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Is Trading In Used Consoles Worth It?
DataportJunkie writes "Most people choose to trade in their used game consoles when a newer one comes out to save a few bucks, but this editorial at Gaming Horizon suggests that you just hang onto them. 'Stores typically only make $1 or $2 when you pick up a new console from them, but when they give you $70 for your used PlayStation 2 and sell it for $95, they just made themselves an easy $25.' The author recommends using eBay or donating your used consoles to hospitals if you need to get rid of a system."
First, when you get a next generation console, it might not be able to play the games from the previous generation (e.g. Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, and possible the Xbox 360).
Additionally, some (like the PS3 is rumored to be) will not accept the memory storage devices from previous generations. Keep that PS2 around for PS2 games you've sunk a lot of time into but haven't finished.
Also, old games can be a lot of fun again after you haven't played them in years. I have a blast playing football (Tecmo Super Bowl) against my friends on SNES. The 2D platformers on the system are awesome as well.
Old games and systems can be worth a lot of money after a long time. I have in my possesion a copy of Chrono Trigger for SNES that I managed to find in a pawn shop for $5. I've seen the game for ten times that on Ebay. I wonder how much a pong machine or other really old hardware would fetch.
You can let your young children play the games. Granted that children are pretty sophisticated nowdays, but at young ages a simple NES controller and game will be easiest for them. I'm guessing a four or five year old can handle Mario better than Marion Sunshine.
There's probably more reasons for hanging on to a console after you're done with it. I traded in my GBA when I got a DS. It made it a little cheaper, but in hindsight I wish I would've kept my GBA. If you really must sell a console, sell it directly to someone else. You could sell that PS2 for $10 more than the game store would give you and your friend could get it cheaper than what the store would charge him. Better deal. Donating it to a hospital is also a good idea. As I recall the guys at Penny Arcade have been doing something similar to this and it's been working well.
I personally have never gotten rid of any console I've had, from the Atari to the Virtual Boy (bleh) to my PS2. I tend to have tons of fun replaying the old games.
However, my friends aren't as packrat-ish as I am. Instead of using ebay or funcoland/gamestop, they use Craigslist. It eliminates the middleman and let's you put your stuff out there at a better price.
funcoland offers $70 for that ps2? ask for $80 on craigslist. you'll probably get it.
Well, the article suggests that it can be worth even more on ebay.
And how much is your time worth?
Unless you're a pro seller using pro tools (which cost money in themselves), it takes about an hour or so, all told, to set up an auction. That includes taking and editing photos (even the crappy photos you see on Ebay had to be shot and then looked at before uploading), and writing and uploading the text to accompany the auction.
Then once you've "sold" your console, you have to go back and forth with the seller about payment, shipping, etc. - and that's assuming your buyer isn't a deadbeat. Hopefully you'll get your money in 1-2 weeks, then you've got to pack up a box and trek down to the post office to mail it off.
All told you're looking at several weeks of waiting and at least 2-3 hours of actual work. Is that worth $25 to you? Maybe, but it wouldn't be to me.
(I do sell things on Ebay pretty often, but not when I have a local selling alternative.)
I like the idea of giving the old systems to the hospitals... Not only do you make some hurt or sick people a little more comfortable, but you might also get a tax write-off at the same time.
Except for one little thing; hospitals can't use your old consoles. Take a look at your controller. Go on, look at it. Notice the chee-to stains? When you see that, think "bacteria."
The Penny Arcade guys found out as research for their Child's Play campaign that if the console/toy/etc isn't factory sealed, the hospital doesn't want it. It's just more trouble than it's worth to them.
I call b.s. on these figures, that seems ridiculously low. Can anyone who works in retail verify them?
Again, I think the figures are off-- I don't think there are many stores that will pay $70 for a used PS2 or X-Box, maybe a few years ago but not now.
Either way, a markup of roughly 1/4 is a litle high, but hardly a ripoff. That "easy 25%" is keeping them in business.
eBay is no picnic. You have to pay to list, take pictures of the console, and wait roughly a week for the bids to roll in. Then, assuming the buyer didn't jack you around, you have to box and ship the item (or charge the buyer more to have it done for you.) Not to mention, if you don't have a decent history (like 20+ transactions) your auction will be passed over for the dozens of others also selling consoles that day.
So unless you're already an ebay seller, I'd take the easy $70 right now over a potential $95 two weeks (and a few hassles) later. Then again, I'm not a starving college student any more, maybe that $25 is worth it to some people.
Giving to charity is of course a great thing; in addition to hospitals there are hundreds of causes-- from church youth groups to foster homes to after shool programs for underprivileged kids-- that would love your old system. But isn't this is supposedly an article about getting the most bang for your buck? Way to throw the guilt card in there..