The Best Foolproof strategy to Sell Video Games Online

In the ‘80s and early ‘90s, there weren’t many ways a kid could make a buck off selling his old video games. Other than by selling them for pennies on the dollar at garage sale. But with the online revolution in full swing, the second-hand video game market has exploded into an industry that generates around $1.7 billion annually.

Even global behemoth Walmart is getting in on the action, trying to usurp Texas video-game retailer GameStop as the best place to trade in video games. This is to say nothing of the countless online vendors who buy and sell used video games online.

With so many outlets in which to sell your games, it’s best to keep in mind some tips to help those doing the selling to get the most cash in old games and gaming accessories.

Is it worth it to sell your games online?

Yes If you have a bunch of vintage stuff to sell like, original Nintendo NES, Super Nintendo, Sega Saturn Games, and some old PS2 games.  Did I forget gaming consoles, as there is also a big market for those as well? Going online is usually your best bet, as these classic video games require a unique Online Shopper, generally one you can easily find online. 

Think like a professional

There’s nothing wrong with selling games online for a buck or two apiece—if your goal is only to recoup the bare minimum on your investment. Any professional retailer will tell you that it’s better to sell one game for 50 bucks than a few for five bucks. There are also percentages to keep in mind. When dealing in rare titles that can fetch hundreds of dollars minimum, you’ll want your potential return to hover in the 20% range. Conversely, try to move your lower-priced games for three or four times their asking price. If they are rare enough, you just might succeed at this. But above all else…

Don’t mistake rarity for demand

A private seller may have what he or she believes to be a rare cartridge game. That doesn’t necessarily mean it will fetch a high price. Like any other capitalistic endeavor, the second-hand game market is subject to the laws of supply and demand. This is a very good point to take into consideration. Unlike the world of comics, there’s a dearth of resources in the form of price guides where it concerns the worth of old video games (although there are a few helpful resources out there). That means buyers should perform their own market analysis, which brings us to our next point.

Get a sense of the market

The easiest solution—and one that every seller looking to sell used video games should take to heart—is to search bidding sites like eBay to get a notion of the current market price of the title in question. Look at every bid and calculate the average. Pay particular attention to competitive bids, as an abundance of those will suggest that a title will likely only appreciate in value in the near future. And also look at the set price to see what the seller might have done wrong. After all, there’s nothing worse than setting a Buy It Now prices too high, only to realize you’ve overestimated the market.

Understand market forces

So what forces determine whether you get $100 for selling video games online?  There are certain indicators that recommend the game in your possession is more valuable than others out there. For example, if it was a limited edition, that counts. If it was only available exclusively through one retailer, or via mail away, that also raises its value. “Flinstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Park” for the NES may not seem like a rare gem on its surface, but because it was exclusive to Blockbuster Video upon its initial release, and because it was one of the last titles ever released for the system, that drove up its resale price.

And finally, potential sellers should never overlook the international market. Many sellers don’t realize the great demand for secondhand titles in other countries. So search bid sites high and low to find those that operate within an international community. Who knows, a game that might fetch just $20 at home could go for $200 in Asia.

Use the World's Largest Online Marketplace 

Heading down to your local retro games store may allow you to utilize their trade in program, but many times at a fraction of its original value.  You may be able to sell to a local vendor for a decent price. However, If the game is not in demand locally, you may not be able to trade it in or sell it at all. That's why we recommend you sell your video games online, chances are high that you can connect with at least one other person who is in search of what you are selling. If you're willing to consider shipping nationally or even internationally, you can appeal to an even bigger market.  You're sure to find someone who is interested if you market yourself well and have a product in good condition.

Going Online is a great business opportunity because there's no limit to how many people you can reach. You can use social media to promote your services, and you'll likely find a niche audience willing to pay for your game for sale.

How to get some Extra Cash

When you're selling anything online, you are an independent contractor who can set a price for your items. You may not always get full asking price right away – you can either negotiate with the potential buyer or wait it out for someone who is willing to pay the price you want to sell it for. In either case, you have a fair amount of control because the buyer will know, just as you do, that there may be other buyers behind him if he doesn't make the purchase. When you have older vintage items in good condition, this puts you in a good spot. When you are established and can set the selling price for your items; just be sure not to get greedy and overprice your items by a huge margin, or you will alienate buyers.

It's Possible to Become an Authority & Establish Your Own Prices

If you sell a lot of different used merchandise, you can begin to establish a value proposition for working with you versus other online gaming sellers. You can gather positive reviews or recommendations that speak to the benefits of buying from you. To become a successful online seller, gain the community's trust by offering fair sales on quality Nintendo game consoles: like Super Nintendo, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo Game Boy Advance. Once the online community has learned that they can trust you, it's possible to offer a value proposition that other sellers haven't yet earned.

Now that you will be somewhat of a trusted source of selling online, you can build strong relationships with other gamers. This makes it much easier to sell online in the future, or make mutually beneficial trades. Online sales will beget more of the same, either from the same person or from someone who an original buyer recommends to you. If you work with an online vendor, a few good exchanges will make you a go-to person to get quality games.

Make Sure Payment Options are Secure

People are pretty used to buying & selling things online, and it's easy to set up a secure instant payment system. Collect payment via PayPal, which can organize a fair payment exchange between you and any buyer with an email address and checking account. You won't have to worry about depositing large amounts of cash in your bank on a regular basis, or trusting that a paper check will clear.  Sites like PayPal will send a direct deposit into your account, payment sources like Venmo & Zelle are instant and simple as well.  Other payment options like gift cards and store credit are also a great secure way to receive payments.

Certainly, when you get into the business of buying used video games, it can be a fairly lucrative practice.  Whether you are looking to get move your video games for cash, find some cheap games at a garage sale and flip them. The Internet gives you the chance to reach a nearly infinite number of buyers; just don't forget to consider shipping costs into your bottom line if the buyer lives far away. You can either add it as a separate charge or build it into the cost of your Nintendo merchandise from the start.

Hopefully this has helped you

Online sales allow you to sell your own games without having to deal with physical inventory. It's a hassle to store and ship hundreds of copies of your games, so why not let someone else handle all of that? There are many places to sell video games nowadays, including eBay, Amazon, social networks, Facebook Marketplace, and others.  Best of luck, and if you get stuck and just want the most covenant route, just use the old school game vault for your selling options.