Disclaimer: I run an independent video game store.
First: Take your games to an independent game store.
Seriously, the chains will give you squat for your non current generation stuff. Some EBs won't even take anything older than PSX games. The indpendent store will also be more willing to negotiate on price, and be able to take condition into account more than a chain. They also benefit from lower overhead which equals better prices for you.
Second: Condition is everything. Organize it before you go. Make sure everything is clean and free of 'kid grime'. Gather the right cables, controllers, etc, if you're trading in a system. Make sure the discs are in the right cases. And for crying out loud, don't Disc Doctor the games! As a matter of fact, take your disc doctor outside, swing it high over your head, and smash it on the pavement. That will ensure future generations of games will not be screwed up by that cheap gimmick.
Third: Enter with realistic expectations. Game stores are ok with a 15% margin on new stuff because they can choose what they get in. They work with a 50% margin on used stuff because they can't. Good stores will give over 50% of its resale value for an item it it's new, rare, or if they've got someone on their list bugging them for one. Old sports games aren't worth crap, unless it's soccer or NASCAR. It doesn't hurt to look at their selection first. If they already have 5 FFVII's on the shelf, you might want to keep that in the bag and trade it in at a store across town.
Fourth: Be friendly, but don't waste their time. Don't haggle over every item's price. It helps if you have a ballpark number in mind to begin with, then let them add up what they'd like to give, and compare them. You might be surprised how much you get. If the price is too low, mention what you're looking for and how much you thought your stuff was worth. If the store has a new game that's been sitting on the shelf for a few months, they'll be more willing to deal for it than on a Madden 2004 that they unpacked this morning. If there's a bunch of people in the store and only one clerk, it might be in your interest to loiter around until a quiet moment, or come back later when he's got more time. But don't be afraid to shop around. A trade in quote isn't a marriage proposal, and honesty works. "Hey, that's pretty good, but I'm going to see what Bob's Funky Electronic Jive Shack will give me for it." is fine.
Misc: Don't get peeved if they won't give quotes over the phone, especially if you've got a stack of obscure SNES games that the part-timer on the line hasn't even heard of. Also check to see if they have, or are willing to get, what you want. A small store can't roll the dice to get ten of everything that comes out, especially for the PS2. Unless you live in an area with an abnormally high Gamecube population, 'cube games are automatically worth about 10% less than their PS2 counterparts. Sad fact, but that's Adam Smith talking.
fwiw,
pdb
First: Take your games to an independent game store.
Seriously, the chains will give you squat for your non current generation stuff. Some EBs won't even take anything older than PSX games. The indpendent store will also be more willing to negotiate on price, and be able to take condition into account more than a chain. They also benefit from lower overhead which equals better prices for you.Second: Condition is everything. Organize it before you go. Make sure everything is clean and free of 'kid grime'. Gather the right cables, controllers, etc, if you're trading in a system. Make sure the discs are in the right cases. And for crying out loud, don't Disc Doctor the games! As a matter of fact, take your disc doctor outside, swing it high over your head, and smash it on the pavement. That will ensure future generations of games will not be screwed up by that cheap gimmick.
Third: Enter with realistic expectations. Game stores are ok with a 15% margin on new stuff because they can choose what they get in. They work with a 50% margin on used stuff because they can't. Good stores will give over 50% of its resale value for an item it it's new, rare, or if they've got someone on their list bugging them for one. Old sports games aren't worth crap, unless it's soccer or NASCAR. It doesn't hurt to look at their selection first. If they already have 5 FFVII's on the shelf, you might want to keep that in the bag and trade it in at a store across town.
Fourth: Be friendly, but don't waste their time. Don't haggle over every item's price. It helps if you have a ballpark number in mind to begin with, then let them add up what they'd like to give, and compare them. You might be surprised how much you get. If the price is too low, mention what you're looking for and how much you thought your stuff was worth. If the store has a new game that's been sitting on the shelf for a few months, they'll be more willing to deal for it than on a Madden 2004 that they unpacked this morning. If there's a bunch of people in the store and only one clerk, it might be in your interest to loiter around until a quiet moment, or come back later when he's got more time. But don't be afraid to shop around. A trade in quote isn't a marriage proposal, and honesty works. "Hey, that's pretty good, but I'm going to see what Bob's Funky Electronic Jive Shack will give me for it." is fine.
Misc: Don't get peeved if they won't give quotes over the phone, especially if you've got a stack of obscure SNES games that the part-timer on the line hasn't even heard of. Also check to see if they have, or are willing to get, what you want. A small store can't roll the dice to get ten of everything that comes out, especially for the PS2. Unless you live in an area with an abnormally high Gamecube population, 'cube games are automatically worth about 10% less than their PS2 counterparts. Sad fact, but that's Adam Smith talking.
fwiw,
pdb
