Retro Video Game Collecting 101

Ask! Ask! Ask!

Because you never know who has old video games, you have to ask, and ask a lot. Ask everyone. Some of the greatest deals I’ve ever had were made by asking random people. For example, I once worked with an older gentleman. Now, this gentleman did not look like a gamer in any sense of the word. He was a chain-smoking, sixty-year-old hippie. As it turns out, this old man had some real gems. The games were in mint condition, in some instances still sealed. This was also where I got my second working Model 1 Sega CD. If you don’t know, the original Sega CD unit is relatively rare, but extremely rare in working condition. I can’t stress how important it is to just ask, especially at garage sales. People often don’t think about that box of video games stashed in the attic. Many older folks still have stashes of their kids’ old video games. Networking is also important. Share your interests with anyone and everyone.  You never know where it will lead. Befriend other local collectors. If you look out for their interests, they’ll often look out for yours. This brings me to my final point for today.

Competition is tough.

It doesn’t matter where you live, other collectors in your area are already entrenched. You can try to beat them, but you’re unlikely to get the upper hand. They know where the action is. Pay close attention to them. Know your enemy. In some cases, if you can’t beat them, join them. Offer to to garage sale hunting with them. You can learn a lot this way. How tough can it be? I’ve seen collectors post fake garage sale ads to lure other area collectors away from the real deals. No matter how desperate you may become, I implore you, please don’t engage in such behavior. Honesty will serve you well in this hobby. Word travels fast, and dishonesty will eventually lead to missed opportunities. There’s a fine line between a great deal and taking advantage of others.

Remember, patience is a virtue.  With a lot of leg work and a little ingenuity, you’ll find that one perfect score.  The hunt is half the fun!

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