If you're trying to figure out where to sell your video game systems, most people want the same two things. The most money possible and the least amount of hassle. The good news is you can get both. The bad news is you have to know where to look.
The Table of Contents
Start online, but slow your roll.
I know what you're thinking. Just hop online and find a quote. That's the right instinct, but the internet has a way of making things look better than they are. Before you fill out a single form, you need to know that there are three kinds of game-buying sites out there.
A. The Store Credit Trap
These sites show attractive buying prices. You get excited, go through all the steps, and then the truth comes out at the end. Your only payment option is store credit. If you aren't familiar with how store credit payment works, I've written a detailed article that covers exactly what to watch for. The short version is that store credit isn't cash, and it never will be.
This is something to really watch out for, especially if you're a parent liquidating your kids' old consoles. Or you need to clear some space and aren’t looking to buy more video games. You don’t want to be offered credit when you're not in the market to buy video games. So you need to be able to spot these sites fast, pivot, and move in a direction that works for you.
B. The Fly-By-Night Sites
These sites aren't always easy to spot upfront. They have an address, a phone number, the whole thing. The warning sign is that they disappear the moment bad reviews start stacking up. Search the site name before you do anything else. Take a hard look at how long they've been around and what people are saying about them. A real business has a real history.
One thing that sticks out here is keyword-centric domains. I often think about sites that are gone now, like sellusedgames, cashforgamers, and sellvideogames. These three stand out to me. They come out aggressive, make a big splash, but they can’t keep their momentum and fizzle away.
C. The Sites That Understand Value
These are the ones worth your time. Fair cash offers, real prices based on actual market data, and a track record you can verify. They aren't always the flashiest, but these are the 'Rock Solid Companies' that actually pay you.
These are the sites that have a well-established presence on the internet. When you search for them, they have a history, a story to tell, and reviews. The point I’m making is that these businesses are anchored in and here for the long haul.
What about selling it yourself?
Big online marketplaces let you reach buyers all over the country. That sounds great until you factor in your time. I've already broken down exactly how much you actually make on a $50 sale after fees, shipping, and your own time. The numbers might surprise you. Spoiler: it's a lot less than $50.
I’ll admit I have sold a fair amount of stuff locally, but generally when selling through these platforms. I price stuff to sell or to get noticed; sure, I can try listing on local marketplaces at face value. But in all likelihood, you're not going to make a sale that way. Local markets work best when you attract buyers by price, not by what you think the price is.
The Local Game Store Problem
I hear this from customers all the time. They try the local shop first, get a lowball offer, and walk out annoyed. It makes sense when you think about it. A physical store has rent, utilities, and staff to pay for. That overhead has to come from somewhere, and it usually comes out of your offer. It's not personal. It's math.
I know this for a fact: years ago, I had a storefront on Belmont Ave in Chicago. I always had great foot traffic. Still, rent isn’t cheap at that location; insurance, parking, etc., all add up. Working exclusively online now gives me the ability to buy consoles at prices I couldn’t before with these expenses.
So What's the Move?
Find out what your console is actually selling for. Be realistic about how much time and money you want to spend finding the right buyer. For most people, faster and cleaner wins every time.
Ask yourself one question: how quickly and how easily do I want this done?
Check out our site. We show instant trade-in prices on used video game consoles and games right on the page. No store credit. We pay quickly, straight to your account.
