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Do you ever find yourself reminiscing about the good old days of playing Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, or Spyro, the fire-breathing dragon in your bedroom? Or perhaps, you spent endless hours engrossed in timeless classics like Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros, or Sonic the Hedgehog for hours without realizing you had homework to do?
If you’re holding onto these retro games, then get excited because we’re going to show you how you can sell video games for cash. It’s time to turn these nostalgic gems into physical cash.
Nowadays, avid gamers have a plethora of options to earn money by playing video games, from streaming on Twitch to starting a gaming blog or YouTube channel. But just because you can make money in new ways, it doesn’t mean you should let your old games gather dust. Selling them can still bring you a nice profit! Did you know that video games are actually one of the bestselling items on Facebook Marketplace?
Let’s be real; you probably have a bunch of old games stacked inside boxes that you haven’t touched in ages. As time marches on, consoles improve, and new games emerge, leaving the old games collecting dust on shelves.
Rather than letting them clutter up your space, why not turn them into cash or credit? When I found my old video games just lying in a forgotten box, I immediately asked myself, “Where can I sell my video games for cash?” Thanks to modern websites and apps, it’s easier than ever to connect with gamers and collectors worldwide or even your neighbors.
Here’s the best part: if your old video games are in good condition, you could get up to ten times their original value! That’s right, these nostalgic treasures are worth a pretty penny! They’re one of the best things to sell to make money.
I am eager to share the best places for you to sell your old video games, so let’s start getting your hands on those gold coins!
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Best Places To Sell Video Games Near You
Before asking yourself how you can sell internationally, why not ask, “How can I sell video games near me?” No one wants to put in all that effort since this will help preserve your profits and not have to worry about the high fees of delivering an item to someone across the globe.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised to realize that many hardcore collectors and enthusiasts are ready to shell out top dollar for a rare or highly sought-after game. After all, what is useless to one person might be valuable to another.
1. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook is the place to find all sorts of individuals with different interests, and many people on the social app are into games. Whether they’re hunting for used games to build their man cave or simply buying an old-school classic as a gift.
Generally, there are two methods that you can use this social media platform to sell your games.
First, join local buy-and-sell groups. A quick search on Facebook will give you multiple links to these groups. You can be more specific and search for groups that only buy and sell video games.
After you find these groups, enter them and answer any questions set by the admin. These are just protocols to ensure that there’s a real person behind your Facebook profile.
Once you gain access to the group, take some time to observe how other users are selling. Read their post descriptions, look at the comments, and see what kinds of questions potential buyers are asking. By doing this, you can optimize your own post to stand out from the crowd when it’s time to sell.
The second way to use Facebook to sell video games would be through Facebook Marketplace. This feature alone has at least 1 billion users using it monthly, so it’s almost guaranteed that your listing will be seen by people.
To sell on Facebook Marketplace, it’s better to take a lot of pictures of your item. If it’s a video game, you can just take a photo of its case and the CD (if it has one). But if you’re selling a console, take close shots and display the scratches to be transparent with the users.
Facebook has already proven its worth as a platform to sell different items. There are even flippers that use Facebook Marketplace to generate thousands in profit.
2. eBay
Here’s a fun fact. Did you know that before Kim Kardashian became famous, she had a successful eBay business? She started by selling her Manolo Blahnik shoes for $2,500 each, which she bought for $700 per pair. Let’s not forget this was back in the day, so you can imagine what $2,500 is worth today.
We all know that eBay has everything we can think of buying. For Kim, that was a closet full of designer shoes. But for us, it’s a collection of both old and new video games. It’s a place for sellers to make $200 per day or even more.
There’s even a seller who sold his retro video games to buy the highly coveted PlayStation 5. He just went back to his man cave and searched for video games he could sell. This shows that you too might have some “treasures” lying on some dusty cabinet somewhere in your house!
As a seller, the facts above should excite you. They show how profitable eBay can be. To help you sell effectively on this marketplace, I’ll be listing the different strategies to get the most money out of your item!
Again, market research will determine whether you’ll get a fair price on your products or get buried by other listings. Don’t just aimlessly list your games at a random price and hope for the best. Instead, take a deep dive into the market by scrolling through the listings and observing the prices of similar games. By taking note of the market prices, you can ensure that you’re not shortchanging yourself or scaring away potential buyers with an overpriced offer. Trust me, a little research can go a long way in getting your games sold at the right price.
For example, let’s say you want to sell your PS2 Gran Turismo 4 for $25, but when you search the online marketplace, the average price of the game is only around $15. This means you will need to sell within that range, or else buyers will simply choose a seller listing it for a cheaper price.
