[gepeto]

Its is sad that some stores grossly overprice things with a take it or leave it attitude. I knew a pawn shop that just last year had disc only psx games no case or manual for in a box 24.99 plus apeice. Most has no case or manual. The disc that looked like someone scraped bricks with them.

It is funny I go to some of these stores and 2 years later same crap is sitting there unsold. It a wonder they stay afloat.

[sniperCCJVQ]

2 for $10, though. This was the same flea market where this video store/leather store (?) had all this COOL vintage stuff crammed in a glass case for all to see but if you ever asked about it they would say "Oh, that's not for sale. That belongs to some guy who used to work here." Morons.

How many times you guys have been in that situation ?

The "not for sale, display only" or "belongs to some guy"

If it's not for sale, why do you put the stuff there ?

[Graham Mitchell]

2 for $10, though. This was the same flea market where this video store/leather store (?) had all this COOL vintage stuff crammed in a glass case for all to see but if you ever asked about it they would say "Oh, that's not for sale. That belongs to some guy who used to work here." Morons.

How many times you guys have been in that situation ?

The "not for sale, display only" or "belongs to some guy"

If it's not for sale, why do you put the stuff there ?

That really pisses me off. There's a place out here in Gurnee, Illinois that has a top-loading NES that's "not for sale". They use it for demonstration purposes. The stupid thing is always running the SMB attract mode when I'm in there.

When I was in Seattle last year, we found a place on University Ave (used to be Nanoo's, now it's something else) that had a boxed Famicom in a glass case. I went to ask the rivethead goth behind the counter how much it was going for. "It's not for sale", he said as he looked over my shoulder. What's the point?

[sisko]

I just recently walked into a pawn shop who was selling PS2/GCN/Xbox games for $15 a piece. Most of which consisted of Madden 02 and the like.

Of course, this was the same store that I walked out of with a complete excellent conditions of Return Fire and XCom UFO Defense for $42 total >.>

[Nez]

Games + Arizona collectors know this place well, it was a place of super high prices and garbage litterd every corner. Not video game garbage like broken controllers or stuff like that Im talking literal garbage, a day old pizza would allways be sitting on one of the display cases. It was horrible I didn't think it could get anyworse.

The owner sold the place, to someone else. I figured it was a turn for the better, WRONG! Anything in the store they charge ebay prices. And not the average ebay price, I'm talking the high assed prices from the ebay stores. Plus there is still garbage all over. Ugh its disgusting.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

I remember a few years ago checking out the local Goodwill "Superstore" and seeing a boxed Genesis model 2 core system. They wanted $60 for it. They really bad thing was I had just left a mall where the KayBee toys still had a couple new core systems behind the counter for for $20 or $25 each.

[mgriff]

KING OF OVERPRICED SYSTEMS AND GAMES...

St. Marks Games on St. Marks Place in NYC

'Nuff Said

[StevenH]

There is a place out in in the Sol Cal Valley that If you have been there you will know what they are like. One time I went in to buy a PSX game and asked to look at the disc. The guy said you can look at it after you buy it. I told him to go and take a flying leap and never went back again.

A friend of mine once saw a fist fight break out in the store because the guy behind the counter would not give this guy his money back after buying a dead system. I guess the guy had just bought the system, took it home and it didn't work. It even had there sticker and info on the console. They told him that they had tested it and he broke it. He had it for about 4 hours before bringing it back. The guy behind the counter threw the first punch but when the cops came all the customers in the store told the cops that it was the guy behind the counter was the one who started it but they hauled off the customer instead. This store is a true horror house.

[StevenH]

Sorry forgot to say the name of the store GAME DUDES!

BEWARE!!!

[Slate]

A friend of mine once saw a fist fight break out in "Game Dude's" Because the guy behind the counter would not give this guy his money back after buying a dead system. I guess the guy had just bought the system, took it home and it didn't work. It even had their sticker and info on the console. They told him that they had tested it and he broke it. He had it for about 4 hours before bringing it back. The guy behind the counter threw the first punch but when the cops came all the customers in the store told the cops that it was the guy behind the counter was the one who started it but they hauled off the customer instead. This store is a true horror house.

O_O

[noname11]

there's this one guy who is a professional swap meet vender... sells ps2 games [crappy ones] for 10$ and always has rare NES games at Ebay prices.... the thing is , it doesnt bother me so much that HIS games are over priced...

but he goes to the other stands and buys up all the good games cheap! dammit ! I hate that guy ! He does a couple of rounds throughout the day to make sure he didnt miss out on anything. one of these days im going to tell him to get a real job [he's like 40 w/ kids] and leave at least some of the games to us collectors !

