Sorry for the long gap between this and the last post...been so busy. Things are going much better than I could have imagined. Every day is a new experience and I am having the best time of my life. Sales are great...NES, SNES, N64 and Genesis systems are flying off the shelves. Trade ins have been fantastic! Surprisingly, fantastic. Recent ones of note are for a complete PS2 Rockband set, 2 guitar hero sets, sweet PS1 RPGs like Vagrant Story, Lunar, Grandia, Valkyrie Profile and others. Super Mario 64 has been making a routine round trip through my store...in from a trade in, then immediately out after a sale. This has happened 4 times now!
Since I am a one man show right now, I cannot keep up with these posts...sorry. Or do ebay, or start to set up my website, peopleplaygames.com. I want to run the show myself for at least the first two months to make sure everything will run smoothly...then I will hire some help.
That's when I will have time to start selling online once again, and keep updating these posts.
Yeah man this is awesome. Try to keep us updated as best you can. I can't speak for everyone but I'm living vicariously through you. Who wouldn't love to own a game shop.
I think my buddy Kyle still lives somewhere around Wrigley Field, though I'm not 100% certain. I'll give him a ring later and let him know. We used to play games alot together as kids, so he might be interested : )
Good job man, reminds me of the one I have back home, set up in a similar fashion too. I like the idea of selling old NPs on a rack, cool idea. How much is that Kid Icarus I see in the case there?
Kid Icarus CIB is $34.95. Thanks again for all the compliments. As of right now, I am not doing any selling online. There is too much work as it is to maintain the store. I am trying to run the store myself to save all the money possible. Once I hire some help, my ebay store (retrogamespot) will be up and running again. Also, the ecommerce website peopleplaygames.com will be ready soon.
So, please be patient with me, many of you have asked to purchase items in the picture. While I do appreciate the interest, I just cannot worry about shipping...yet. But soon, for sure.
Quick update: Got some more nice trade ins today. A stack of 35 nes carts came from one person, including SMB 2, SMB 3, Contra, Super C, Metroid, MTPO, DKC, DD, DDII, DDIII, Castlevania, etc. Later, I got a similar sized stack of CIB genesis games, many I have never had before like Chester Cheetah and Pink Goes to Hollywood.
Sales were lackluster until about 7 when a barrage of people came in. Sold original Lunar for PS1, but I had to burn me a copy of the soundtrack...it's fantastic! So, I have 2 soundtracks and counting to play in my store.
I really like the idea of soundtracks being played throughout the store. That would give it such a great ambiance, plus you've got a ton of great music to choose from in that department.
Also I'm wondering when people trade games in how much are you giving them? Let's say you know you can resell one of the games they brought in for $30, do you give them $15 or less than that. If your not comfortable answering that question it's cool. I'm just curious.
Thanks for the info NGD. I had no idea how it worked, I just remember my days of going into Funcoland and looking at the price sheets they had printed out.
Hey, I visited Adam's store a few weeks ago and it is fuckin tight ya'll. He has a good location and I came in on like a random week day afternoon and there was a decent amount of people in there. It's near wrigley field, and unfortunatley he will have to deal with many douche bag cub fans (go sox by the way....) but it is in the middle of a big shopping district of Chicago, really a supreme location, right next to like a comic book store, so it's one stop shopping for all the nerds on this block. After reading all these posts and seeing his store first hand, it seems like this is a HUGE success. Keep posting and keep stackin that cheese man.
I have not had a chance to go in there yet, but I did drive by at like 11pm one night. The lights were on, and the place looked pretty sweet. It was just random that I was in the neighborhood and just happened to glance over and see a video game store. Nicely done. I'll be there soon.
Quick update...sales are great and trade ins have been.....fantastic! I thought that I would see nothing come in but Maddens and other sports crapola. However, that has not been the case. Especially today. One person's trade in consisted of 7 games. PS1 Persona 2, Xenogears & Valkyrie Profile. All complete. I almost drooled all over them. In addition to those, he traded in Vay for Sega CD, complete with the map, a game for GBA, which I cannot pronounce yet made by Atlus. And 2 UK exclusives, Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland for DS and Tales Of Legendia for PSP. Really cool stuff.
