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General and Gaming => General => Topic started by: Cartagia on November 09, 2018, 09:03:50 am

Title: Where do you get your games?
Post by: Cartagia on November 09, 2018, 09:03:50 am
As collectors, I imagine that most of us would get our games on the secondary market, but I also know that the main secondary market outlet - GameStop - doesn't have the best reputation (at least in the US).  So, the subject question stands - where do you get your games?

On the first run market I was a huge proponent of the Best Buy's Gamer's Club unlocked, where I save a ton of money, and earned a lot of points, but since BB ended the program and my membership expired this year I have really backed off - even though I placed a few extra pre-orders prior to the expiration to get the bonus points and discounts.

In general, however, I don't buy a ton of new games on release day.  I tend to wait on sales, in which case the outlet doesn't matter for me, or I find warehouse / open box outlet stores.  There is a local chain called Bargain Hunt that I was getting lots of my new games from earlier this year / last year, but ever since they changed how often they do markdowns it has not been as beneficial, but I still occasionally find something.

That brings us to the secondary market.  Most of my collection has actually been supplemented from two major sources - local auctions, where finds are becoming more and more rare, and Facebook Marketplace, where people now think that any game older than 10 years is worth $20 automatically.  That's not to say finds can't be had, you just have to work harder and be more vigilant.

There is a giant used media warehouse in Nashville called McKay's that I visit on a semi-regular basis, that will occasionally have some good deals, but the best part about it is the trade-in credit.  I've not actually paid a single dollar to them in years.  I found a woman selling hundreds of CDs (and a copy of Street Fighter II!) about two years ago that I paid $20 for.  I went through the entire collection, ripped the albums I wanted to keep, kept the ones I really wanted to keep and then ended up with about $200 in store credit that I have been cycling through with different DVD, CD and game upgrades over the past couple of years.  My last visit was the first time since that purchase that I actually spent more credit than I earned on the trip.  The prices here have been creeping up slowly the past few years, however.

There's a small comic shop chain called Great Escape near McKay's, the focus is more on collectibles, but they do have a few games and the like.  Anything that McKay's doesn't take in trade, they will, and their prices are generally better if they happen to have the same thing.

And of course there are the old stalwarts, yard sales, flea markets, Goodwill.  Inconsistent, but they can often be the source of the flat out best deals.  My last yard sale deal was a PS2, Wii and 4 or 5 Wii games for $15.  And I got a random great haul of 360 games at a Goodwill about 2 months ago.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: 98dgreen on November 09, 2018, 09:19:23 am
Basically everything in my collection comes from yard sales from April to October and from thrift stores in the off season with a small amount coming from flea markets and trades.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: tripredacus on November 09, 2018, 09:47:05 am
Primarily thrift for me. Really it is the only good way to get PC games. I was very sad the day Gamestop (or was it EB back then?) announced they would stop selling used PC games.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: burningdoom on November 09, 2018, 12:46:54 pm
It used to be primarily 2 local sources + eBay. But both of those local sources are gone. There was an awesome used movie and video game shop called Video Exchange that closed down. And the local Goodwill was awesome, but now they never put out video games anymore. At least they still put out a lot of DVDs and blu-rays, still, though.

Now it's mostly GameStop and eBay. Local hunting is just for movies mostly, anymore, and comics at the local comic shop.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: kypherion on November 09, 2018, 12:52:14 pm
Retro Gaming expo, Ebay, Amazon for new games like Smash Ultimate
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: pizzasafari on November 09, 2018, 03:33:21 pm
Pretty much just eBay, but I sometimes get modern games from CEX and Game if I'm in town. The only retro game shop in my area closed down a few years ago so I don't really have any alternatives.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: ignition365 on November 09, 2018, 03:38:05 pm
I rotate constantly.  I haven't been buying second hand games a lot lately, so really it's just been Best Buy/Amazon/LRG.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: bikingjahuty on November 09, 2018, 04:15:47 pm
The area I live in is mostly a wasteland; the thrift stores have all become greedy and overpriced, the flea market has the same sun faded sports games they've had for over a decade, and garage sales are not a great investment of your time from my experience either. I find most of my games at various independent game stores around town and also several used media stores in the state. While I do pay ebay prices or close to ebay prices a lot more than I used to, I actually go to these places with the intention of catching them slipping on prices, which I've become pretty good at over the years. A few slip way more than others so I try and go to them more often, but nearly all of them accidently price something well under ebay, and if it's something I want I snag it. There a ton of collectors and resellers in my area so this is my way of catching the deals in plain sight while they're rummaging through Goodwills or our shitty local flea market for the chance of finding a $15 game for a few bucks.


