Stopped by a store in Wesley Chapel, FL over the weekend while I was on my way back from Tampa. Monster Games. The store was clean and they had an "ok" amount of retro stuff. A lot of used modern stuff and pretty fair prices.
Just thought I'd take the time to do any of y'all retro gamers in the New England area a service and reiterate my point about The Game Zone in Salem, MA.
I stopped by there today as I hadn't been there since last summer (because the prices were sky-high; we are talking 9$ Madden 97's, 15$ Duck Hunt cart only!), and the roly-poly guy behind the counter was a douche-rocket extraordinaire. Since they had a TON of nice stuff, I figured I would give them at least one more chance.
Well today was that other chance, and let me say... AVOID.
This is the sort of place that good games go to die. Ninja Gaiden Trilogy for 250$ cart only? Earthbound for 400$ cart only? Lol, sure! I even saw a 13 year old kid come in and pay 100$ for a Game Boy of all things. Great way to put a dagger in anyone's joy of gaming.
No haggling, no caring... this is the antithesis of a good retro game store. I wouldn't even call it a store: this sort of place is like a dude's personal collection he prices exorbitantly high so it never moves and he can pretend he has a store.
And... (even though I asked him if he knew about/was on Nintendo Age and he said he wasn't)... if the owner IS someone on here... for shame!
Go to Sudden Impact out in Winthrop if you're in the Eastern Massachusetts area. The owner there Don will at least DEAL with you.
I stopped at the FX Game Exchange in Waco, TX yesterday and I was thoroughly dissappointed. They had a wide selection of games across all systems but most of them were just scans of the box art on a generic plastic case. I would much rather be able to browse through the actual carts and be able to look for label variants, 3/5 screw variants, converter carts and overall condition of the game. I made my way to the display case and I got a little bit excited when I saw the nice inventory of their "higher end" games. I was quickly dissappointed again when I saw some of the prices (mostly EBAY high BIN++).
I noticed about half of the games in the display were not priced so I asked one of the employees for the price on four games. They took them out of the display and went to the computer and...you guessed it, checked EBAY (high BIN I assume from the numbers they said) and rattled off some absurd numbers. I asked why some of the games in the display were not marked and I was told that the prices on some games go up quite often so they just check when asked what the price is.
This just pissed me off so much that I didn't even bother wasting my breath presenting my rebuttal and I just shook my head, threw the three items I had intended to purchase on the counter and walked out. I will never waste my time going out of my way to visit this store again.
I did have a pleasant experience at the Game & Movie Traders in Cleburne, TX though. The guy working was really helpful and they had some nice items at really reasonable prices. I will be back to this place the next time I am coming through.
I stopped at the FX Game Exchange in Waco, TX yesterday and I was thoroughly dissappointed. They had a wide selection of games across all systems but most of them were just scans of the box art on a generic plastic case. I would much rather be able to browse through the actual carts and be able to look for label variants, 3/5 screw variants, converter carts and overall condition of the game. I made my way to the display case and I got a little bit excited when I saw the nice inventory of their "higher end" games. I was quickly dissappointed again when I saw some of the prices (mostly EBAY high BIN++).
I noticed about half of the games in the display were not priced so I asked one of the employees for the price on four games. They took them out of the display and went to the computer and...you guessed it, checked EBAY (high BIN I assume from the numbers they said) and rattled off some absurd numbers. I asked why some of the games in the display were not marked and I was told that the prices on some games go up quite often so they just check when asked what the price is.
This just pissed me off so much that I didn't even bother wasting my breath presenting my rebuttal and I just shook my head, threw the three items I had intended to purchase on the counter and walked out. I will never waste my time going out of my way to visit this store again.
I did have a pleasant experience at the Game & Movie Traders in Cleburne, TX though. The guy working was really helpful and they had some nice items at really reasonable prices. I will be back to this place the next time I am coming through.