[wrldstrman]

The most over priced stores peorid are some of the ebay stores I wish they would put stores in a seperate catageory so you wouldnt have to even look at them...Dont get me wrong there are a few decent ones...but I would really like to meet any idiot who would pay 159.99 for a perfect dark n64 or 179.99 for a nes bee 52...yes people can ask whatever they want but in my opinion it wastes time and space ....I think they would have better luck putting a rock for sale in the store for 49..99

[wrldstrman]

Ebay stores hands down

[klausien]

There is a guy like that who used to be in a local flea market, but moved to his own little purple shack on one of the local roads. His prices are usually insane, but he doesn't seem to understand market prices, so deals can be found. Along the same lines, he is also NOT a pretentious jerk, but rather a personable, abeit very foreign, guy. He also fires a high price at you expecting you to negotiate, which is totally fine by me. Even with all of this, he generally still runs very high, but I have bought items there before. $60 for a brand new, sealed copy of Twinkle Star Sprites for Saturn was worth every penny. Also paid $15 for a PSX Raiden Project in good condition and didn't regret it.

[MarioMania]

A friend of mine once saw a fist fight break out in the store because the guy behind the counter would not give this guy his money back after buying a dead system. I guess the guy had just bought the system, took it home and it didn't work. It even had there sticker and info on the console. They told him that they had tested it and he broke it. He had it for about 4 hours before bringing it back. The guy behind the counter threw the first punch but when the cops came all the customers in the store told the cops that it was the guy behind the counter was the one who started it but they hauled off the customer instead. This store is a true horror house.

What the hell..The clerk behide the Counter must of lied

[Femtosecond]

Man, I find this is nearly always the case now. Suddenly for some reason, maybe the internet, store owners think what they have is significantly more valuable than what it actually is. Furthermore, they NEVER seem to take condition into account.

In a slightly different, but related area of discussion: There are multiple stores in my area that are run by these game collecting hermits that have a huge great selection, but INSANELY high prices. SNES games that aren't even rare or good are $25. Their stock never moves at all. I don't know if anyone else is finding this common now too?

Seems like there are a lot less bargains out there.

[SegaAges]

The funny thing is, for me here in Omaha, it is Goodwill for consoles. Games are usually around 0.99-2.99 depending on the game, but if it is a console and they recognize the company, it is rare to find a barebones SNES in bad shape for under $30-$40, and the NES runs about the same. I got a CD-I from there for 14.99 and it came with the box, which was wierd, I guess they thought it was a wierd cd player or something, because it was over with, if you could have guessed it, the cd players.

There is this local Gamestore called Gamers where they charge way too much for what they think is "rare". $150 for Tengen Tetris, yes, I have seen it, but $30 for a mint and complete Paper Mario for N64, which is pretty normal for eBay prices.

[Guru of Time and Space]

There is this local Gamestore called Gamers where they charge way too much for what they think is "rare". $150 for Tengen Tetris, yes, I have seen it, but $30 for a mint and complete Paper Mario for N64, which is pretty normal for eBay prices.

We have two Gamers in Des Moines, and every once in awhile they get a Tengen Tetris in, but it has always been priced at $80~90.

I like Gamers. They don't seem to know how to price Master System games, and they are usually all $2~5. And they seem to have been dropping Genesis game prices recently too.

-GoTaS

[PentiumMMX]

There is one outside the city where I live called Country Reasle & Thrift. They are cluttered and over priced (A yellowed SNES with a huge chunk fo the platic missing for $20), and filled with crap (Broken controllers, etc.)

[RockyRaccoon]

I used to run into places like this in Mass all the time.

Junk shops were everything was priced 12 years ago and still retain that same damn price. I hate places like this.. CHANGE YOUR DAMN PRICES IF IT'S BEEN THERE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, YOU'LL SEE IT MOVE! I PROMISE!

On the other hand, the Thrift stores I've been down to here in AL take Condition and Working condition into order. a SNES Marked not working is 5 bucks, while one thats yellowed but marked working is 15, while one that looks a lot better and marked working is 20. THe price can also vary if it includes everything or not, like 25 for a good condition SNES with controller and AC and A/V, with a yellowed one being about 20 complete. so about a 5 buck difference or so between then each.

[RockyRaccoon]

I used to run into places like this in Mass all the time.

Junk shops were everything was priced 12 years ago and still retain that same damn price. I hate places like this.. CHANGE YOUR DAMN PRICES IF IT'S BEEN THERE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, YOU'LL SEE IT MOVE! I PROMISE!

