Gamestop question: Trading in a DS lite?

[southern_redhead]

My kids got quite a bit of money from the family at Christmas. They are wanting to buy DSi's, which is fine, but I thought that we would look into trading in their DS lites to bring down the price...I can't really see why they would need both systems (?) I'm not sure how you go about this, though. I checked the website and it said you would need the working unit/stylus/charger. It didn't mention the box - do we need to take it? Do I also need to call ahead to see if they are accepting trade ins? Is that something they do all the time or only occasionally? Also, how much do they usually/typically give on the trade in? I read $40 to $45 in a google search but the links were older. I wondered if, with so many new systems coming out, the price would have dropped.

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

You don't need the box, but if you have it you might as well bring it. I don't know the going price, but you shouldn't need to call ahead - they do trades routinely.

One caution, though - the DSi does NOT play Gameboy Advance games OR the Guitar Hero game (as that uses the Advance slot for the control keys). So if your kids have Gameboy Advance games they like, they might be better off sharing one of each. That's what my kids ended up doing.

 

[IDoDis]

I looked into this several years ago when upgrading from a DS to a DS lite. I decided to sell the DS on ebay. Even though it was old technology, I got $130 for it -- almost what a brand new one costs. Check out the ebay prices before you trade it at Gamestop. You would get twice as much on ebay.

You should also be aware that the Nintendo 3DS is coming out in February. Your kids might rather have the newest version of the DS which will have 3D effects without needing 3D glasses.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

You should also be aware that the Nintendo 3DS is coming out in February. Your kids might rather have the newest version of the DS which will have 3D effects without needing 3D glasses.

If your children are under 6, you shouldn't bother with the 3DS, because Nintendo suggests that children that young should only use it in 2D mode to avoid eyesight damage.

http://ds.ign.com/articles/114/1142304p1.html

 

[shoney]

we sold ours back a while ago, so I don't know what today's price would be. You don't need the box. The serial number on the unit must be readable. One of ours came off and they would not take it back. They always take them back, but sometimes they run specials...extra 15.00 for example.

 

[darthspud]

I traded mine in just after christmas... got an IPad so I didnt really need it... I got 50 bucks for it plus if you have accessories for it that you dont need/want you cant take those as well...

They are really a great and easy company to work with I primarily purchase all my games / hardware with them... Staff is always very knowledgeable about most everything because they themselves are all gamers

 

[southern_redhead]

Thank you, the information helped a ton. I'll get their things together so they can trade them in. Anybody have any game recommendations that are specific for DSi? I know their DS games should play but wondered if there were any cool DSi specific games?

Also:

One caution, though - the DSi does NOT play Gameboy Advance games OR the Guitar Hero game (as that uses the Advance slot for the control keys). So if your kids have Gameboy Advance games they like, they might be better off sharing one of each. That's what my kids ended up doing.

Thanks, we did know that. It is why DS11 won't trade his DS in. He plays Pokemon and frequently uses his and SS's old GBA games. The other two are 7 and 8, though, and they never got into the GBA craze. DD has some MLP, Strawberry Shortcake, and such from when she was tiny but she doesn't play them anymore (hmmm maybe we should take them with us - can't be worth much but they'd be off her bookcase )

I looked into this several years ago when upgrading from a DS to a DS lite. I decided to sell the DS on ebay. Even though it was old technology, I got $130 for it -- almost what a brand new one costs. Check out the ebay prices before you trade it at Gamestop. You would get twice as much on ebay.

You should also be aware that the Nintendo 3DS is coming out in February. Your kids might rather have the newest version of the DS which will have 3D effects without needing 3D glasses.

Good point about eBay. You never know when something will net you a big bid Glad it worked so well for you!

I considered the 3DS but, ultimately, I might get one for DS11's bday but probably not for the little ones. As I mentioned above they are still pretty little and DS7 has some eye issues. He gets migraines sometimes with 3D movies so I'm not sure how the 3DS would affect him.

 

[torinsmom]

Check the completed listings of similar items on ebay. You can get at least twice what GS will give you for a trade-in. I sold an old version PSP with a BROKEN SCREEN on there for $81, when a new one is only $130.

 

[Ephany]

We traded in 2 right before Christmas. They were running an extra $20 promotion so we got $55 for each DS instead of $35. They required the DS in good working condition, the charger, and a stylus for each trade-in. We also traded in a TON of old games, which actually brought in almost as much as the 2 gaming systems. The only thing is we got it all in GameStop credit, so I think we would have received less if we had chosen straight cash. DD received a DSi for Christmas and doesn't miss the DS or any of the games we traded in, so for us it's been a win-win situation.

 

[Yoshi]

I know their DS games should play but wondered if there were any cool DSi specific games?

There are only 2 or 3 games that are DSi only that won't work on a regular DS, one is called System Flaw

 

[pennymom]

double post, sorry

 

[pennymom]

We just did this. DS9 wanted a DSiXL, so we took his DSlite, stylus, charger, an extra car charger and some games he never plays to GameStop. Since we were trading in for a new system the amount they'll credit is higher. We ended up getting a DSiXL special edition for $110 after the trade in.

 

[southern_redhead]

Well, if anyone wondered how this turned out DS lites at our nearest GS net $25 ($20 if you want cash) and they have "limited time special" offering an extra $12.50 so total was $37.50. They also had a $50 GS card from an uncle so that was the main reason we traded in vs. eBaying. There weren't any games they wanted and we tend to do them at Bdays/Christmas only so they put the card towards the DSi's. Their total discount was $87.50 and I didn't have to mess with packing anything up, listing, or shipping Plus they can enjoy their new DSi's during the "blizzard" we are supposed to be getting Win-Win for me