If your items do not meet these standards, we may reject them or reduce the payout. Check our Rejection Policy to see how we handle rejected items.
The Table of Contents
What condition must my games, consoles, and accessories be in?
The Old School Game Vault buys games, consoles, and accessories that are authentic, working, clean, and in good condition. When we receive your items, we verify that they work, are in good condition, and are clean. The prices we quote assume your items meet all the requirements below.
- All items must be authentic and functional.
- Accessories included with consoles or bundles must be in working condition.
- If games, consoles, or accessories arrive very dirty, we may take 30% off the quoted price for cleaning.
- We don't buy any orders that smell of cigarette smoke.
- We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for counterfeit, bootleg, or reproduction games. Counterfeit items are not eligible for purchase.
- Items that do not meet these requirements may be subject to deductions or rejection.
- Our shipping policy is part of the terms and conditions when you sell to The Old School Game Vault.
What condition must disc-based games be in?
Disc-based games must load and play right away, and be free from excessive scratches, cracks, disc rot, and resurfacing. All disc-based games must be in their original case with original artwork.
We do not buy:
- Loose disc-only games.
- Resurfaced discs.
- Games with copied or generic artwork or manuals.
- Games with foil label damage (scratches or damage to the top of the disc).
- Games with liquid damage or stains larger than a quarter on the case, artwork, or manual.
Do my disc games need their original case, artwork, and manual?
Yes. Every disc game must include its original case, artwork, and disc. Whether the manual is required depends on the platform: some platforms must be complete, and others allow a missing manual with a 40% deduction.
Platforms That Must Be Complete
Games for these systems must include the case, manual, artwork, and disc. We will reject them if the manual or artwork is missing.
- PlayStation 1
- Philips CD-i
Missing Manual Allowed (With Deduction)
You can sell games for these platforms without a manual, but we will take 40% off the price.
- PlayStation 2
- PlayStation 3
- Original Xbox
- Xbox 360
- Nintendo GameCube
- Nintendo Wii
- Nintendo Wii U
- Sega Dreamcast
- Sega CD
- Sega Saturn
- Panasonic 3DO
- TurboGrafx-16 CD
PlayStation 4 and Xbox One games don't need a manual, since most were released without a printed one.
We will reject games that lack artwork or use generic artwork. Please refer to individual product pages for platform-specific deduction information.
What condition must cartridge games be in?
Cartridge games must have their original, readable label, an undamaged shell, and contacts free of corrosion.
- The original labels must be there and easy to read. Acceptance of missing end labels depends on the platform.
- Cartridges must not be cracked or damaged.
- The contacts must not have any corrosion.
- We do not accept fake or reproduction cartridges.
For more details on cartridge inspection, see our Cartridge Requirements.
What condition must consoles and accessories be in?
Consoles must work without any issues, and console bundles must include all the listed parts.
- All consoles must operate without any issues.
- Handheld consoles with batteries must charge and power on without any issues.
- Console bundles must include all the listed parts.
- If a bundle is missing parts like controllers, cables, or accessories, we will deduct the replacement cost from your payout.
What deductions apply to damaged game cases?
The Old School Game Vault deducts $1.00 for each broken or damaged standard case, $5.00 for a broken double-disc jewel case, and 30% for minor damage to a large-format case.
- The $1.00 fee applies to standard plastic cases and jewel cases, including cases with cracks, ripped outer sleeves, broken spindles, or damaged hinge tabs.
- If a double-disc jewel case is broken or cracked, we will deduct $5.00.
Large-format cases (including Sega CD and Sega Saturn longbox cases):
- If there are minor cracks or cosmetic damage, we will deduct 30% from the value.
- If there is major damage, broken hinges, or other structural problems, we cannot accept the case.
What deductions apply to cosmetic flaws?
The Old School Game Vault applies a 35% deduction to games we accept with cosmetic flaws or that require extra cleanup.
- Excess stickers or marker that require removal.
- Small tears in the original game label.
- Small stains on the original artwork, about the size of a quarter or smaller.
- Large tears in the instruction manual.
This deduction applies only to items we can still accept. Missing original artwork results in rejection, and acceptance of missing end labels depends on the platform.
What other selling restrictions apply?
The Old School Game Vault has three other selling restrictions, covering region, seller location, and duplicate games.
- We only buy NTSC-region games unless otherwise specified.
- We only buy from customers located in the United States.
- Each customer may sell a maximum of two identical games within a six-month period.
How long is my quote valid?
Your quote is valid for 14 business days from the date you submit your order. Your order must be postmarked within those 14 business days to secure your quoted price, so mail delays won't affect it.
- We update prices regularly and will reprice orders postmarked after the 14 business day period based on current site values.
Does The Old School Game Vault accept every order?
No. Due to high volume and current inventory levels, The Old School Game Vault cannot accept every order submitted. We reserve the right to decline any order at our discretion.
Who is responsible for damage during shipping?
The customer is responsible for any damage that occurs during shipping. If a case arrives cracked or broken due to poor packaging, a case deduction fee will apply. See our shipping policy for packing instructions.
