As a collector my advice is don't collect just buy the system you enjoy and spend that $100 on an everdrive. If i knew now what i didn't 2 years ago. I would have never got into hobby. Check out snestastic video about quitting collecting. All my available cash just goes on ebay and other sites to complete my dream of a complete saturn/dreamcast collection and n64. I also realized i was collecting all these games and not actually playing on any of them. Not the reason why i joined the hobby in the first place. yes i still buy games i'm 30% left in completing them but was it worth it ? No not really the prices just going up and up and the fun just kept going down. Flea markets now you gotta be up and out at 4 am to find any games. I've seen guys litterly come and pick up every single game of the market just to re-sell , i know because they told me so. Thrift stores now are matching their retro games with ebay prices. Can't even find a bargain on craigslist anymore , why ? Smartphones mostly even a person with zero knowledge of video games just goes on ebay to check out how much they are worth. It also doesn't help how the media is talking about how your old games could be worth thousands.
I think your golden rule is a perfect reminder. Many people are too afraid too purge items in their collection. If you never see yourself playing the game like seriously ever, then sell it and buy something you really want. I also like a tip MetalJesusRocks said a few weeks ago when he did a video like this. He said "When others turn right, you turn left". This means when everyone is buying up Super Nintendo games, focus on some really good, cheaper Genesis games. If your not interested in Genesis, go after console games off people's current radar. There is no need to buy up tons of Wii U games right now when they are still priced 40-50 dollars. But maybe 2 years from now strike when the games are being clearanced off like Wii games right now.
+jrmann331 You hit the nail on the head. A buddy of mine was at a target back in the day who had 5 copies of Conkers bad fur day for $5 a piece and 3 Pokemon N64 systems for $10 a piece, he bought them all at the time knowing that when a system is being shoveled out is usually when those games will be rare later on. We all know how that worked out.
Like right now I am really focusing on 6th generations consoles and the ps1 occasionally. People in my area are not really looking for that stuff and I haven't seen many game collectors in my area in general.
+Retro Remix Nation well your videos have risen in quality to the point I don't think there's anything missing. Just keep up this level of quality and I think you'll be finding success soon.
Amazing how quickly my collection has been growing using the bulk buy and sell technique. It has costed me near nothing :) and now I have a nice N64 and SNES collection going.
I really needed to see a video of this topic either for a refresher or new ideas. My bundling and negotiating could use a bit of work. Also, I was in the same in wanting to collect it all. I realized I didn't once I got over 40+ GBA games I would hardly/never play so I sold them. Fantastic tip video and thanks for making it!
+Hyper Fuze People get so much flack online for "selling" their games. Oh your just a reseller... No Im just someone that wants to further my collection. You definetly have to sell to be a big time collector, unless money grows on trees in your back yard.
Hit up all thrift and pawn shops. Use that gaming knowledge you got. Minus sports titles buy all 2 dollar titles. Take to game store. Use as trade in credit. I average 40 free bucks a month doing this. Not much but its something.
We are all slaves to where we reside lol. No flea markets and its fuckin cold in michigan. But I make it work. Thats half the fun. The hunt and the how the hell do I do this being a broke ass mofo? lol. Dirty broke, beautiful, and free!
I used to find all kinds of things in my area seemed like I was the only one buying video games. However that has changed considerably the last 3-4 years now its hard to come across anything. I still try though and pick up what I can.Newly subscribed to your channel keep it up!
Another great tip: while eBay doesn't have the best prices, if you're looking for Japanese imports, Yahoo Auctions Japan is a FANTASTIC place to get a bunch of stuff for pretty cheap! You may even find something pretty rare once in a while (a friend helped me find a super rare Mario vinyl record based off of the Mario anime movie). The cost of using a proxy service may be high, but trust me when I say you will be saving a lot of money compared to buying imports from eBay.
I think a great way to get into collecting if your tight on money is to buy for the systems others aren't. For example, i started game collecting about a month ago, i already loved gaming and knew alot about game prices, console prices and game history, which gave me a advantage and i decided i would start a game collection. So what did i buy?. Well, alot of people start with NES, SNES, N64 and those are great systems, but those games are so pricey, many of the good ones go for $50+. What i bought was a Wii, PS1 and Genesis, and im finding great games for prices of $10-$15. PS1 can sometimes run a little high but its usually pretty low still. You can find great games on systems that no one else cares about, and bad games on ones everyone cares about
Was out thrift storing this afternoon and found about a dozen old Disney VHS tapes for a dollar each, in great shape and seemed to be from the same owner. Since I haven't seen most of them, I figure I'll watch them all to see that they all work and then eBay them. Even if I only make a few dollars for each one I'd still make a profit. Another time I scored an iCade (the thing you put a tablet in and it has arcade controls) like new, only missing the battery door for $2. Mom and Pop-style thrift stores usually don't check the value of gaming stuff, so they can be a good place to visit here and there. Thanks for the tips on collecting.
Good stuff. Pretty much the same way i am when it comes to collecting and hunting. Me as a collector is tough to focus on one Kind of video game base just because id hate to miss out on good stuff or rare games but it does make it easier if you focus on one. Def a good video to those curious on how to be smart on collecting. Good Vid
I feel garage sales are more of a bust than many of us want to admit especially these last two - three years. For one there are a lot fewer yard sales taking place because people are finding alternative ways to sell their used items. Far fewer neighborhood sales take place again because far too few homes actually participate. And I dont blame this phenomenon because 70 to 80 % of people who show up are resellers or penny pinchers refusing to pay more than a dollar for everything. Secondly, more and more people ARE recognizing the value of old games and so either refuse to sell it on the spot or they themselves have gotten back into retro gaming. It has been unbelievable how many people say when I ask "we have old gaming stuff but we aren't going to sell it because we are starting to play it again with our kids". And when you do have people who bring stuff out and are willing to sell their value is way over inflated or they get their phone out and reference Ebay. I miss the days when we did not have smart phones to quickly check values of items. I wouldn't have games like Earthbound, Secret of Mana or Suikoden 2 if the sellers had smart phones at the time.
