New game titles release monthly in today’s dynamic gaming industry, and previously released titles can experience significant shifts in value. Whether you’re a casual player or a serious collector, understanding the video game trade process is essential if you want to save money or earn extra income. Knowing when and how to trade or sell your games is a powerful skill that can protect you from undervalued exchanges. This guide shares key video game trade tips every gamer should know to avoid losses and maximize value—crucial knowledge for anyone active in the game trade market.
Conduct Thorough Research for Trading
Gather as much material as possible for trading. Make sure you understand its trading value. Within the gaming industry, it is best to obtain information through forums in which trade is possible. Trading information in forums is trusted a lot in the gaming market, as it is an industry which changes its value with the release of games or their trading value. The following forums are best for trading games:
- Gamestop trade in estimator
- eBay
- Reddit forums game sale and swap
- Pricecharting for older games
Using the forums which one is most comfortable is best for users. In the forums, users are suggested and offered better prices in return for correct information.
Maintain High Standards of Game Care
Disadvantaged games and items in the trading market have been selling items at a lower price, as games with better conditioned in the trading market always sell for a better price. In order to keep trading value best, situations without the cooperation of better value are possible to sustain. Some of the steps to adequately keep gaming items free and at their best are:
- Maintain cases with proper covers
- Offer game art and all items which leads to lower prices.
- Keeping better items always lead to better price and collection which disables the concern of the lower money price.
Sell Online for Better Financial Returns
While using a game store is easy and convenient, you will almost always receive a far lower amount than what your game is actually worth. If you are looking to maximize your returns, selling or trading your games through peer-to-peer platforms is a better option. Some of these platforms include:
– eBay
– Mercari
– Facebook Marketplace
– OfferUp
– Local gaming groups
While these platforms may take a bit more time than a quick trade at a store, they are far more profitable. In fact, you can receive double to triple the price on these platforms than a store would give you.
When to Not Sell Your Games
Game selling and trading is highly influenced by the time of the year. However, if you plan properly, you can take the opportunity to maximize your returns during these trading windows. For example:
– Trade sports games right before the yearly updates
– Sell off popular titles shortly after launch
– Hold on to titles that are likely to become rare or collectible
– Look out for remasters or sequels to titles that spark interest back to the originals
Be strategic and plan ahead to get the best deals by selling at the right time.
Maximize Store Promotions and Bonuses
Stores like GameStop and Best Buy give out Bonus trade-in credits during special promotional periods to members of their loyalty program. During these promotional periods, game stores will offer 10 to 50 percent bonus credits to your trade-in amount.
– Preorder specific games and get bonus trade-in credit
– Tiered loyalty program bonus for trading in select titles
– Tiered program for trading in specific loyalty titles which always have bonus credits.
For loyal customers of these stores, using these credit perks offers a smart trade.
Bundling Games for Enhanced Profit Potential
Bundling offers smarter marketing and sales opportunities. Properly configured bundles can:
- Capture attention
- Bring in additional revenue
- Achieve smarter sales
- Maintain purchase value
- Focus on consoles or genres
- Capitalize on name recognition alongside lesser titles
- Provide a measurable discount off individual prices
Example titles:
- PS4 Action Bundle: Uncharted 4, The Last of Us, and God of War
- Retro SNES RPG Pack: Final Fantasy III, EarthBound, and Chrono Trigger.
Bundling allows marketers to add name recognition alongside lesser titles to achieve a better overall value.
Other opportunities to garner value from digital content include:
- Selling unused digital codes from bundles or other giveaways
- Exchanging gift cards for game codes
- Using specialized forums on the likes of reddit like r/gamesale for digital key exchanges
- While restrictions legally exist on the exchange of digital content, ensure all platform terms are observed, especially on Steam and Xbox live.
Dealing in the purchase of a physical CD or game can expose an individual to scammers and dishonest buyers.
- Stick to verified platforms with user ratings.
- Meet in public places when trading locally.
- Only ship after verified payment or trade.
- Never accept “too good to be true offers.”
Always trust your gut, and if the trade appears to be dubious, walk away.Monitor Your Inventory and Trade Activity
If you trade frequently, maintain a record of your collection with these tools:
- CLZ Games
Gameye
A basic spreadsheet
Tracking your trades helps you remember your transactions and appreciate their value. Additionally, tracking is beneficial for insurance policies and resale.
Last Thoughts
If you trade video games, you can fund your next gaming adventure—provided you trade wisely. Through research, careful collection management, picking the right marketplace, and impeccable timing, you can maximize value for every game you trade.
Don’t let your old titles gather dust. Instead, turn them into cash or credit for your next favorite release. Follow the tips above, and you’ll be a pro in no time.