On the other hand, the Thrift stores I've been down to here in AL take Condition and Working condition into order. a SNES Marked not working is 5 bucks, while one thats yellowed but marked working is 15, while one that looks a lot better and marked working is 20. THe price can also vary if it includes everything or not, like 25 for a good condition SNES with controller and AC and A/V, with a yellowed one being about 20 complete. so about a 5 buck difference or so between then each.

[RockyRaccoon]

ugh, doublepost, and no modify button.

[mailman187666]

Here in MA there are a couple places that have thier prices jacked up beyond reason, places that not many people go to that have awesome deals on rare stuff, and other places where a cart only mario RPG cost $60 but at the same place I found a Swordquest: Waterworld for $15. I just go to this store in Framingham that is all set up nice and have complete Jaguar games for under $15 (AVP) and I also found a Chase the Chuckwagon for $5. So I pretty much don't deal with the shady asshole stores anymore and just go with the one that tells me that "they are trying to do something different than everybody else." I've been blessed with having one of the best gaming stores near my house."

[dgordon86]

Here in MA there are a couple places that have thier prices jacked up beyond reason, places that not many people go to that have awesome deals on rare stuff, and other places where a cart only mario RPG cost $60 but at the same place I found a Swordquest: Waterworld for $15. I just go to this store in Framingham that is all set up nice and have complete Jaguar games for under $15 (AVP) and I also found a Chase the Chuckwagon for $5. So I pretty much don't deal with the shady asshole stores anymore and just go with the one that tells me that "they are trying to do something different than everybody else." I've been blessed with having one of the best gaming stores near my house."

Next time I head home to the cape i'll have to check this place out!

[dgordon86]

Ok, some sellers just piss me off!

I went into this pawn shop here in san francisco last weekend and noticed alot of high priced crap, your typical 5 dollars a piece for sports games, 5 for smb/duck hunt, and 14 for a ps1 memory card. I noticed they had a boxed kung fu (in shitty condition) for 5 and I thought about it all week, oh and let me add that everyone in there had a macho smug attitiude towards all the customers. So I went in today and asked if he would sell me just the box and right away I became the shit stuck to his shoe. He told me to buy the game or get out! what the hell?

They had a scratched up tomba cd for 5, and I was considering buying just because, but fuck that. I 'll take my business elsewhere.

I might go buy it then tell them I fucked them over, even if its for a few bucks


:evil:

[InsaneDavid]

I noticed they had a boxed kung fu (in shitty condition) for 5 and I thought about it all week, oh and let me add that everyone in there had a macho smug attitiude towards all the customers. So I went in today and asked if he would sell me just the box and right away I became the shit stuck to his shoe. He told me to buy the game or get out! what the hell?

It was five freaking dollars. :roll: $5 is still the defacto price for loose NES cartridges most places.

[dgordon86]

I noticed they had a boxed kung fu (in shitty condition) for 5 and I thought about it all week, oh and let me add that everyone in there had a macho smug attitiude towards all the customers. So I went in today and asked if he would sell me just the box and right away I became the shit stuck to his shoe. He told me to buy the game or get out! what the hell?

It was five freaking dollars. :roll: $5 is still the defacto price for loose NES cartridges most places.

It really does sound like an excellent score, but it was in a horrid worn condition and it just didn't weigh in compared to other deals I have on a regular basis. It's one of those items I'll find soon enough.

Would you have bought the scratched tomba though (or anything)? Even if they were jerks?

[ReaXan]

Ive had alot of bad experience's with small hometown gameshops,they always are overpriced and tend to rip you off bad because they know their like the only place that will take your old games besides a pawn show and even they like to rip you a new one

I dont mind them wanting to make a profit,thats what is buisness is about,but when they give you 25 cents for a cart and they have in on their shelves a week later for 9.95 it kinda makes you angry

Honestly the best thing to do ive realized is to sell the stuff online or just keep it and take care of it,because most likely you will wanna play that old system again sometime down the line,whether it be a month or 5 years later

[smokehouse]

Like mentioned above, condition does not seem to come into consideration with pawnshop owners. Clean FFIII, $40, ripped up, filthy FFIII, $40.

I’ve also noticed the whole “Oh, that’s internet pricing” shit more and more. We have a local store that used to be good but now, thanks to eBay, they have marked all of their shit through the roof. Basically, they go on eBay, do a search and click “highest price”. They then mark the game as such. I’ve tried to get them to come down on the prices only to have them flip their computer monitor around and point to an auction on eBay.

The last problem (like mentioned above) is how they will never change prices even when it has sat for years. Recently, I went to a pawnshop and saw a Saturn sitting behind the counter. I asked how much:

“$100” .