+jrmann331 I agree mostly with this comment. I however still do have some luck with garage sales. Yes I do come across people that think their games are worth a ton. I have the most luck at the garage sales that you would probally not stop at. Like old lady sales. You know what Im talking about, old christmas collectables, or vintage lamps and furniture. A lot of them had grand kids that left their old systems there that are taking up space, that they are totally willing to get rid of. You would never know unless you ask. I found some of my biggest scores this way.
Honestly Sega is the BEST system to collect for. You can pick up games complete in box for a fraction of the price you could get a snes cart for. Its one of the best collectors genre to collect for in my eyes. So many awesome titles as well.
Old video but I learned alot from this. I am currently trying to collect only for a few consoles but there are so many games I feel I'll never have the money for it all. I'll start trying to buy in bulk see if I can flip the stuff I want
Just found you today, i found your tips very handy and i can relate to them very well, especially the how much for everything... For instance you can usually get idea if they are wanting to much or to little just by asking this. And for most part will work on price they have given you if seperating out the bundle. Also i can''t stress it enough when you say don't collect for anything and everything... i really think people at moment are to focused on amassing a collection thats big not one they feel proud about having because all the titles are usually junky fillers that they were never play or don't care about. if this is you just stop and think why am i doing this. for fame? well sorry sunshine just because you have massive collection of stuff doesn't mean people will watch you. so focus on what you care about. anyway great video will be watching more of your videos can't wait to see more advice videos like this in future
Hey great video. I just started collecting and still trying to find my passion and what I want to focus on. Iv just been collecting everything from markets and garage sales but I'm ending up with a massive pile of things I'm not even sure I want hahah.
Nice video! I'm having a hard time with picking what I want to collect since I've been getting everything too (I shouldn't). But I've been thinking about focusing on N64 and PSP since the NES and SNES are already getting pricey and hard to find. Thanks for the awesome video!
Now is a great time for psp and n64. Psp is really low in prices right now, and the N64 is at the beginning of a rise, so I would definitely try to get all you can now before prices get insane.
I have a problem, I live in western europe, so the NES i bought is pal-b. NES wasn't that successful in europe, so the pal-b games cost much more than in USA.
+Grieverheart111 Keep all your not popular titles until you get a decent amount like 20+. Bundle them in a lot by themselves or put them with a console if you have an extra one. Game stores or complete collection collectors normally will pick them up at a discounted rate.
What do I do if I have a good REALLY REALLY good nintendo collection, but a console with 1 game? Like, I got my ps4 with 9 games, an xbox with 1 game, and my nintendo with over 98 Games, should I just leave the rest? I don't want to like, waste the money and buy a console like that.. ;c
It is totally up to you. I have a Sega Master System for just 1 game. After years of collecting everything for everything, I learned that just collecting the games that have nostalgic memories or games that I will 100% play is the way to go for me. My space and money are precious. If you are going to play that 1 Xbox game, then it is totally worth keeping. If not, then sell it to get more of what you want.
What do you think about buying limited run games...I try and buy 2 of every game so I can sell one and keep one but I still am holding on to these games thinking that they will go up eventually ( i mean they have to right) there print runs are super small....I use the money from the retro games I sell so I can hold on to the limited run games but I haven't been able to grow my retro collection because of this( it's pretty big allready) for example I have 280 nes games...im debating on giving up buying lrg and just go back to solely retro. Any thought?
Adam Mastrandrea Rare and limited does not necessarily mean valuable. It is all about demand. How many people want said item. There are people going for complete collection and may need the game to complete. Sometimes games shoot up and or drop in price for no reason. As for collecting for retro or not, it is mainly where your passion lays. What games do you play more, or enjoy getting more. Unfortunately I can not answer that question for you.
I don't know, but I think that collect, sometimes, just ruin the world of videogames, speculation, high prices for shit, and the obsession for collecting rather than play and have fun with videogames... And I don't want to be an hipocrite, of course I would love to have many games but that doen't mean that I dont see the bad side.
Any tips for a Canadian collector? Garage sale season is over because of winter. Not really sure on what to do. Also, how can you tell if a thrift store goes by ebay margins?
If you go to the pricecharting website, in the top right corner you can change currency to Canadian. Search the game you are looking at and see if the thrift store is at that value. If they are, then they are using eBay prices.
He's waiting for a job lot to come his way with the brackets and screws he needs, then he can sell the drill and other bits so he gets the shelf for free. Didn't you watch the video?
How can you stand by video game price charting? It's not that good. Just went to the site to see how it is ( first time ) and firsy went to N64. Clicked on bomberman second attack and see ( ebay $15.99 ).. Obviously a Japanese copy... Lol. Then went to GBA and clicked on pokemon emerald version.. ( ebay $12.99 ).. Obviously a Chinese bootleg.. Yaaa really good site there. It's super hard to collect games now unless you drop some decent coin. I find maybe 1 kills lot deal every 6 weeks to 2 months now.
Its definitely not perfect, but you usually can tell if something doesnt look right. Some games take a little more research, but for the most part its a pretty solid site.
