Are the DP guide book prices out of date or just wrong?

[TheTrench]

I´m looking at SNES games and comparing prices to eBay and other places and it seems like the guide prices are either way too high (by more than $10) or way too low by $10 (in the case of Super Mario RPG among others). I bought this book to help me, but other than a list of game and a description, the SNES section just seems wrong more than it´s right.

Also some words are bolded and others aren´t in some of the game titles in the system descriptions.

Did I get a bad print or a bad version of the book.

The other sections seem good but the SNES is odd... maybe SNES is hitting a peak or something. I´m at odds.

[Darth Sensei]

I'm sure the print of the book you got is bad because we all know that ebay prices are absolutely static.

[TheTrench]

I know they aren´t static, which is why I ask if I have an older edition... but thanks for the sarcastic response....it was very helpful.... opps looks like I gave it back.

[Mayhem]

Prices in the book are usually on the low side most of the time. This is a collector's guide, not a seller's guide. Or in other words, if you find the game for less than the price stated, you've got a good deal; the price is what you should expect to pay for it on average.

eBay is usually not a very good place to base prices on, but it is a ballpark idea of what something is worth...

[bangtango]

I´m looking at SNES games and comparing prices to eBay and other places and it seems like the guide prices are either way too high (by more than $10) or way too low by $10 (in the case of Super Mario RPG among others). I bought this book to help me, but other than a list of game and a description, the SNES section just seems wrong more than it´s right.

Also some words are bolded and others aren´t in some of the game titles in the system descriptions.

Did I get a bad print or a bad version of the book.

The other sections seem good but the SNES is odd... maybe SNES is hitting a peak or something. I´m at odds.

It depends on the game. Some of the Zelda and Mario games tend to go for a lot more money on Ebay than they are listed for in the book, particularly the more recent games in those series.

[Dr. Morbis]

The fact is that the classic guide is now pushing 5 years old (2002) and the blue guide is already 3 (2004). They're great resources, but they are definitely in need of a hardcopy update. I'm actually surprised some other group hasn't swooped in to fill this lack-of-updating void already.

That said, the online guide is terrific for looking up pretty much anything video game-wise. It's just that some of us are a little old-fashioned and like to have a (relatively) up-to-date paper book to flip our dirty paws through.

[Griking]

Look at it as if the DP Guide prices are wholesale prices while eBay and store prices are retail

[Keir]

I´m looking at SNES games and comparing prices to eBay and other places and it seems like the guide prices are either way too high (by more than $10) or way too low by $10 (in the case of Super Mario RPG among others).

I found Super Mario RPG at a thrift store for $3, and gave it to a friend for free. Therefore, based on my experience, the average price is $1.50. :P

Seriously though, it's a fairly common game and eBay is the only place your going to find prices upwards of $30 for it. I know it's just one example, but it's the only one you gave so I'm going to pick on it.

[Oobgarm]

I always look at the price guides as a good baseline as to the game's worth in collector circles, such as these here forums.

In no way, shape, or form, would I ever consider DP Guides to be an indicator of a title's retail(or ebay) worth, as it's always going higher in retail since the seller is trying to maximize profit.