If you’d still like to pursue selling on eBay, the next thing to do is to take quality photos. The same thing was mentioned earlier, picture the front, back, and inside of the case. Next, be specific with your description, including the game’s name, year, and the platform for it.
When shipping these items, remember to wrap each game individually. These are fragile items that can be easily scratched or snapped. It’s always good to use a sturdy box as the outside container to keep your items safe.
3. Craigslist
You might overlook Craigslist when you plan to sell your games for cash. After all, it’s a known platform to sell items like furniture and old clothing instead of used or old video games. But don’t underestimate the potential it has!
For one, among all online platforms, Craigslist is where you can save most of your profits. This is because, unlike other websites, they don’t charge any fees for listings or sales, which means that you won’t have to worry about any commission being deducted from your earnings.
You also have a lot of flexibility when it comes to your pricing. Craigslist doesn’t impose any strict guidelines on pricing, so you have the freedom to set the price you believe is fair.
But that also means that you’ll have to coordinate with your buyers. They can, and most of the time, will negotiate with you. You have to be prepared to haggle a bit to reach a mutually agreeable price. You can look at that as an advantage, though! It’s a great way to build rapport with potential buyers, especially if you plan to sell video games as a business.
The only thing that you really need to keep in mind when using Craigslist is to be cautious when meeting with buyers. Always choose to meet in a public place during daylight hours. Make sure you’re careful not to fall victim to a scam, so never share any personal information until you’re sure that the transaction is legitimate.
One tip that I’ve learned: It’s best to let the buyer pay before you meet them. This lessens the chance of negotiating in person. Plus, you’re avoiding potential scams. This is usually a tactic by some people to get you to lower the price since you’ve already spent time driving to the place and want to close the transaction.
4. GameStop
GameStop was considered the mecca of games, collectibles, and consoles when we were kids. Now those kids have already grown up to be parents and are now bringing the new generation to the stores.
As a seller, if you want a quick transaction, GameStop is your best bet. You just have to bring your games to the cashier and let the staff run them through their system. It’s way faster than constant messages from buyers or prospects looking to bargain for a steal price.
If I were to sell my games, I would rather choose other online platforms because GameStop usually has a bad reputation for buying games from its customers. Most sellers think that they’re buying it for cheap but I understand why this is the case because they too need to make money from those games.
However, if you’re not bothered by how much money you’ll get, then by all means go to a store and let them buy your items. It’s the fastest route to get rid of your old games and consoles. The whole transaction can be done within minutes, depending on how big your game stash is.
5. Garage Sales
Garage sales are still quite popular for people to exchange their old belongings for cash. Sellers could make a hefty $500 to $1,000 in a day just by selling things that’s been sitting around the house.
Now if you’re going to sell your games and consoles at a garage sale, just be prepared for bargains. This is usually the case for any item sold in these places. Even you would try to bargain if you like an item at a garage sale. Just be mentally prepared on how low you’re willing to sell your items. If you’re fixed on your pricing, you can also simply tell the buyer that you’re firm on the pricing of your games.
Packaging your games together not only enhances their appeal to buyers but also gives you a chance to sell games that might be difficult to sell alone. By offering a bundle, customers can enjoy multiple games at a reasonable cost, reducing the chances of them trying to negotiate a lower price.
Personally, I don’t think that garage sales are the best place to sell video games. People here are looking for things to use, and usually not for entertainment. You’re better off selling those games online so it reaches a wider audience.
Best Places To Sell Video Games Online
Selling games for cash doesn’t have to happen in areas near you only. It’s also a great way to make money online, especially since there are many platforms that can help you reach a wider audience so you can get the best value for your video games.
Most of these are focused on video games, which means that if someone is on that website, they’re not looking for anything else but games or gaming consoles. That makes it easier to find people who are interested in what you have.
Still unsure? Don’t worry. The selling process doesn’t vary so much from one site to another, so it won’t be hard to understand how things work.
6. Swappa
Are you looking to earn cash for video games you don’t use anymore, but don’t want to risk losing income because of crazy high fees? Well, Swappa’s a trustworthy buy-and-sell platform with lower fees compared to others! This website focuses on gadgets, sneakers, and watches, so the audience is most likely already interested in what you offer.
Compared to other websites, Swappa has lower fees. You will usually see other platforms charge upwards of 10% from sellers, but Swappa only has a 3% sale fee. This means that if you sell a game console for $100, you’ll receive $97 since the $3 is the fee.