Some great stuff that recently sold includes back to back CIB Top Loaders, a mint and complete Sega CD model 1 and 2 Turbografx systems. My NES base sets and Super Nintendo systems have been really flying off the shelves like mad. I only have 2 SNES systems left. Anyone have one or two to trade? I am down to only 4 NES base sets on the floor. But I do have about 15 behind the counter from trade ins needing to be refurbished.
Well, gotta run, but thanks to all of you once again for your support.
The inclement weather prevented us from coming today, unfortunately. I was wondering, though: I've got a bunch of systems I don't need -- some tested, some untested -- including a few Sega Genesises (Geneses? Genesisses? Genesisss?), a PSone, and a Sega CD model one that I think needs the fuse replaced. Should I bring these in when I come, or are you all set with systems for now?
I am always looking for more LS, for sure. However, if the fuse needs replacing on the Sega CD then I do not really know how to do that. All the others are fine though. On Sundays I am open from noon until 6.
So sorry for the delay in an update....first of all, Pompey, thanks for the Back to the Future II & III CIB. That's my name when I buy on ebay!!
As for the update, the store is great. Sales are good, trade ins are excellent. I have been selling NES and SNES systems like mad! 35 NES system sets sold in 5 weeks. 18 Supers. Slowly replenishing the NES situation. Found a lot of 10 NES systems, with 20 controllers, 10 zappers, 10 ACs, 10 RFs, 10 SMB/DH and 10 new pin connectors on ebay. That will surely help my situation. If I could only find a similar sized SNES lot. And surprisingly, I have sold tons of Genesis systems as well. An Atari system bundle sold today...that makes me most happy. They dont move too well, but every few weeks a different woman comes in the store, "I walked by here with my boyfriend the other day and he cannot stop talking about how his mom threw out his Atari years ago....." Well, they do make nice birthday presents.
My showcases are now filled with CIB NES goodness! Thanks to the sweet $200 BIN 50 CIB NES lot on ebay last week. Now I have complete copies of Challenge of the Dragon, Castle of Deceit, Panic Restaurant, Operation Secret Storm, Bucky Ohare, Castlevania 1,2 & 3, Namco Pac-Man, Gun Nac, and many many more.
I will make another post in the Buy Sell Trade forum about some of these games. I am looking to trade a few of them for some quantity of NES and SNES carts. After 5+ weeks, I have no more Mega Man NES carts(I do have X2 and X3 boxed, though). I am also out of MTPO, Contra, Castlevania, Tecmo Super Bowl, Ninja Gaidens, etc. People love those popular games!
Look for that post tomorrow when I can get some photos of the sweetness. Well, speak to you all soon.
So sorry for the delay in an update....first of all, Pompey, thanks for the Back to the Future II & III CIB. That's my name when I buy on ebay!!
Haha! I knew I recognized that name from somewhere! Glad you got your game.
Also congratulations on the store it looks like you're doing a brisk business all around. It's nice to see that so many people are stopping in and are continuing to support the retro gaming scene. That's just awesome.
Also I see here and on another thread that you were able to secure some nice lots through eBay. I still haven't figured out what I like better. The Thrill of the Hunt. (In the Wild.) or the thrill of the click (on eBay.) They're both a great feeling when you know you got a good deal.
One question when you get a chance, I just wondered if you were able to obtain in good Nintendo signage for the store? I knew you were looking for some in the past. In any case thanks for keeping us posted and I look forward to your next update.
Comments
Most expensive systems sold: Virtual Boy(yes, the same one that was returned because of migraines), NES Action set CIB, DS Lite.
You should adopt a no returns due to migraines policy.
Since I am a one man show right now, I cannot keep up with these posts...sorry. Or do ebay, or start to set up my website, peopleplaygames.com. I want to run the show myself for at least the first two months to make sure everything will run smoothly...then I will hire some help.
