Tips for the poor

[§ Gideon §]

Looking at "Rooms of Doom" and other outrageous video game collections, I can't help but feel incomparably small. Does anyone else feel this way, or am I the only small fry?

Anyways, the quality that I think sets one "Room of Doom" apart from the rest is not the sheer abundance of games: I don't need more games than I'll ever be able to play, most of which aren't even worth playing. Rather, what I really admire about the good "Rooms of Doom" is tasteful use of video game decor! I sit back in amazement, wondering what it would be like to play my favorite games in a room filled with unique treasures such as display posters, neon Nintendo logos, and other one-of-a-kinds--all while sitting in a Pac Man banana chair! It's pure heaven!

Anyways, seeing as most of those unique items aren't available at retail stores, how do you come across them?

If your answer to that quesiton is something along the lines of: Well, every year I attend such-and-such annual video game convention, and I'll occasionally pick up a few rarities... STOP right now. I can't do that! I was hoping if anyone would be able to provide a few "tips for the poor". For example, does anyone have a systematic way of obtaining those awesome display items that you KNOW the store is going to throw away at the end of the month? I've tried asking, but most employees' logic is clouded by fear of breaking rules. If I show up on the last day of the month, will things be different? Are some particular stores better than others at giving away free stuff? Any tips at all? If need be, I'm willing to scrounge through the back dumpster!

Hopefully, this will spark some good discussion; there are so many freebies right under our noses!

[VACRMH]

For store displays, be nice to the manager I guess. Buy a GMR card or something (Good deal anyways, 10% off used games... more games that way ) And if they 100% cannot give them to you, maybe you can ask them to not throw them in the trash, but leave them next to the dumpster?

[Querjek]

I recently got a bunch of Nintendo signs from a Kmart that was selling all of its fixtures (It's gone now ). I went into the place where the electronics were, and found them scattered everywhere. The people that were selling everything just let me take them.

[briskbc]

This has nothing to do with displays but if you want to increase the size of yuor collection you could try selling things on ebay. I sell videos, video games and some DVDs that are out of print. You can pick up a video at thrift stores for a buck and at pawns for $5. There are some that can collect a decent price. If I didn't need to use the money for other bills I would have a room of doom that would rival some of the pictures on this site. As it stands I have a bookshelf of doom.

[§ Gideon §]

I recently got a bunch of Nintendo signs from a Kmart that was selling all of its fixtures (It's gone now ). I went into the place where the electronics were, and found them scattered everywhere. The people that were selling everything just let me take them.

Sweet! You're making me jealous.

But, the local K-Mart doesn't go out-of-business every day, y'know! Surely, there's someone who has this process down to a 'T'--perhaps an employee at a retail store? I venture out as often as I can, but I've yet to have a breakthrough...

[Querjek]

Oh, and I forgot: Don't feel bad about having a small collection-mine is only 3 bookshelfs (Not including console space). Check the VIntage games part of eBay often-I once got a CD-i with 35 games for $35 BIN. It's all about timing (And having $). Check any and all thrift stores. Although not all have something, you'lll find something in due time.

[Lady Jaye]

Yeah, I don't have much to show either (aside from the box for my tabletop Coleco DK Jr.), but you can try to decorate with some posters, either from recent magazines (Play recently had a different Baldur's Gate art card for a few months) or older ones (go to thrift shops/used bookstores and look at old videogame mags. Some of them may be complete with a poster.).

The only other collectibles I have is the Jet Set Radio Future music sampler, a set of JSRF mini buttons (pretty cool!) and sew-on patch, and a set of GTA: Vice City magnets.

[kainemaxwell]

My collection is kinda big, but scattered about where I keep most my games (NES games I play in the game case w/ deck, DC, PSX games in a cd case near my tv, N64 and SNES games I play in a cart case or boxes). My main collections are on a bookshelf though.

[Balloon Fight]

What you try to do is go to a game store, or somewhere else that sells games and has signs to promote them, and become friends with some of the guys. Just buy something every once in a while, and make friendly chat with them, then after a few times ask if they have any crap they dont want. Most likely the guy will think, "Hey this guy is my friend, and friends help each other out."
Just try to sucker some saps, and 9 time out of 10 youll walk away a winner.

[Jorpho]

Did you see the recent thread about dumpster diving?

[kai123]

Well at my local Ebgames the employees always get first call on stuff like that.You can look behind some signs and see their names on it.

[§ Gideon §]

What you try to do is go to a game store, or somewhere else that sells games and has signs to promote them, and become friends with some of the guys. Just buy something every once in a while, and make friendly chat with them, then after a few times ask if they have any crap they dont want. Most likely the guy will think, "Hey this guy is my friend, and friends help each other out."
Just try to sucker some saps, and 9 time out of 10 youll walk away a winner.

It sounds simple enough. I'll try my best, but it does seem a little slow.

Did you see the recent thread about dumpster diving?

Not yet. I'll check it right now; it sounds interesting.