On another note I don't collect retro as much as I used to, so I buy a lot of newer games which Gamestop is good for. I also buy games on ebay a decent amount.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: kamikazekeeg on November 09, 2018, 04:46:20 pm
I get my new stuff primarily at Best Buy, because my gamers club is good till 2020.  Combine that with okay game trade-ins sometime and that's how I keep up with new stuff.  Old stuff, when I'm looking, is usually thrift shops.  Don't go hunting much these days since I don't have extra cash for it.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: aliensstudios on November 09, 2018, 07:03:04 pm
A good chunk of my stuff comes from 2nd & Charles lately. I was getting new games from Amazon until they discontinued their 20% Prime discount for pre-order,. eBay is always trusty too as probably half of my collection came from winning various auctions or lots on the site. I always try to win auctions on eBay and rarely go the Buy it Now route since auctions seem to better reflect the price it's worth.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: oldgamerz on November 09, 2018, 07:37:18 pm
I bought a ton of stuff from
www.JJgames.com online, all retro video games.
I've also bought some at a local indoor all year round flea market where I live.

a few were purchased from
www.amazon.com

I never used ebay for anything

HINT: if you shop for anything on JJgames you need to know, that you might have better luck at first choosing a console and then. clicking on see all items that way, it tells you the condition the item your purchasing off bat. and you usually can snag a better deal that way. Rather then looking through game genres
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: hoshichiri on November 10, 2018, 12:51:56 pm
Anywhere I can, dudes!

Seriously, it's not terribly uncommon for me to eye around for games in a general sense most places I go. I've been out with friends in an unfamiliar area & googled 'videogames' just to see if there's a shop around- my area has a high concentration of 'nerdom', so I usually get a hit. Plus, anyplace that deals in secondhand anything is fair game- thrift stores, antique stores, yard sales, estate sales, pawn shops, consignment- I've found games in damn near all of them!

I do tend to focus on a few places, though- there's a shop called Game Lobster within walking distance of work. It's dirty, it's disorganized, they don't screen for bootlegs & prices are typically on the low-end of eBay's Buy it Now listings... but, they'll let you inspect anything & test whatever they can before you pay, so there's actually a fair amount of confidence in getting working gear from them. Plus, they sell EVERYTHING, so it's great for obscure systems. I got my Channel F from them. I also stop into a Human Society Thrift store just down the street all the time- I don't often find gaming stuff I want there, but when it does turn up the deals are good- $5 for a PS2 slim? I can do that!

Honestly, though? I mostly use Ebay & Amazon these days. It's not that my local places are bad- I've simply reached a point where most of what I'm after is pretty uncommon, so I'm just not likely to find it in the wild at all. It may cost more than a lucky hit in a local shop, but it helps keep me focused on the titles I really want, as opposed to 'well this is here, it looks interesting, so I guess I'll get it."


As for modern games- usually Amazon or Gamestop. For the rare times I buy something brand new, they tend to offer some sort of perk for doing so (be it a pre-order bonus or discount). For modern games bought secondhand, Gamestop is actually very useful for me. There's a lot of titles for last-gen that are half the price of Ebay… assuming you can find one in store. Well, given the geeky density of my area, there's a lot of Gamestops. A LOT. A quick search on their locator has 19 stores within 15 miles of my home. Not surprisingly, I can usually pop onto the website, search local inventories, find a game, and either run down or call to see if it's in a condition I want to buy it in. Pretty handy, really.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: dashv on November 10, 2018, 06:56:06 pm
Anywhere I can, dudes!

Seriously, it's not terribly uncommon for me to eye around for games in a general sense most places I go. I've been out with friends in an unfamiliar area & googled 'videogames' just to see if there's a shop around- my area has a high concentration of 'nerdom', so I usually get a hit. Plus, anyplace that deals in secondhand anything is fair game- thrift stores, antique stores, yard sales, estate sales, pawn shops, consignment- I've found games in damn near all of them!

^ This is me too.

As far as regular haunts...


I love finding local shops when I am away from home. Sometimes the places are a total dive and/or the prices are crazy.

But now and then I find a true gem with great employees, good selection/presentation, and reasonable prices.

Level UP in Santa Cruz is a good example.

Up until about a year ago I used to do Savers and Goodwill runs regularly (sometimes as often as 4 times a week!) But here in the Bay Area the traffic means my entire night after work is basically done. Also I was coming home with lots of random stuff that I arguably do not nead (like 3 progressive scan Super VHS editing decks, an 8mm reel projector, iCade mini blu tooth arcade cabinet, 10+ original xboxes, a 37 inch CRT tv, Numerous game guides. 2 Super Cobra lightguns that work with PS1,PS2, and Sega Saturn.

