How to trade video games

If you’ve been gaming for a while, you probably have some random cartridges, consoles, or discs laying around or packed in storage. Don’t throw them away! Unless you’re a collector, you might want to consider trading in those old games and devices. You might not know it, but knowing how to trade video games has its perks.

Sure, you could simply sell your old games on eBay for some quick cash. But why would you when you can learn the value of your equipment and take home what it’s actually worth? After all, one gamer’s trash is another gamer’s treasure.

How to trade video games

Trading in games and gaming equipment can be an easy, painless process if you know what you’re doing. The key is to do your research ahead of time, identify the best deal, and choose the best payment method for you.

Know your worth

Of course, the rarer a video game is, the more money it’s worth. Make sure you do your research because you could be sitting on a gold mine. You don’t want to sell a rare game for a few bucks, only to find out later that it was worth so much more. Retailers might pitch you a low price because they know the actual value of the game. That being said, make sure you know your worth.

Pick the best trade-in spot for you

The GameStop website and app both have up-to-the-minute values for electronics, consoles, games, accessories, collectibles, and more. Take a look to see what your stuff’s worth. If you like what you see, you can head to your local GameStop, bringing any cords, chargers, and accessories that go with your item. Charge it up, delete any personal info, and remove any SIM/memory cards.

While GameStop might be the most widely-known spot to trade, there are others. You can also trade at your local mom-and-pop game store and even at some big box stores like Best Buy. It’s worth shopping around to see where you can get the best bang for your buck.

Cash vs. store credit

When you trade with GameStop, you can choose to receive in-store credit for max-value of your items or get paid in cash. GameStop Pro Members get 10% extra in value on most items. They also provide a 30% trade-in value bonus if you trade towards the value of a pre-order. If you choose store credit, you can simply turn around and start buying more games.

Store credit works on almost anything you can find in the store or on the website, including accessories, apparel, video game consoles, games, and more. Instead of getting your in-store credit on a GameStop card, you can also get it on one of many other gift cards at a 1:1 rate. You can look at the full list on their website.

The perks of refurbished technology

What happens to the tech you trade in? Refurbished devices are previously owned products that are returned to the manufacturer. They undergo a refurbishing process that can involve anything from a simple paint job to a full hardware overhaul. At GameStop, every item is fully tested for functionality and repaired and restored to a like-new state. They also clean and disinfect every item prior to reselling it.

When you trade in your old technology, you’re giving the manufacturer the chance to refurbish the device. Not only is this better for the environment, but it also gives others with tighter budgets the chance to own tech that they otherwise may not be able to afford. It’s a win-win for everyone!

More about gaming on a budget

If you’re looking for ways to save money, learn how you can be tech-savvy on a budget. One of the best ways to save is to cut the cable cord and switch to a streaming service. You can also use a budgeting app to stay on top of your finances. For more on gaming and streaming, visit the Quantum Fiber blog.