[Videogamerdaryll]

Too bad I can't update my pics in the Room Of Doom..
Man have I added a lot of stuff since then,,sheeesh..
Those empty wall spaces seen in my old Room Of Doom pics are no longer empty..lol..

[sisko]

A lot of it is getting lucky at flea markets and yard sales.

Hit them up when you can, and bring cash.

Learn the art of negotiating, and don't be afraid to either!

I've brought a box of intellivision games from their original price of $72 to $15!
This weekend I just brought a box of peripheral goodies from $10 to $3!

Some people will haggle, others won't....it just depends on how good and stubborn you can be.

Since I've started this, I have amassed a good 20% of my collection in the matter of two months.

Oh...and stay the hell away from my stake-outs!

[§ Gideon §]

A lot of it is getting lucky at flea markets and yard sales.

Hit them up when you can, and bring cash.

Learn the art of negotiating, and don't be afraid to either!

I've brought a box of intellivision games from their original price of $72 to $15!
This weekend I just brought a box of peripheral goodies from $10 to $3!

Some people will haggle, others won't....it just depends on how good and stubborn you can be.

Since I've started this, I have amassed a good 20% of my collection in the matter of two months.

Oh...and stay the hell away from my stake-outs!

What??? Flea market vendors never have display stuff! Well, at least in my experience they don't.

[Ed Oscuro]

My tip would be don't leave junk out in the open. Recently, matters concerning cheap Genesis and SNES titles came to a head when I bought a lot of (badly needed and greatly appreciated) various stuff from members off this board. I say this:

Buy lots instead of single games, especially when you have to pay for shipping! You may get some junk in there, but you can always sell the worst off.

Hang around these boards! Some people here have promotional stuff to get rid of at times, and I myself just amassed a small collection of Capcom freebies for the cost of shipping & handling. Though I'm quite sure the amount of items that have shown up within the past two weeks is a fluke, I would never have gotten the items I did without being here.

Look into Japanese items! You'd be amazed how easy it is to find many of the legendary Nintendo titles, but beyond that you can easily pick up strategy guides and other items, that (for the most part, with the possible exception of certain Nintendo titles, actually LOOK GOOD as opposed to many of ours). Just use a service like celga.com; and remember: animation cels are usually good for the collection too :D

Beyond that, though, getting a great collection may require being a nice guy and paying just a bit more than what somebody's asking for, or finding the place with the highest price (for all their slowness I still say gamechoice.com.hk is honest and sells items of the best quality).

[Videogamerdaryll]

A lot of it is getting lucky at flea markets and yard sales.

Hit them up when you can, and bring cash.

Learn the art of negotiating, and don't be afraid to either!

I've brought a box of intellivision games from their original price of $72 to $15!
This weekend I just brought a box of peripheral goodies from $10 to $3!

Some people will haggle, others won't....it just depends on how good and stubborn you can be.

Since I've started this, I have amassed a good 20% of my collection in the matter of two months.

Oh...and stay the hell away from my stake-outs!

What??? Flea market vendors never have display stuff! Well, at least in my experience they don't.

I do find display stuff at my local flea market..."but" the vendors want way to much money for this stuff,..They are ridiculous,they can stick it..

A few months ago I met some people at the flea market..A very nice couple.
They had some boxed GBA games for a dollar..I grabbed them..As I walked away the lady noticed the Xbox shirt I was wearing and asked..I'd like to show you this stuff I have in a box.
She says it says Xbox on the box but I don't know what's inside.
I open up this big box and it's filled with Xbox store displays..Nothing is touched..(I play stupid)
There are tubes with Xbox window signs,boxes of these suction cup Xbox signs,A big roll of long magnetic signs..These magnets are huge..
I stuck one on the door of my wifes car and it was as long as her door.
(Someone who works in an Video Game store will know what I'm talking about)
I play stupid again and offer her$10.00 for the box,,She says thats too much and haggles"me" down to give her $8.00 x_x

After I buy the box she says her son works at a video game store and brings boxes of stuff home all the time..

She makes an agreement with me,to bring me something every week..
I never see her again..She never came back to sell at the Flea market.

Hopefully I'll run into her again someday..and she'll have some more stuff.

[punkoffgirl]

Too bad I can't update my pics in the Room Of Doom..
Man have I added a lot of stuff since then,,sheeesh..
Those empty wall spaces seen in my old Room Of Doom pics are no longer empty..lol..

Sure you can! Just email Joe

[Ed Oscuro]

She makes an agreement with me,to bring me something every week..
I never see her again..She never came back to sell at the Flea market.

Hopefully I'll run into her again someday..and she'll have some more stuff.

Or maybe her son tore into her for selling off his stuff for nothing o-O

Great find though.

[Videogamerdaryll]

Too bad I can't update my pics in the Room Of Doom..
Man have I added a lot of stuff since then,,sheeesh..
Those empty wall spaces seen in my old Room Of Doom pics are no longer empty..lol..

Sure you can! Just email Joe

Thank You so much,punkoffgirl.....