That's when I will have time to start selling online once again, and keep updating these posts.
So, please be patient with me, many of you have asked to purchase items in the picture. While I do appreciate the interest, I just cannot worry about shipping...yet. But soon, for sure.
Quick update: Got some more nice trade ins today. A stack of 35 nes carts came from one person, including SMB 2, SMB 3, Contra, Super C, Metroid, MTPO, DKC, DD, DDII, DDIII, Castlevania, etc. Later, I got a similar sized stack of CIB genesis games, many I have never had before like Chester Cheetah and Pink Goes to Hollywood.
Sales were lackluster until about 7 when a barrage of people came in. Sold original Lunar for PS1, but I had to burn me a copy of the soundtrack...it's fantastic! So, I have 2 soundtracks and counting to play in my store.
More updates coming soon.....
I'm really looking forward to your e-commerce site, since you seem to have a phenomenal selection.
Also I'm wondering when people trade games in how much are you giving them? Let's say you know you can resell one of the games they brought in for $30, do you give them $15 or less than that. If your not comfortable answering that question it's cool. I'm just curious.
~~NGD
It's inspiration for me. I've dreamed about starting a store, and this shows that it is possible.
Keep it up and good luck!
Some great stuff that recently sold includes back to back CIB Top Loaders, a mint and complete Sega CD model 1 and 2 Turbografx systems. My NES base sets and Super Nintendo systems have been really flying off the shelves like mad. I only have 2 SNES systems left. Anyone have one or two to trade? I am down to only 4 NES base sets on the floor. But I do have about 15 behind the counter from trade ins needing to be refurbished.
Well, gotta run, but thanks to all of you once again for your support.
As for the update, the store is great. Sales are good, trade ins are excellent. I have been selling NES and SNES systems like mad! 35 NES system sets sold in 5 weeks. 18 Supers. Slowly replenishing the NES situation. Found a lot of 10 NES systems, with 20 controllers, 10 zappers, 10 ACs, 10 RFs, 10 SMB/DH and 10 new pin connectors on ebay. That will surely help my situation. If I could only find a similar sized SNES lot. And surprisingly, I have sold tons of Genesis systems as well. An Atari system bundle sold today...that makes me most happy. They dont move too well, but every few weeks a different woman comes in the store, "I walked by here with my boyfriend the other day and he cannot stop talking about how his mom threw out his Atari years ago....." Well, they do make nice birthday presents.
My showcases are now filled with CIB NES goodness! Thanks to the sweet $200 BIN 50 CIB NES lot on ebay last week. Now I have complete copies of Challenge of the Dragon, Castle of Deceit, Panic Restaurant, Operation Secret Storm, Bucky Ohare, Castlevania 1,2 & 3, Namco Pac-Man, Gun Nac, and many many more.
I will make another post in the Buy Sell Trade forum about some of these games. I am looking to trade a few of them for some quantity of NES and SNES carts. After 5+ weeks, I have no more Mega Man NES carts(I do have X2 and X3 boxed, though). I am also out of MTPO, Contra, Castlevania, Tecmo Super Bowl, Ninja Gaidens, etc. People love those popular games!
Look for that post tomorrow when I can get some photos of the sweetness. Well, speak to you all soon.
So sorry for the delay in an update....first of all, Pompey, thanks for the Back to the Future II & III CIB. That's my name when I buy on ebay!!
Haha! I knew I recognized that name from somewhere! Glad you got your game.
Also congratulations on the store it looks like you're doing a brisk business all around. It's nice to see that so many people are stopping in and are continuing to support the retro gaming scene. That's just awesome.
Also I see here and on another thread that you were able to secure some nice lots through eBay. I still haven't figured out what I like better. The Thrill of the Hunt. (In the Wild.) or the thrill of the click (on eBay.) They're both a great feeling when you know you got a good deal.
One question when you get a chance, I just wondered if you were able to obtain in good Nintendo signage for the store? I knew you were looking for some in the past. In any case thanks for keeping us posted and I look forward to your next update.