Used Video Games

Buying a used video game can be frightening. What did the previous user do to the game? Will you open the box only to find teeth marks on the disc? Some risks can be involved, but most of the time buying used video games is the way to go if you want to save money.

Condition

Sellers often use certain keywords to let you know what condition the game is in. Always buy the best you can find!

• Like New - Like new games are used video games that have been opened and played very lightly. In most cases, these games were played once or twice by an adult player. Sometimes the game was opened but never even played! Like New games are usually quite close to the new price, but the savings adds up over time.

• Good - Good condition used games have been played more than Like New games but are still in great condition. These often include the box and instruction manual, a sure sign the previous owner took good care of the game. This is the most common condition of game and, in most cases, you can buy with confidence. Expect at least a $5 to $10 savings off the store sticker.

• Acceptable - These games have usually been tested and will work in your system. They rarely come with the box or instruction manual and may have scuff marks, light scratches or other superficial wounds that won't affect play. You might be taking a slight risk when buying these games, but the deep discounts of $15, $20 or even more are often too tempting to pass.

Where To Buy

There are many sources of used video games on the internet and in your town.

Retail Stores - Video game and electronics stores such as Best Buy, EB Games and Fry's often have a large selection of used video games. Prices will be good and games will usually be in top condition. The advantage of seeing the game before you buy it is obvious, as you can inspect the disc/cart for damage. Walking into a store also saves you a few dollars for shipping.

Auction Sites - eBay is by far the largest and best auction site for buying used video games. If you check often you'll come across some amazing deals. Keep a close watch on "ending soon" and "just listed" items and grab the great deals before anyone else can!

Online Retailers - EB Games and GameSpot both have used game categories at their online stores. Shop around and look for deals. Also, Amazon.com and Half.com are two very reliable sources for used video games.

Miscellaneous Sources - Drive or walk around your neighborhood and look for yard sales. Sometimes you'll get great deals. Pawn shops can, ironically, be a great source for games at very low prices. You can also check out local classifieds sites, like Craigslist.

Caring For Your Used Video Game

Whether you want to sell your used games or keep your purchases in good shape, a few simple tips will extend your video games' life enormously.

• Always keep games in cases.
• Purchase a disc/cartridge cleaner for your system. It may seem like a frivolous thing, but in the long-run it saves you money.
• Don't leave games laying around in piles. Organizers and shelves keep your games looking neat and out of harm's way.
• Avoid "blowing" on the connectors in your old cartridge games. While this may seem to help, it also increases moisture around the delicate electronics. Instead, use a hair dryer set to the coldest temperature possible (do not use if the air is even a little warm) or purchase canned air at a computer supply store.
• Pets and young children do not mix well with video games. If you have younger siblings or small children of your own, always supervise the use of video games.