Recently Nintendo released several new video game consoles that all pay homage to the consoles of yesteryear. People around the world, and many right here in British Columbia lined up for hours or even days to get their hands on these consoles.
Perhaps you too are considering an upgrade to a new console, or perhaps you’re thinking of trying out a new console on a new platform – these tips will help you make that new video console more affordable.
Look At Your Local Pawn Shop
Pawn shops are a great place to find video game consoles. You never know what you’re going to find at the pawn shop, and that’s part of the fun. People pawn or sell their game consoles for a number of reasons, so it’s not uncommon to find everything from brand new video game consoles to vintage ones. With the popularity of throwback game consoles, your local pawn shop may just be a gold mine for gaming consoles. What’s more, if you’re looking to get into a different console, you could effectively trade-in your existing console and purchasing a new one at your pawn store also.
Look Online
Another great source for gaming consoles in looking online for them. Used and older video game consoles also become available regularly. Check out your local Craigslist or LetGo. Try setting up alerts on E-Bay for specific titles to be notified when one is posted for auction.
Often when a game console is listed in one of these selling tools, they would list everything they have for the console including controllers, memory cards, add-ons, and possibly even game titles they may have for that console.
If you’re looking for a newer console, online can be a great way to find one also. Keep an eye out for online store site or big box retailer sales as they may often be cheaper online than in store. The best deals will occur on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Boxing Day specials.
Look For Bundled Package Deals
Much the same way finding individuals looking to sell consoles with all the accessories they accumulated, so too many stores will look to bundle consoles and accessories when they need to clear out older inventory. These deals often include controllers and newly released games, memory cards and on occasion, further discounts for future purchases on your next video game.
Look To Trade-in Older Systems
As already mentioned – your local Pawn Shop is an effective way to trade in your game console for a newer or different one. Other retailers will give you store credit or even cash for your old games and systems. Here’s how to get the best deal.
Look online and get a handle on what the going rate is for the system you’re looking to sell. Take your console and everything that works with it to your local pawn shop or video game store. You are likely to get “more” by asking for store credit, not cash, because the retailer knows you’ll have to use it to buy something else from them Once you’ve negotiated the rate, make your purchase of your new console.
Look At Your Local Garage Sales
As mentioned earlier, vintage or classic game consoles are enjoying a major popularity resurgence, and where better to look for such consoles than at local garage sales and flea markets. This is also a great way to get into a new console. If you’re knowledgable about what consoles and games have value, shopping for and finding these and then using one of the methods already mentioned above to raise some cash by trading in, or pawning one of these consoles, can help get the cash you need together for that game console you want.