What's funny about your Waco story is that stores like that just may become the "norm" for this hobby. With online permeating every facet of our culture, and people looking to ride the wave of retro-gaming nostalgia that is fueling the hobby, people relying upon Ebay as a pricing guide is an inevitiability.
Whats worse is when you find a store like that that looks up prices, and then tacks on +25%-+100% to their sale costs. I recently dealt with that myself (see my post up a few posts in this thread).
Just makes you glad for those stores that are just more laid back; not just because you are getting more for your $ (which is very important naturally), but because the spirit of retro collecting is more then just $ signs to those of us who legit love the hobby.
McVans needs to be taken off of the indiana list they were all shut down last summer. Also there are two Game World locations in Bloomington that sell retro games. Their actual games are usually way over priced but you can find some good deals on accesories.
I stopped at the FX Game Exchange in Waco, TX yesterday and I was thoroughly dissappointed. They had a wide selection of games across all systems but most of them were just scans of the box art on a generic plastic case. I would much rather be able to browse through the actual carts and be able to look for label variants, 3/5 screw variants, converter carts and overall condition of the game. I made my way to the display case and I got a little bit excited when I saw the nice inventory of their "higher end" games. I was quickly dissappointed again when I saw some of the prices (mostly EBAY high BIN++).
I noticed about half of the games in the display were not priced so I asked one of the employees for the price on four games. They took them out of the display and went to the computer and...you guessed it, checked EBAY (high BIN I assume from the numbers they said) and rattled off some absurd numbers. I asked why some of the games in the display were not marked and I was told that the prices on some games go up quite often so they just check when asked what the price is.
This just pissed me off so much that I didn't even bother wasting my breath presenting my rebuttal and I just shook my head, threw the three items I had intended to purchase on the counter and walked out. I will never waste my time going out of my way to visit this store again.
I did have a pleasant experience at the Game & Movie Traders in Cleburne, TX though. The guy working was really helpful and they had some nice items at really reasonable prices. I will be back to this place the next time I am coming through.
Got a couple more for Lansing, MI that I have been frequenting lately.
Capital City Collectibles - 2019 East Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48912
The Swap Meet - 1803 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912
The Swap Meet - 4400 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lansing, MI 48910
I traded in some Magic cards to CCC and got Soul Blazer and Secret of Evermore for a good deal. It shares its retail space with a book store and is also attached to a cafe/bar.
I've been in the Michigan Ave. Swap Meet a couple of times, haven't bought anything though. Their prices seem reasonable, a little pricey. They have a much larger collection of retro games though; SNES, Genesis, a Jaguar console, etc. Also, their MLK location is the original.
Im in California and Gamedude seems like it has been my only option for a while, however I wanted to know if anyone has been to other stores in the Southern California area and what their experiences were like.
Gamedude has a huge selection with every single system, can be somewhat pricey but aren't insane.
Im in California and Gamedude seems like it has been my only option for a while, however I wanted to know if anyone has been to other stores in the Southern California area and what their experiences were like.
Gamedude has a huge selection with every single system, can be somewhat pricey but aren't insane.
There aren't many options in So. Cal. unfortunately, not any good options at least.
sold these guys about 1000 of my common shit for $1 each. dudes started getting stingy so i dont go there anymore. mostly a magic the gathering card shop but still ask a arm and a leg for games ebay prices for sure
Wii Play Games in Henderson (las Vegas, NV) is opening a second location in a few months in Las Vegas itself. Looks like the location will be corner of Eastern and Warm Springs or Sunset (block apart). I can't remember which one they said it was going to be at when I was there recently.
