The Old School Game Vault - Shipping Policy

We recommend using a sturdy shipping box. Old Amazon boxes often do not protect items well during shipping. If you have a large collection, you can find good boxes at UPS or FedEx stores. The United States Postal Service also sells small boxes.

Answers to Your Shipping Questions

The Table of Contents

Customer Responsibility

• The customer is responsible for any damage that occurs during shipment.

• Package your items with secure cushioning materials, such as bubble wrap.
  • Note: Newspaper or thin paper is not acceptable as cushioning. Use heavy-duty packing paper, like brown kraft paper, for shipping, along with cushioning materials. However, don’t rely on it alone for protection.

• If your item arrives broken, we are unfortunately unable to offer compensation.

• Please remember: The Old School Game Vault is not responsible for lost packages. While we provide the shipping label, please note that The Old School Game Vault does not have control over carrier transit. Once the package is in the hands of USPS or UPS, they are responsible for its safe delivery.

Orders below $100.

• Now, we only accept orders valued at $100 or more.

Orders Over $100, get a free shipping Label

• If your order totals $100 or more, we will email you a prepaid USPS or UPS Ground shipping label.
• Please note: our prepaid labels do not include shipping insurance.

Here’s how it works:

• Print the label and securely attach it to your package.
• Drop off your package at any USPS or UPS location, depending on which label you receive.
• In rare cases, we may decline to buy your items if shipping costs exceed their value.

Shipping Label Box Size Requirements

• When we provide a free prepaid shipping label, the label is approved for a specific box size and weight based on each order.
• Please use the smallest sturdy box that safely fits your items and do not exceed the approved package dimensions listed in your order confirmation email. Oversized boxes can significantly increase shipping costs, even by just a few inches.
• If your order requires a box larger than the approved dimensions, please email us before shipping so we can review the package size. Do not use a larger box without notifying us first.
• Any additional carrier charges caused by oversized packaging, incorrect dimensions, excess weight, or multiple packages may be deducted from your final payout.

General Guidelines for Safe Shipping

• Please let us know when you send your package and include a copy of your order inside.
• We will acknowledge the arrival of your package by email once your games arrive.
• Always use cushioning around your items. We recommend bubble wrap because plastic parts can break with little effort.
• Shippers often handle packages roughly during shipping and may drop them from heights of 5 feet or more.
• We receive several broken consoles each week due to poor packaging. Please make sure to pack your items securely.

How Should You Pack Retro Video Games Before Shipping?

You should pack retro video games by wrapping NES, SNES, and N64 cartridges individually, protecting disc games in small groups, and using bubble wrap inside a sturdy shipping box.

How to package Cartridges, disc games, and boxed sets

The best way to protect loose cartridges (NES, SNES, N64) is to wrap each cartridge individually in bubble wrap.  For disc-based games, you can wrap them in bubble wrap, in, say, 12 game sections.  Meaning, wrap up about 12 games in bubble wrap, and then do the same thing for your remaining games. If you're selling a small trade-in order, just use a quality bubble mailer. 

How to ship Consoles and accessories

Consoles need multiple layers of bubble wrap and should never be placed on the bottom of the box.  When you place video game consoles in a box, ensure there is at least 3 inches of cushion below the console.  Controllers, cables, and power adapters should be packaged separately.  Generally, putting all your accessories in a large zip-loc bag works out great.