Actually the more I think of it I need to start thrift shopping again.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: shfan on November 10, 2018, 07:09:18 pm
^ This is me too.

Ditto, although it's very rare to find something I actually want to keep, buying cheap secondhand items to trade-in is how I get most of my games and devices. Occasionally I get something new, but it tends to be Limited Run or something which I would struggle to trade for.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: ferraroso on November 10, 2018, 09:12:00 pm
I buy most of my stuff at shops like Book Off and (mostly) Hard Off.
Apart from that, I love to just go out driving and finding new thrift shops (or "recycle shops", as they are called around here) I didn't know existed. Last Wednesday, for example, I was able to score Sexy Parodius for the Saturn for ¥100 at a shop I had never noticed before.

Apart from that, once in a while I also find some good deals at the Fammys, Otakara Souko, A-2 and Takarajima stores.
And when I REALLY want something and cannot find it for cheap anywhere else, I can (almost) always turn to Yahoo! Auctions.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: chrismb on November 11, 2018, 04:36:28 am
Mostly amazon, ebay too but only for retro stuff.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: armani on November 11, 2018, 01:29:13 pm
eBay, but I snag if it's real cheap. Also Amazon, because there's booksellers that sell big box PC games real cheap (hell, I got a boxed original System Shock for $29 on Amazon from a book seller). I don't know how anyone can find good finds in thrift stores and stuff irl, I've never been able to.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: armani on November 11, 2018, 01:36:19 pm
Primarily thrift for me. Really it is the only good way to get PC games. I was very sad the day Gamestop (or was it EB back then?) announced they would stop selling used PC games.
You find PC games in thrift stores? Only cool thing I've seen was an old Photoshop Elements copy in a big box. I don't even see just the CDs. :(
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: dashv on November 11, 2018, 02:44:12 pm
Primarily thrift for me. Really it is the only good way to get PC games. I was very sad the day Gamestop (or was it EB back then?) announced they would stop selling used PC games.
You find PC games in thrift stores? Only cool thing I've seen was an old Photoshop Elements copy in a big box. I don't even see just the CDs. :(

I'm always wary of getting PC games second hand. Never know if there is PC breaking copy protection or if the max number of activations has been met.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: telly on November 12, 2018, 07:55:27 am
Mine is probably
30% Local game stores
20% Gamestop
20% Thrift stores
10% Limited Run Games
10% Ebay
10% Other VGC users
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: kamikazekeeg on November 12, 2018, 08:04:10 am
I've actually found more than a few boxed PC games at the thrift store.  I found a big box Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun and Battlefield Vietnam before.  Thrift shops are also where I picked up boxed versions of most of the older Battlefield games and World of Warcraft games.  Found other stuff here and there also like older Call of Duty and such.  I haven't gone hunting in awhile, but I really should just for that.  I love PC game hunting, because most of the time it's real cheap and as long as the stuff isn't trash.  Less competitive than console gaming stuff too since most of the stuff is unusable or unplayable.  Most of the time it's purely for the box art.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: tripredacus on November 12, 2018, 10:49:45 am
Primarily thrift for me. Really it is the only good way to get PC games. I was very sad the day Gamestop (or was it EB back then?) announced they would stop selling used PC games.
You find PC games in thrift stores? Only cool thing I've seen was an old Photoshop Elements copy in a big box. I don't even see just the CDs. :(

Games in box is fairly uncommon to find, often will find software. No big deal for me, I'll buy old software too! Nothing too crazy, I'd like to try to not get mixed up with Corel Workperfect box variants if I can help it.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: armani on November 12, 2018, 04:36:09 pm
I've actually found more than a few boxed PC games at the thrift store.  I found a big box Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun and Battlefield Vietnam before.  Thrift shops are also where I picked up boxed versions of most of the older Battlefield games and World of Warcraft games.  Found other stuff here and there also like older Call of Duty and such.  I haven't gone hunting in awhile, but I really should just for that.  I love PC game hunting, because most of the time it's real cheap and as long as the stuff isn't trash.  Less competitive than console gaming stuff too since most of the stuff is unusable or unplayable.  Most of the time it's purely for the box art.
HOLD UP

A BIG BOX Battlefield Vietnam? I want to see this, I love later big box releases.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: kashell on November 13, 2018, 10:24:39 am
For new releases, it's either Amazon or Game Stop. For everything else, it's used media stores with a touch of eBay. Throw in the yearly convention and that's about it.

