Used Video Game System

Buying a Used Video Game System

Buying an old system can be a difficult experience, because it's hard to tell what sort of condition a particular machine is in. This is especially true if you meet up with someone you met online or via eBay, because it does not give you an opportunity to test out the console before buying. This is critical. Video game systems, whether it's a new Xbox 360 or an ancient Sega Genesis, are delicate pieces of machinery.

Just because it "looks okay" from the outside doesn't mean that it will work properly. This is an especially disconcerting concern when it comes to older machines. This is why you should always try before you buy. Where you can find more solace is when you buy from a certified dealer. If they offer some sort of money-back guarantee, even if it's for only 30 days, this can be great for your peace of mind.

The biggest appeal of a used system is the fact that you can buy it for considerably less than retail. For example, you can sometimes find a used PS2 or Nintendo Gamecube for half the retail price of a new unit. Used video game consoles are also the only way to go if you're looking for a collector's item that is no longer being produced.

A Discount or a Premium?

That's why it's sometimes unclear whether the system comes at a discount or a premium. If a Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) goes up for sale on eBay, assuming it still works, it can usually fetch a decent amount of money. This starts to skyrocket if the auction includes some rare games that are difficult to find elsewhere. By contrast, more recent "old" consoles can be had for quite cheap. These include the Xbox and Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP.

Where you'll start to see a real premium are consoles that weren't popular during their time, and thus, not very units were produced worldwide. This would include systems like the Atari Jaguar and the 3DO, particularly because they had very high retail prices to start with. As such, if you went shopping for one of these rare video games today, it would probably be expensive.

Where to Find Old Video Game Consoles

There are many places that you can consider when looking for some old video game systems. Here are just a few to get you started.

• eBay: The world's largest garage sale, eBay, spans the entire globe. Here, you can get your hands on machines that might not have even been available in your region in the first place. North American gamers can grab Japanese Famicoms, for example. However, there are many things to be wary of--working condition, cosmetic condition, shipping costs, insurance, brokerage/customs fees, and seller feedback.

• Craigslist: Craigslist works much like eBay, except there is no buyer/seller feedback and there are no posting fees. The good thing is that the site is organized by geographic region so it is easier to find a seller who is your area. The downside is that it is difficult to determine the seller's reliability. After all, you have no way of knowing whether or not they are trustworthy. This is why it is best to test out the machine first, but this can sometimes be difficult.

• Retail stores: Certain retail locations buy and sell used games and these places also buy and sell used video game systems. EB Games and Gamestop are particularly well known for this service. While they may be some of the more reliable machines (retailers usually test the consoles before buying the used ones off of customers), these used video game systems are also among the most expensive.