“$100?...is it complete with box and games?”

“No, it’s loose with one controller…”

“Why $100?”

“Well..” (looks at the tag) “Sayz here I got it in 1997…I have $75 in it, I’ll give it to you for that much.”

“$75?! No, I’ll give you $35, and that’s if it’s working…”

“$35?! I’m not taking a loss on this thing! $70 or nothin’.”

“Ok, have fun, that thing is going to sit there until it rots.” I walked out of the store at this point.

[camarotuner]

There is a shop (3 of them actually) run by the same family in Pottstown, PA. The guys been dealing in used video games/systems FOR TWENTY YEARS! So as you can imagine, this guys got ALOT of games. I swear theres around 10,000 games between the 3 stores and his "storage". Oh and every system, accessory, you get the general idea. Problem is IT'S ALL HORRIBLY OVERPRICED! Granted, every so often you can find a deal or bargain, but more or less, bend over and grab the ankles. The thing that bothers me most though, and I hate this at any store, no price tags on anything. So ANY item you might want to buy you have to go "so how much for this". That bugs the hell out of me.

[camarotuner]

There is a shop (3 of them actually) run by the same family in Pottstown, PA. The guys been dealing in used video games/systems FOR TWENTY YEARS! So as you can imagine, this guys got ALOT of games. I swear theres around 10,000 games between the 3 stores and his "storage". Oh and every system, accessory, you get the general idea. Problem is IT'S ALL HORRIBLY OVERPRICED! Granted, every so often you can find a deal or bargain, but more or less, bend over and grab the ankles. The thing that bothers me most though, and I hate this at any store, no price tags on anything. So ANY item you might want to buy you have to go "so how much for this". That bugs the hell out of me.

[mrmark0673]

Here in MA there are a couple places that have thier prices jacked up beyond reason, places that not many people go to that have awesome deals on rare stuff, and other places where a cart only mario RPG cost $60 but at the same place I found a Swordquest: Waterworld for $15. I just go to this store in Framingham that is all set up nice and have complete Jaguar games for under $15 (AVP) and I also found a Chase the Chuckwagon for $5. So I pretty much don't deal with the shady asshole stores anymore and just go with the one that tells me that "they are trying to do something different than everybody else." I've been blessed with having one of the best gaming stores near my house."

Game Universe right? That place is pretty cool, I used to live right down the street. They have a solid selection, but most of there prices are near what you would pay on the internet.

[bangtango]

Ok, some sellers just piss me off!

I went into this pawn shop here in san francisco last weekend and noticed alot of high priced crap, your typical 5 dollars a piece for sports games, 5 for smb/duck hunt, and 14 for a ps1 memory card. I noticed they had a boxed kung fu (in shitty condition) for 5 and I thought about it all week, oh and let me add that everyone in there had a macho smug attitiude towards all the customers. So I went in today and asked if he would sell me just the box and right away I became the shit stuck to his shoe. He told me to buy the game or get out! what the hell?

They had a scratched up tomba cd for 5, and I was considering buying just because, but fuck that. I 'll take my business elsewhere.

I might go buy it then tell them I fucked them over, even if its for a few bucks


:evil:

Collector or not, it takes a little bit of nerve to walk into a store and try to get them to sell you just a box or manual while they keep the game. It'd be one thing if it was a game store or someone from these forums who had a copy but who would expect a pawn shop owner to do that for someone? He may eventually run the place into the ground but it is still his store.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

To talk about overpriced, I was at the Gamestop at the local mall tonight looking at the used DVDs. They had a bunch of DVDs in there that they must have bought at the dollar store down the hall. I recognised some of the titles since I had bought some. I was curious to see what they wanted for "used" dollar store DVDs. What a shock! Only $5.99. What a bargain! Run out and get 2 at that price. :angry:

[fergojisan]

There is a shop (3 of them actually) run by the same family in Pottstown, PA. The guys been dealing in used video games/systems FOR TWENTY YEARS! So as you can imagine, this guys got ALOT of games. I swear theres around 10,000 games between the 3 stores and his "storage". Oh and every system, accessory, you get the general idea. Problem is IT'S ALL HORRIBLY OVERPRICED! Granted, every so often you can find a deal or bargain, but more or less, bend over and grab the ankles. The thing that bothers me most though, and I hate this at any store, no price tags on anything. So ANY item you might want to buy you have to go "so how much for this". That bugs the hell out of me.

Is this Game Tapes Unlimited? The guy at the Zern's Market in Gilbertsville, with his dad? I got some great stuff from his dad when I first started collecting over 10 years ago, but now I don't bother. I think the son was at VGExpo last year.