Unfortunately, one used media store that I used to love in the Cleveland, OH area has really gone down hill. Not only have their staff members gotten more surly over the years, but now you are subject to a "restocking fee" when you try to return something that you don't want. You only get a refund if it's defective.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: telly on November 13, 2018, 10:47:33 am
Yeah my used game store won't let me do any refunds, even if  it was for store credit. Found that out recently when I tried to return an item I purchased for this years SS. I could only exchange it for a different item, which is why you see Wild Arms 3 in my collection :P
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: kashell on November 13, 2018, 02:21:35 pm
All's well that ends well. Wild Arms 3 is fabulous!
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: telly on November 13, 2018, 03:09:13 pm
True :)

I just have so many games to play x(
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: wartoy on November 14, 2018, 05:56:02 pm
Local retro game stores.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: mike24rules on November 15, 2018, 06:16:18 am
living in such a small town and its considered a retirement community. So the options here are non existant all i have is a gamestop and a local store called video game exchange but that is a pain and a half to get to
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: hoshichiri on November 15, 2018, 11:25:16 am
Unfortunately, one used media store that I used to love in the Cleveland, OH area has really gone down hill. Not only have their staff members gotten more surly over the years, but now you are subject to a "restocking fee" when you try to return something that you don't want. You only get a refund if it's defective.

While I certainly can't advocate for the surly, I'm gonna go the unpopular route and support the 'restocking fee'.

People can be phenomenally flaky when it comes to their purchases- and terribly dishonest.  I have people change their minds and do returns without ever leaving the counter. I have people try to return a pile of empty bottles & used paints becuase their DIY didn't turn out like they expected. I have people return multiple pillows, quilts, and appliances becuase they bought multiples of each, used them for a month, decide they 'don't like them' & come to return hundreds of dollars of stained, pet hair riddled, smoky smelling unsellable trash. I've seen my stores go from completely open return policies to severely restricted ones with short time limits due to the above. And this isn't even getting into the out & out abuse- when the policy was still open, we had people bring back items 5 and 10 years old becuase they had worn them out with use. We still have people take items back to the wrong department on purpose, becuase they aren't in a returnable condition & they're hoping to find someone unfamiliar with the return policy for the area.


I can only imagine the kind of crap that gets pulled on a game store- saying it's 'broken' becuase you beat the game within the return window, or realized you only needed a few minutes of play before your nostalgia wore off, trying to swap out your broken copies for their working ones, etc. And that's ignoring the people who buy a game impulsively, decide they don't like it, and expect a full refund. It sucks that it has to be that way- I imagine most people here are perfectly pleasant customers- but sadly there's enough bad apples that they have to ruin it for everyone.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: kashell on November 15, 2018, 11:47:13 am
Unfortunately, one used media store that I used to love in the Cleveland, OH area has really gone down hill. Not only have their staff members gotten more surly over the years, but now you are subject to a "restocking fee" when you try to return something that you don't want. You only get a refund if it's defective.

While I certainly can't advocate for the surly, I'm gonna go the unpopular route and support the 'restocking fee'.

People can be phenomenally flaky when it comes to their purchases- and terribly dishonest.  I have people change their minds and do returns without ever leaving the counter. I have people try to return a pile of empty bottles & used paints becuase their DIY didn't turn out like they expected. I have people return multiple pillows, quilts, and appliances becuase they bought multiples of each, used them for a month, decide they 'don't like them' & come to return hundreds of dollars of stained, pet hair riddled, smoky smelling unsellable trash. I've seen my stores go from completely open return policies to severely restricted ones with short time limits due to the above. And this isn't even getting into the out & out abuse- when the policy was still open, we had people bring back items 5 and 10 years old becuase they had worn them out with use. We still have people take items back to the wrong department on purpose, becuase they aren't in a returnable condition & they're hoping to find someone unfamiliar with the return policy for the area.


I can only imagine the kind of crap that gets pulled on a game store- saying it's 'broken' becuase you beat the game within the return window, or realized you only needed a few minutes of play before your nostalgia wore off, trying to swap out your broken copies for their working ones, etc. And that's ignoring the people who buy a game impulsively, decide they don't like it, and expect a full refund. It sucks that it has to be that way- I imagine most people here are perfectly pleasant customers- but sadly there's enough bad apples that they have to ruin it for everyone.

I think I have an idea where you work. Or, at least the type of store. It doesn't sound pleasant. For something that got used heavily, I'm surprised they even take the time to charge the fee and give them some of their money back. Wouldn't it be better for the store to just say they can't accept the returns? Is is in the fine print of the receipt?