To get started on Swappa, all you have to do is enter information about the video games you’re selling, such as the name, condition, and description, set a price, and upload a clear photo. Swappa follows a “no junk” policy, so your items will still be reviewed and validated before they go live. This ensures that all items listed on the platform meet their quality standards.
Need money right away? Swappa’s got you! Once your item is sold, you get paid via PayPal immediately. This happens even before you ship the item out! You won’t have to wait for the buyer to receive and confirm it.
The only issue I see with Swappa is that you have to take care of and pay for the shipping. But with the earning potential on the platform, the positive outweighs the negative.
Overall, Swappa has one of the most convenient and hassle-free processes among online marketplaces. It’s friendly to both buyers and sellers!
7. Decluttr
There’s nothing more reliable than a website that has accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. It’s the only stamp of approval you need to know that a business meets a high standard of customer care. Do you know what website has that accreditation? Decluttr.
Because of the importance they put on customer care, they’re making waves and surfing them. They’ve even landed features in major publications. Decluttr is a go-to platform to sell anything tech- and book-related, so video games fit right in!
People love Decluttr because of how convenient it is to use the platform. It’s as easy as pressing play on your favorite game! To sell used video games, you just have to enter the game or scan the barcode using their app. No complicated forms, only instant quotes on your items. But keep in mind that not all games will get the golden ticket to the website. They only allow those from companies like Xbox, Nintendo, and PlayStation.
It also helps if you have more popular games like Super Mario and Metal Gear Solid, since these are the ones that get sold for a higher price.
The convenience doesn’t end with listing your item, though. Decluttr won’t even let you worry about the shipping because they will send you a “Welcome Pack” with your free shipping label once someone orders from you. Just print the shipping label out and tape it to your packaging.
After dropping off your package at the nearest shipping station, they’ll handle everything else. It’s all smooth sailing from there. You’ll receive your payment via PayPal, direct deposit, or even as a charity donation the day after your package arrives to your buyer.
Oh! The best part? They don’t charge any commissions. The price you see is what you’ll get. No hidden fees!
8. OfferUp
OfferUp is a free platform, making it one of the largest marketplaces. Both buyers and sellers enjoy using it because you can sell almost anything on it, from clothes, collectibles, and shoes to even power tools—and yes, you can sell your video games on it too!
If your buyer is located in another state, there will be a 12.9% service fee when the item sells. However, you don’t have to worry about shipping fees, as it is the buyer’s responsibility to pay for them. OfferUp will send you a prepaid shipping label once the sale has been made.
What I personally like about OfferUp is you get to see the ratings of the buyer. In a way, you get to check the history of the buyer on the platform. Do sellers leave a negative review on this specific person? Or are they all positive? This can give you an idea of what type of buyer they are and help you make a more informed decision when selling your items.
Here are some tips to help you sell your items faster on OfferUp:
- Spend time creating your listing – Craft a detailed and descriptive listing. Don’t leave any important details behind for your buyers. The more clear and specific your listing is, the higher the chance that it will get sold.
- Be responsive to buyers’ questions – Respond quickly to buyers’ inquiries to keep them interested and demonstrate that you are a reliable seller.
9. DKOldies
DKOldies isn’t your typical marketplace; it’s for gamers who love old consoles, video games, and other collectibles. Spending time on this website makes you want to purchase an old game just to remember what it’s like to be a kid again.
The fact that DKOldies attracts buyers from different states, including a rapper who made a big purchase of five different consoles, is a clear testament to its rising popularity and status as a go-to marketplace for vintage gaming enthusiasts.
Are you a gamer who’s been hoarding old video games for years, but you’re not sure where to sell or trade them? Try selling it on DKOldies, and it might become your favorite marketplace for all your gaming needs. Trading is also an option here, where you can trade or sell your Nintendo games, N64 consoles, retro game collections, PlayStation, and Xbox.
DKOldies provides a free quotation by simply emailing a list of items you’re considering selling. They also maintain an updated price list, which is fun to watch as you can observe which games have increased or decreased in value.
Just like any website, once you get your quotation and are ready to proceed, DKoldies will send you a free shipping label so you can send your stuff at zero cost. But you need to meet a $20 minimum selling requirement to qualify for that free shipping label. Once the company receives it, the payment will be sent within 1 to 2 days!
Aside from the marketplace being niche for gamers, it also has great reviews from buyers, which encourages more people to check out the website. It’s a great platform to sell on since users are not scared of being scammed.