Comments
Edmonton
Nexwave Video games 10402-118 Ave www.facebook.com/NexWaveVideoGames
3 x Game City Bonnie Doon Mall , Millwoods town center Mall ,Londonary Mall
Just for Fun 10066 156 St www.jffvideogames.com
St. Albert
Game city St. Albert Mall
Sherwood Park
Nexwave Video Games 52 Brentwood Blvd
Spruce Grove
Nexwave Video Games 101A Main Street
Red Deer
Games Music 5209 50 Ave
The Game Shop 5121 50 Ave (word of warning not to comment to loud about prices as owner has a very short temper and will banned you)
Calgary
Video Game Traders 1220 Centre St NE (really close to Peters Drive in Best Burgers ever)
Video Game Traders 3456 17 Ave SE
I stopped by there today as I hadn't been there since last summer (because the prices were sky-high; we are talking 9$ Madden 97's, 15$ Duck Hunt cart only!), and the roly-poly guy behind the counter was a douche-rocket extraordinaire. Since they had a TON of nice stuff, I figured I would give them at least one more chance.
Well today was that other chance, and let me say... AVOID.
This is the sort of place that good games go to die. Ninja Gaiden Trilogy for 250$ cart only? Earthbound for 400$ cart only? Lol, sure! I even saw a 13 year old kid come in and pay 100$ for a Game Boy of all things. Great way to put a dagger in anyone's joy of gaming.
No haggling, no caring... this is the antithesis of a good retro game store. I wouldn't even call it a store: this sort of place is like a dude's personal collection he prices exorbitantly high so it never moves and he can pretend he has a store.
And... (even though I asked him if he knew about/was on Nintendo Age and he said he wasn't)... if the owner IS someone on here... for shame!
Go to Sudden Impact out in Winthrop if you're in the Eastern Massachusetts area. The owner there Don will at least DEAL with you.
Originally posted by: diddles_mcbean
Updated!
The Game Store is in Aberdeen, SOUTH Dakota!
I noticed about half of the games in the display were not priced so I asked one of the employees for the price on four games. They took them out of the display and went to the computer and...you guessed it, checked EBAY (high BIN I assume from the numbers they said) and rattled off some absurd numbers. I asked why some of the games in the display were not marked and I was told that the prices on some games go up quite often so they just check when asked what the price is.
This just pissed me off so much that I didn't even bother wasting my breath presenting my rebuttal and I just shook my head, threw the three items I had intended to purchase on the counter and walked out. I will never waste my time going out of my way to visit this store again.
I did have a pleasant experience at the Game & Movie Traders in Cleburne, TX though. The guy working was really helpful and they had some nice items at really reasonable prices. I will be back to this place the next time I am coming through.
Originally posted by: Laserman
I stopped at the FX Game Exchange in Waco, TX yesterday and I was thoroughly dissappointed. They had a wide selection of games across all systems but most of them were just scans of the box art on a generic plastic case. I would much rather be able to browse through the actual carts and be able to look for label variants, 3/5 screw variants, converter carts and overall condition of the game. I made my way to the display case and I got a little bit excited when I saw the nice inventory of their "higher end" games. I was quickly dissappointed again when I saw some of the prices (mostly EBAY high BIN++).
I noticed about half of the games in the display were not priced so I asked one of the employees for the price on four games. They took them out of the display and went to the computer and...you guessed it, checked EBAY (high BIN I assume from the numbers they said) and rattled off some absurd numbers. I asked why some of the games in the display were not marked and I was told that the prices on some games go up quite often so they just check when asked what the price is.
This just pissed me off so much that I didn't even bother wasting my breath presenting my rebuttal and I just shook my head, threw the three items I had intended to purchase on the counter and walked out. I will never waste my time going out of my way to visit this store again.
I did have a pleasant experience at the Game & Movie Traders in Cleburne, TX though. The guy working was really helpful and they had some nice items at really reasonable prices. I will be back to this place the next time I am coming through.
What's funny about your Waco story is that stores like that just may become the "norm" for this hobby. With online permeating every facet of our culture, and people looking to ride the wave of retro-gaming nostalgia that is fueling the hobby, people relying upon Ebay as a pricing guide is an inevitiability.
