Sometimes, the price of new video games can be quite high. One way to deal with high game prices is to buy and sell used games at a discounted price. You can buy and sell used video games through a retailer or an online trading service. Most used games bought and sold through retailers are console (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, etc.) games, while used PC and Mac games are more easily found online. The guide below details how to buy and sell games at retailers, online retailers, and online marketplaces.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 6:
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Locate a retailer near you that buys and sells used games. Used game retailers include Gamestop, Play N Trade, and Best Buy.
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Find the used video game section for your chosen console. You'll most commonly find sections for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, Xbox, Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, GameCube, and PC.Advertisement
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Choose the title that you want and bring the game's case to the cashier.
- Some retailers allow you to spot check used discs and cartridges before you buy them. Employees also check the games to make sure they are in working condition.
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Purchase the game. Most major retailers accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards.Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 6:
Selling Used Games at a Retailer
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Bring your used games to a retailer that accepts them.
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Go to the checkout counter and tell an employee you want to sell your games. The employee will either ask to see identification (some retailers require you be over 18 to sell games) or begin scanning your games to see how much they are worth. They may also ask you to fill out your information, such as your name, address, phone number, and email, for their records.
- The value of a game is determined by how rare and popular it is, how many copies the retailer already has, the physical quality of the disc or cartridge, and the game system that it is for.
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Accept the trade-in value. Some stores offer a larger amount in store credit than the money they would normally give you. If you shop at the store often and plan to trade in games regularly, it might be worth it to accept the store credit.Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 6:
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Go to a website that buys and sells used video games. Sites such as GameFly.com, Amazon.com, and BestBuy.com sell used games.
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Search for the title that you want. You can either enter it into the site's search bar or manually browse the site's catalog by console and genre to find it.
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Find a used version of the game and click the "Buy" link. This will take you to a standard Internet checkout procedure, where the site will ask for your name, shipping and billing address, credit card information, email, and phone number.
- Some online retailers send you a confirmation email with the details of your order. Save this email for your records. You can use it as proof of your purchase in case your game is defective.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 6:
Selling Used Games to an Online Retailer
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Go to a website that buys and sells used video games.
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Find the game you want to trade-in from the catalog list. Select the "Trade-in" link for the game.
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Enter the game's Universal Product Code (UPC). UPC's are generally located on the back of a game's case in one of the lower corners. Online retailers ask for these to confirm that you have a legal copy of the game.
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Purchase an envelope to ship your game. An 8.5 inch (203 mm) by 11 inch (279 mm) padded envelope fits most games.
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Print the pre-paid shipping label and apply it to the envelope.
- Some online retailers do not provide pre-paid shipping. If this is the case, you need to purchase the proper postage or shipping label (from a courier of your choice) and obtain the retailer's shipping address.
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Mail the envelope and wait for the online retailer to receive it. Once they receive the game and find it to be in working order they will credit you with a trade-in value.
- Sometimes money is credited through a service such as PayPal, but most online retailers offer credit on store-specific gift cards (as with Amazon) and fee reductions on services (as with GameFly).
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Method 5
Method 5 of 6:
Selling Used Games Through an Online Marketplace
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Go to a website that allows you to advertise or auction items. Craigslist and eBay are examples such sites.
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Create a seller profile. Fill out all your seller information, such as shipping rates and acceptable methods of payment.
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Create a listing for your used video game. Describe the game's condition, how much you're selling it for, and what your shipping rates are. Take a picture of the game and upload it to show the game's condition.
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Purchase envelopes to ship your games to buyers.
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Get your buyer's shipping and billing information. Once someone buys your game, keep a record of the buyer's name, address, email, and phone number.
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Send your game to the buyer. Make sure your shipping label (purchased from your courier of choice) is placed on the envelope.
- Sites that allow you to sell items individually use protected payment services, such as PayPal, which helps ensure that the buyer's payment is made as quickly and securely as possible.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 6:
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Visit an auction or marketplace website. Examples of these are eBay and Amazon Marketplace.
- Some sites (such as eBay) will require you to create a "buyer profile" in order to purchase anything from the site. The profile includes your basic information, such as name, address, preferred method of payment, email, and phone number.
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Locate the used game you want.
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Select the "Buy" option to purchase the game. Proceed with the site's checkout method.
- Most sites use some form of protected payment system, such as PayPal, to make sure your transactions are as fast and secure as possible. You can typically use a credit card to pay for used games, but some sellers accept check and money order.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionI sold a Nintendo 64 player to a game store, and when I got home my daughter told me that she still wanted it. I had sold the wrong one! It has only been less than 3 hours since I sold it; do I have the right to insist that they let me have it back for the same amount they paid me?DonaganTop AnswererNo, you don't have that right. The store now owns the player and has the right to decide whether to sell it and what price to ask.
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Video
Tips
- Some retailers reward customers who trade-in used games with special promotions, such as a percentage of additional store credit and savings on new games.Thanks
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Warnings
- Retailers will not accept games that they have too many copies of or are heavily damaged. Do not be surprised if they reject games that fall under these criteria.Thanks
- Some marketplace sites may charge a fee for you to sell through their site.Thanks
- The value of video games decreases quickly after their condition goes from new to used. Therefore, you won't get a high trade-in value for used games at retailers.Thanks
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References
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