10. The Old School Game Vault
What a bad-ass name, right? If you’re unfamiliar with this Chicago-based company, it’s the name of another website where you can sell video games for money.
Your old Sega, Xbox, Playstation, Atari, and other consoles can be sold here. The Old School Game Vault has been around for more than two decades already, so true buyers and sellers of video games are quite familiar with them.
Although the majority of the items sold are used, they still make sure that what is listed on their website are spotless and quality items. This works in your favor since this strict protocol boosts the confidence of their buyers.
They occasionally have WATA-graded games available for their collectors to purchase. For those who are unfamiliar, WATA is a video game grading company where collectors can send their items for grading and encapsulation. The higher the grade of the item, the more valuable it becomes.
To give you an example of how expensive a WATA-graded video game can be, the 10 most expensive games ever sold all have at least an A+ rating from WATA. At $1.56 million, Super Mario 64 is the most expensive! The game received an A++ rating, which is the highest the company could give.
If you have graded items or any type of game and console, you can sell it on The Old School Game Vault. However, they do not buy old sports games – the same goes for some popular websites. The reason for that is it isn’t popular enough for these companies to buy it from you or else they’ll run into the risk of not being able to sell it to someone else.
11. Amazon Trade-In Program
If you don’t exactly prefer to trade in video games for cash but just want to exchange them for something you can use, then you should consider Amazon’s Trade-In Program.
With this program, you can trade in your used products, like gadgets, books, and video games, in exchange for Amazon gift cards. Your items don’t have to be from Amazon to be qualified. As long as it’s on their list, you can go ahead and trade them in.
The process for this program is hassle-free. All you have to do is choose the category for your item. For video games, it will be under the “Gaming” category within the “Other Trade-In Categories.”
Next, you’ll have to tell Amazon about the item you have. This means answering questions about the video game’s condition, issues, damages, and whether or not it’s working. After answering, you’ll instantly get a trade-in offer from Amazon. If you’re happy with the offer, you can proceed. If not, you don’t have to push through with the transaction.
In the event that you do proceed, you’ll receive an email from Amazon that also contains the free UPS shipping label. You’ll have to drop off your items within 45 days after the confirmation.
Once your item is shipped out, you just have to wait for at most 10 days to see if it’s accepted. The value of your item will automatically be added to your Amazon gift card balance upon acceptance of your item.
Keep in mind that Amazon doesn’t accept all items. They’re very strict when it comes to damages to the items. If you’re trading in gaming consoles, they have to be fully functional for them to be accepted.
Although Amazon’s Trade-In program doesn’t give out the best offer for your video games or consoles, it’s a very convenient option, especially when you just want to declutter your items right away and aren’t looking to make a lot of profit.
12. Gameflip
Gameflip is a unique addition to this list, offering a more diverse range of items to sell beyond just games. Whether you want to part ways with your retro classics or your modern favorites, you can also sell in-game items and gift cards on this platform.
And if you’re into the emerging world of Web 3 projects, Gameflip lets you monetize that too! You can sell anything from Fortnite character clothes to Modern Warfare items, and even Diablo weapons.
The Gameflip platform offers an unexpected and exciting feature that caught my attention during my research: a blockchain category. This category offers a range of collectibles from popular play-to-earn games such as Axie Infinity, Splinterlands, and Alien Worlds. If you’re a fan of these types of games, Gameflip presents another marketplace where you can sell your characters and items.
In order to keep the platform safe from frauds, scams, and bots, Gameflip has a few requirements before you can sell:
- A seller must be ID-verified
- Understanding the different prohibited items
- The seller’s account must have a valid email address and have at least one credit card OR debit card linked to the Gameflip account
If you’re curious to learn more about Gameflip and how to make the most out of your selling experience, be sure to check out their Help Center.
13. PlayerUp
Did you know that you can actually sell your gaming accounts? Have you reached a point in your game where you just don’t feel like playing anymore? So your account is left lying there, untouched. That’s where PlayerUp comes in. It’s not a traditional video game-selling marketplace. It’s a place to sell and trade your player accounts.
Imagine a world of possibilities where you can sell various gaming accounts! And even YouTube accounts can be sold there. On PlayerUp, if you successfully sell your accounts, they will take a 20% commission fee from the sale. Everything else made from the sale will be yours to keep.
There’s a great ease in using the platform because there’s less chance of encountering fraud, unlike other online marketplaces. They give you the option to get middleman services if you want extra security with your transaction. This is why many people love transacting through PlayerUp, and there are even plenty of online communities and forums dedicated to the platform.