Whats worse is when you find a store like that that looks up prices, and then tacks on +25%-+100% to their sale costs. I recently dealt with that myself (see my post up a few posts in this thread).
Just makes you glad for those stores that are just more laid back; not just because you are getting more for your $ (which is very important naturally), but because the spirit of retro collecting is more then just $ signs to those of us who legit love the hobby.
Originally posted by: Laserman
I stopped at the FX Game Exchange in Waco, TX yesterday and I was thoroughly dissappointed. They had a wide selection of games across all systems but most of them were just scans of the box art on a generic plastic case. I would much rather be able to browse through the actual carts and be able to look for label variants, 3/5 screw variants, converter carts and overall condition of the game. I made my way to the display case and I got a little bit excited when I saw the nice inventory of their "higher end" games. I was quickly dissappointed again when I saw some of the prices (mostly EBAY high BIN++).
I noticed about half of the games in the display were not priced so I asked one of the employees for the price on four games. They took them out of the display and went to the computer and...you guessed it, checked EBAY (high BIN I assume from the numbers they said) and rattled off some absurd numbers. I asked why some of the games in the display were not marked and I was told that the prices on some games go up quite often so they just check when asked what the price is.
This just pissed me off so much that I didn't even bother wasting my breath presenting my rebuttal and I just shook my head, threw the three items I had intended to purchase on the counter and walked out. I will never waste my time going out of my way to visit this store again.
I did have a pleasant experience at the Game & Movie Traders in Cleburne, TX though. The guy working was really helpful and they had some nice items at really reasonable prices. I will be back to this place the next time I am coming through.
thats my friends in cleaburn got many deals there
Originally posted by: DakotaKid
Originally posted by: diddles_mcbean
Updated!
The Game Store is in Aberdeen, SOUTH Dakota!
My bad. I'm no good with Dakotas.
Game X Change
501 N. Main Street
Stillwater, OK 74075
(405) 372-1435
Here is a list of all of their stores. Some of them don't show up on the map (like Stillwater) so you may have to search a bit for any near you.
http://www.gogamexchange.com/Locations.aspx
Edgewater Mall
Biloxi, Mississippi
Originally posted by: profholt82
http://www.dinkydana.com/video-game-stores.php?cat=Cate...
All it listed for my zip code was Gamestops and Goodwills.
I know of at least 7 within 20 miles of me, non were listed.
I like our list better
430 New Brunswick Ave
Fords, NJ 08863
Not a great selection. Their focus is more on card games but they do keep a small inventory of NES, SNES, Atari, etc.
And I can vouch for Swap in Edison NJ being a dirty overpriced shithole. $15 for Tetris is just one example, and the guy doesn't budge on price
Capital City Collectibles - 2019 East Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48912
The Swap Meet - 1803 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912
The Swap Meet - 4400 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lansing, MI 48910
I traded in some Magic cards to CCC and got Soul Blazer and Secret of Evermore for a good deal. It shares its retail space with a book store and is also attached to a cafe/bar.
I've been in the Michigan Ave. Swap Meet a couple of times, haven't bought anything though. Their prices seem reasonable, a little pricey. They have a much larger collection of retro games though; SNES, Genesis, a Jaguar console, etc. Also, their MLK location is the original.
Gamedude has a huge selection with every single system, can be somewhat pricey but aren't insane.
Player's Choice - North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (in the mall)
Originally posted by: Nesboy43
Im in California and Gamedude seems like it has been my only option for a while, however I wanted to know if anyone has been to other stores in the Southern California area and what their experiences were like.
Gamedude has a huge selection with every single system, can be somewhat pricey but aren't insane.
There aren't many options in So. Cal. unfortunately, not any good options at least.
sold these guys about 1000 of my common shit for $1 each. dudes started getting stingy so i dont go there anymore. mostly a magic the gathering card shop but still ask a arm and a leg for games ebay prices for sure