For used video games, I think it's silly. People are allowed to change their minds and decide that they don't want something for whatever reason (already owns it, don't want it, got the wrong game, etc). These stores I'm talking about aren't hurting for inventory or business; they can afford to give a refund.

Of course, there will always be the exception - the game is returned with something missing, the case is cracked, the game is scratched, etc. But in that case, the return shouldn't even be considered by the employees.

I throw shade at Game Stop often, but they've never had an issue taking a return. I actually returned something the same day when I realized that one of the games didn't have an instruction manual (this was years ago, note) and the employee understood completely.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: PaleManInBlack on November 15, 2018, 03:12:27 pm
Ebay, Amazon UK, GAME, CEX and G-Force (a small independent shop in my city)
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: oldgamerz on January 18, 2020, 09:38:40 pm
Mostly from a local Disc Replay as lately, I bought a Refurbished PlayStation 3 slim from GameStop in late 2019 it was cheap about $125 USD or less and I got a 320 gigabyte hardrive in it. their was only one employee and it was an old family friend working the register, she was vary nice and helpfull. nobody else was there when I came and went, no customers

A giant bulk of my collection came from JJgames online store (said earlier) when they had better condition stock for less in 2015-2018

Few of my games came from various sellers in a year around indoor flea market I can count 1 beat up game in my collection I got in 2019 from a Salvation Army location for ,50 cents.

I seem to be lucky to live in an area where physical media is not dying, they even sell DVD's and Vinyl records at my local Kroger

vary few games were purchased off amazon, one was Halo 2 for xbox. but it was beat up.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: Warmsignal on January 20, 2020, 01:43:28 pm
In terms of modern games, I have a strict policy where I only buy brand new (sealed that is, but not full price), or near mint used if I have no other option.

For me, the number one place for modern lately would be Walmart. Discounted and clearance priced copies are often found at their stores. Second to that GameStop, when they have an un-gutted copy available.  If the above two fail, I turn to eBay to see if anyone is selling a new copy of a game there for a better price. Fourth option would be Best Buy, as they do on occasion actually have the "best buy" on select titles now and again. After that, I will resort to Amazon. Not fond of their service, but their prices are always competitive and stock is most reliable of any. Lastly Target, as they will occasionally have a random sale, or a better price, but I usually can't count on it.

For retro, it's about 50-50 eBay, and the one and only local retro-game shop in my town which has a massive selection.

That's pretty much where everything I get comes from.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: doafan on January 20, 2020, 02:39:59 pm
I started with Amazon, then migrated to Mercado Libre and then at eBay, am still using these last two, gonna start to give a try to First cash, have heard from a lot a friends that they got some good prices.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: kamikazekeeg on January 20, 2020, 05:36:08 pm
I originally had Best Buy, but now that my Gamers Club is gone, I might be going to Walmart.  They seem to be doing 10 dollars less on new games (Maybe not all, but DBZ: Kakarot was only 50 bucks), so I'll probably go there most of the time.  Otherwise it might just depend on pre-order bonuses for Gamestop or Best Buy on other games.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: droaa on January 20, 2020, 05:48:57 pm
Up until the end of Best Buy's GCU, this was my go to place for new games. Nowadays, its a combination of Amazon, Ebay, Gamestop, this one pawn shop I've going to for years and local game stores in my area. Keep in mind though that my buying habits have subsided so right now, the only thing I have on top is pre-orders I have done from Amazon. Other than maybe a random game or so that I find, I am not buying a bunch of games on a whim like I used to. 
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: wolff242 on January 21, 2020, 11:23:04 pm
These last 2 post make me sad. I have 9 weeks left on my GCU sub. After that, I doubt I'll buy much outside of the occasional clearance game. I may actually do some preorders at the very end, since as long as I order while a member of GCU I'll still get the price...depends on if I think the "extras" are worth it.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: droaa on January 22, 2020, 12:46:11 am
These last 2 post make me sad. I have 9 weeks left on my GCU sub. After that, I doubt I'll buy much outside of the occasional clearance game. I may actually do some preorders at the very end, since as long as I order while a member of GCU I'll still get the price...depends on if I think the "extras" are worth it.

The last game I bought using GCU was Resident Evil 2 Deluxe Edition on PS4. I went for it mainly because after GCU, it was the price of the standard edition without it so go for it.
Title: Re: Where do you get your games?
Post by: pzeke on January 27, 2020, 09:37:15 am
Just eBay and Walmart. Before that it used to be Amazon and Game Quest Direct, and GameStop on rare ocassions. I've yet to try Best Buy or Target, but they're relatively far from where I live, so I don't bother.