And with PlayerUp, gone are the days when payment methods are an added hassle. You can choose from over 20 payment methods, so there’s really no problem about them not being compatible with you. What a convenience, right?
There is one thing you need to know about PlayerUp, though. You really have to read the terms and conditions. Some video game companies don’t allow users to sell or trade their accounts for real money. If you’re caught doing that, you will be at risk of having your account shut down.
Tips On Selling Video Games For Cash
To sell video games is quite tricky, especially when there are thousands of other sellers listing the same items as you. So how can you sell your video games much more effectively than your competition? I have three practical tips for you to beat the crowd.
Tip 1: Use Real Photos
While this might seem like common sense, some sellers still need this tip. When selling your video games, or any item for that matter, avoid using images from the internet. Buyers want to see the actual item they are considering buying.
For instance, if you’re selling a PS5 and use an online image, potential buyers may become suspicious of your listing. They may wonder if it’s a scam if you don’t have the item on hand, or if the item is damaged. To avoid these roadblocks, I highly recommend taking high-quality photos of your listed items.
Tip 2: Do Your Research
There’s nothing worse for a seller than realizing that you sold an item way below its true value and could have made 5 times more than what you actually got. To avoid this unpleasant situation, it’s crucial to do your research first.
Check out different marketplaces to see how much your items are selling for. Read up on any news that might bump the game’s value even higher. Join communities and forums to see what others have to say in your industry.
You’ll never know that your old Zelda games might be sold at a much higher price because the creators of the game decided to end further production of the game series. A situation like this increases the demand/price for Zelda games since the supply has completely gone down.
Tip 3: Be Responsive
I’m sure that when you’re buying an item, you want the seller to respond to your questions as quickly as possible. Similarly, when you’re selling, make an effort to check your messages regularly or turn on your notifications.
When interacting with potential buyers, always be respectful and patient, even when they ask a lot of questions. Doing this will show that you care and could convince the buyer to choose you over your competitors who are short-tempered.
FAQs
1. Are old video games worth anything?
Don’t underestimate the value that your old games have, particularly when they are in good condition. Your old video games can be collecting dust right now, but they can be worth hundreds or even thousands to the right buyers.
The same thing applies to your game consoles as well. There are collectors who would pay good money for your items, no matter how old they are. If it’s functioning, the value can be higher. When it is functioning AND in great condition, you can bet that your consoles could be in the thousands range.
Here are a few examples of classic games that might get you $100 – $1,000+ in the right condition:
- Earthbound
- Paper Mario
- Mega Man X3
- Harvest Moon
- Final Fantasy VII
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2
- Classic Mario Games
- E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
2. How much do video game stores pay for games?
The price of these video games could vary depending on the actual game. Again, sports games won’t be selling for much; they might not even be accepted by some stores. The reason for this is that team members in sports games are often changed.
A good example of this is the NBA 2k games. An NBA 2k18 won’t be too appealing for most fans, even though it’s a “classic” because their favorite stars were playing for a different team back then. Let’s say you’re a fan of LeBron James. You wouldn’t have that much fun playing NBA 2k18 because LeBron is no longer part of the Cleveland Cavaliers roster today.
There’s a YouTuber who went around his town trying to sell his 100 video games stash to see who gives out the best offer. One local store offered to pay $68.60 in-store credits or $49.40 in cash, while another gaming store offered him $260 of in-store credit.
That $260 credit is a great deal considering that GameStop didn’t even accept some of his games and was only willing to buy three items out of the hundred he brought.
The lesson here is that stores don’t pay that much for old and unpopular games. They need to buy it at a low price so they can still make a profit from it.
To get the most cash back on your games, it’s worthwhile to visit at least 3 different video game stores and ask how much you could sell those items or what’s the equivalent in the in-store credits.
3. How much does GameStop pay for a game?
The GameStop trade-in value varies due to many factors, so there’s really no set price. The game’s popularity, condition, and demand, among other things, are some factors that come into play. As a general rule, newer or in-demand titles will surely get higher prices. Of course, the game’s condition also matters, so if it still has its original packaging, expect a higher price.
If you want to maximize the trade-in value, consider all the factors mentioned. For instance, a game like Madden, or other sports games, tends to lose value quickly because people prefer those with updated rosters. As a result, these games are traded in frequently, which may result in lower trade-in values. You’d be fortunate to get $10 or more for such titles, especially since they tend to lose value and are often traded in shortly after release.
On the other hand, Pokemon games are always expensive and in demand because of video game collectors and nostalgic series fans, so you can expect to get a higher price for them. Some can even be sold for $30 or more.
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