Originally Posted by
unwinddesign
The problem with older, more obscure games (and even just old games) is that there aren't enough potential bidders (usually) at one time to generate the amount of interest to value the item semi-reasonably.
This means that, if the seller puts up games like Worms Armageddon, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver etc. for Dreamcast, they could get $1 - $2, or -- horrors of horrors -- $.01 (in Jojo's case it might be about $8 - $15. Still a slap in the face when it's worth $25 - $30).
The downside potential is much greater on lower market stuff. Even games like Super Mario 64 aren't guaranteed to hit their usual market value of $12 - $14 in an auction; it could go for like $6.50. I've seen copies of Shenmue -- a game I can sell for $12 - $17 -- go for .99.
That's why most of the auctions you see aren't businesses, but people clearing out their old stuff. As a reseller (now former), I would always add up whatever the minimum worth of the game was in a lot I was targeting to buy. I would then set my auction prices/ buy it nows accordingly, at base levels so that I would, if everyone only bid at my lowest price (and didn't use any buy-it nows), I'd make like $5 or $10. For example, if someone showed up with a package of a Dreamcast and these games for .99 cent bid and $10 shipping:
System - $20
2 VMUs- $6
2 Light Guns - $40
Berzerk - $13
Shenmue - $10
Grandia 2 - $12
NBA 2K - $0
NFL BLitz 2001 - $0
Marvel vs. Capcom - $20
Alone in the Dark - $5
Ecco the Dolphin - $5
=$131. So I'd probably put a top bid of $130 + $10 shipping; my estimates are rough, but depending on the market/combos with other lots, I could make 10% or so off it. Now say I list those games up for auctions instead of buy it nows. Buy it nows aren't guaranteed, but I get free relistings, and peace of mind. 14 days, essentially to sell my stuff. So I know what I'm gonna get going in, and I know that I'm not losing money. But, hypothetically, I'm feeling lucky, and I list them as auctions. They close at:
Dreamcast - $13
2 VMUs - .99 each
2 Light guns - $32.51
Berzerk - $6.78
Shenmue - $4.54
NBA 2K - 0.53
NFL Blitz - $1.04
Marvel vs. Capcom - $25.01
Alone in the Dark - $5.52
Ecco the Dolphin - $2.30
= about $93. If I bought that for $140, that's a big loss and I ain't sticking around much longer!
I know people on here tend to think game resellers are evil and jack up the prices, but they're dead wrong on that (not directed at you OP, just a general statement). If they didn't split up those lots they found at thriftstores/eBay etc. There would be less individual copies of games out there on eBay for old-school players. It would just be people dusting stuff out of their attic who had time and wanted to spend the effort to actually list each of their games 1 by 1. And, I can guarantee you, prices would go up on some games because of it. There's always a copy of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Bangai-O etc. on eBay, and it's because of the resellers. That's a good thing. Also, by listing crappy, rare games at cheap prices (Midway's Arcade Hits Vol. 2) it keeps collectors/interested parties from having to spend $80 - $90 on a lot of games just to snag the one they want.
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So yes, in summation, it's too risky to list old games (I think any video game item, personally, but more do it in the old-school sector) in auction format. Too much price oscillation.