What to do with old game consoles

momto3pirates

DIS Veteran
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Apr 28, 2009
Messages
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We are in the process of moving to a much smaller house. In the process of packing came across 2 old xbox consoles and a ps2. What do I do with these? Sell them for parts? Will Game Stop take them for in-store credit? Garage sale? I don't think there is much value there but don't want them sitting in landfill either.
 
I have seen several people looking for them on different facebook yardsales, so you might try there. I know my DS just bought an old game cube because he wanted to play some old game on it that you could only play on a game cube. I have no idea which one it is because right now they are all over my family room floor making a mess!
 
There might be an independent retro game store in your area that will buy them, I know there are several in the Detroit area now. Craigslist is good, people like me are always looking for more to add to their collection.
 

I've sold consoles/games/accessories at yardsales, but now I take them to the big kid's consignment sale in my area. I can get a lot more for them there and they are hot sellers. People are always looking for retro systems, cheap 'starter' systems, or ones to replace their own that broke.
 
Take them to a pawn shop. You will be surprised how much you may get. My DD17 took and old iPod and Nintendo DS and got $85.
 
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Sadly, if you are talking original Xbox (pre-360), Gamestop will give you next to nothing for them, likewise with the PS2.

Best bet would be private sale if you can arrange it. Collectors will give you more than the 10 bucks or whatever Gamestop or their ilk would, at least I know people like my friends or I would.
 
Sadly Wii, xbox and PS2 are older systems but not quite so old that there is a huge demand like there is for N64, SNES and NES. I have seen lots of people on yard sale websites looking for them so I would give that a shot.
 
While we were in a Game Stop store, ds18, then around 12 or 13, inquired about selling back an old console. I forget which one it was. Maybe Game Cube. The clerk told him that officially GS no longer buys back that particular game but if ds was willing to sell, the clerk would personally buy it from him.

I could see ds raise his eyebrows and suddenly the wheels started turning. :idea: It got him thinking this old system that he originally thought was "old junk," simply because it wasn't the latest & greatest, was actually valuable. He has always saved every game console and this was the first time he considered selling.

We still have an old SNES with Super Mario World that we've had since dh & I were first dating in the early 90s. It was ds18's first game ever so he still plays it now and then for the nostalgia of it. :cloud9:

So my long-winded point is that it couldn't hurt to ask the clerks in Game Stop if they personally know anyone looking to buy an old console. It's the gamer in them that led them to that job and chances are their friends are the same.
 
It all depends on what you have. Ps2 slim goes for more then the original bulky one, as well as Xbox 360 goes for more then the older version. Do you have anything to go with the systems? Listing them as a bundle will fetch more $$$ and more interest from buyers. Check Ebay for what they're selling for, I currently have a Red Super Mario Bros. Wii console bundle going on Ebay that's at $72.00 right now with just over a day left to the auction. I started it low at $49.99 and let them fight it out..lol! Don't forget that free shipping is the key to getting more bids. I would not take it to a pawn shop, sell it on Amazon, sell it on Craigs List, yardsale or Gamestop...you will def. get more on Ebay.

HTH!
 
I sold an old console on Kijiji (not sure if that's popular in the States?? Similar to Craigslist), for a hundred dollars.

You'd be surprised how much some old consoles are worth to the right people.

Perhaps research how much they're going for then try to sell locally online?
 
Thank you all so much for ideas. I am going to dig around and find all the "stuff" to go with them.
 
Sell them on ebay.

Only if the OP has sold on eBay and understands how it is now. Now all a buyer has to do is claim an item isn't as described and they get a shipping label to send the item back (cost charged to the seller). They can send a different (broken) item back and the seller can't do anything. I used to say ebay was the place to go, but I wouldn't recommend it now unless you really know what you are doing.
 
Only if the OP has sold on eBay and understands how it is now. Now all a buyer has to do is claim an item isn't as described and they get a shipping label to send the item back (cost charged to the seller). They can send a different (broken) item back and the seller can't do anything. I used to say ebay was the place to go, but I wouldn't recommend it now unless you really know what you are doing.

I understand what you're saying BUT these are VERY rare occasions...most buyers are honest but I agree there are some that are not. I've not had a problem in the geeezzz 14 years I've been selling on Ebay, so I will close with YMMV ( your mileage may vary ).

OP: If you'd like for me to PM you my auction links, I will gladly...so you can see how I list things on Ebay :)
 
I would take it if it were a Wii. Our sensor stopped working (something in the console), and we threw it out. Still have the games, and I loved Wii Bowling and Golf.
 












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