The Cover Project

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Tech13 on May 31, 2018, 08:04:07 AM

Title: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: Tech13 on May 31, 2018, 08:04:07 AM
I am intrested to see how others keep track of their collections.


I am currently using an Iphone app called Video games by Sort IT! apps. I like it cause I can scan barcodes or search by name quickly and see if I have a game already. I can also track if I let a game to someone.
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: RealPlumpBox on May 31, 2018, 08:43:28 AM
I also use that.  I ended up paying the $10 bucks for full access.  Have you figured out if you can use the website also?  I was under the impression you can but it says I still need to pay another $25 bucks.  It is so fast to imput them with the bulk scan mode! 
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: Bear78 on May 31, 2018, 09:34:01 AM
www.rfgeneration.com and their Android app.  It's a great, user driven site for tracking collections and the best one I've found.  Also completely free.  Unfortunately they do not currently have a ios app but it's on their road map for the future.  If you are looking for a site / app combo and are on Android, I HIGHLY recommend giving them a shot.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rfgeneration.app
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: TDIRunner on May 31, 2018, 10:13:34 AM
Microsoft Excel
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: NeoMyGeos on May 31, 2018, 10:27:34 AM
I originally used Microsoft Word to just keep a manual log of everything, and I still kind of do but now I've switched to RetroGameCollector (Which you can see in my signature)

I like it a lot, but the one problem I've run into is that for some reason the app keeps glitching out and logging games that I don't own. I might switch to another format if this keeps happening
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: Megatron on May 31, 2018, 11:08:19 AM
I have used excel in the past, RF generation, as well as a variety of apps.  The one I ended up choosing is https://www.collectorz.com/game and using their android app (CLZ Games).  It is a $15 purchase, but I love it.  It categories everything nicely, has barcode scanner, lists whether I have a game CIB, loose, manual only, etc.  It took some getting used to, but I love it.  They have a free trial where you can list like 20 games or so and get a feel for it.  I liked the app so much I bought the movies app as well.
Admittedly, I tried the book and comic book versions - not a fan.  But the game one is their bread and butter and they have pretty regular updates.
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: wiggy on June 01, 2018, 08:24:26 AM
I had an app that was pretty useful when I was collecting my N64 set, but I can't seem to find it in my purchase history :-\

It wasn't free, but it was quite useful.  It also only tracked N64.  They had other versions of the app for different platforms though.  I don't think I'd want to A) pay the money for several apps, and B) try and keep track of a number of apps in order to keep track of my collection.

Otherwise I'm not tracking my collection at all.  I probably should for insurance reasons though...

edit: Looks like they condensed that app into one single app called "Retro Collect".  You still have to pay to unlock specific consoles.  3 bucks per console, or $32 for the entire library.  Bit too much IMO.
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: TDIRunner on June 01, 2018, 08:28:54 AM
I had an app that was pretty useful when I was collecting my N64 set, but I can't seem to find it in my purchase history :-\

It wasn't free, but it was quite useful.  It also only tracked N64.  They had other versions of the app for different platforms though.  I don't think I'd want to A) pay the money for several apps, and B) try and keep track of a number of apps in order to keep track of my collection.

Otherwise I'm not tracking my collection at all.  I probably should for insurance reasons though...

Like you said, those apps are probably great for going for a specific full set, but otherwise, you might as well get one single app that covers everything. 

Funny thing is that while I use Excel to track my entire collection, I also have one separate Excel sheet for tracking PS1 because it's the only console that I have some interest in getting a full set for.  The first spreadsheet is more of a database of what I have and all of the details on it, while the second spreadsheet is really just a fancy checklist of PS1 games. 
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: wiggy on June 01, 2018, 08:44:50 AM
I had an app that was pretty useful when I was collecting my N64 set, but I can't seem to find it in my purchase history :-\

It wasn't free, but it was quite useful.  It also only tracked N64.  They had other versions of the app for different platforms though.  I don't think I'd want to A) pay the money for several apps, and B) try and keep track of a number of apps in order to keep track of my collection.

Otherwise I'm not tracking my collection at all.  I probably should for insurance reasons though...

Like you said, those apps are probably great for going for a specific full set, but otherwise, you might as well get one single app that covers everything. 

Funny thing is that while I use Excel to track my entire collection, I also have one separate Excel sheet for tracking PS1 because it's the only console that I have some interest in getting a full set for.  The first spreadsheet is more of a database of what I have and all of the details on it, while the second spreadsheet is really just a fancy checklist of PS1 games. 

 :o That's a SERIOUS undertaking!  Where are you at with it so far?
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: TDIRunner on June 01, 2018, 08:50:28 AM
I had an app that was pretty useful when I was collecting my N64 set, but I can't seem to find it in my purchase history :-\

It wasn't free, but it was quite useful.  It also only tracked N64.  They had other versions of the app for different platforms though.  I don't think I'd want to A) pay the money for several apps, and B) try and keep track of a number of apps in order to keep track of my collection.

Otherwise I'm not tracking my collection at all.  I probably should for insurance reasons though...

Like you said, those apps are probably great for going for a specific full set, but otherwise, you might as well get one single app that covers everything.  

Funny thing is that while I use Excel to track my entire collection, I also have one separate Excel sheet for tracking PS1 because it's the only console that I have some interest in getting a full set for.  The first spreadsheet is more of a database of what I have and all of the details on it, while the second spreadsheet is really just a fancy checklist of PS1 games.  

 :o That's a SERIOUS undertaking!  Where are you at with it so far?

372 games (342 unique titles).  So, in other words, not even close.  Less than 1/3.  

For the record, I've never made the decision to actively pursue the full set, but it's the only system where I will buy any game I don't have, assuming the price is right.  

I don't want to collect ALL variants, but I am interested in some of the subsets including all long box, greatest hits, and collectors editions.  Dangerboy over at PlayStationAge has a full set including all nearly known variants.  It's quite a site to see.  

http://playstationage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?StartRow=1&catid=68&threadid=158390
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: ignition365 on June 01, 2018, 09:21:14 AM
VGCollect.com  Link in my sig.
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: Tech13 on June 01, 2018, 10:14:24 AM
I am shocked to see people still using excel and word to track this.
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: TDIRunner on June 01, 2018, 10:27:00 AM
I am shocked to see people still using excel and word to track this.

Why?  It works perfect.  It may not be for everyone, but there is literally no downside to using it (referring to Excel, not Word).
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: wiggy on June 01, 2018, 10:44:00 AM
I am shocked to see people still using excel and word to track this.

Why?  It works perfect.  It may not be for everyone, but there is literally no downside to using it (referring to Excel, not Word).

I'm shocked just because there are a LOT of alternatives which don't require that you manually input ALL of the data.  I would NEVER make a spreadsheet of my own.  Just waaaaaaaaay too time-consuming.
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: breakmanexe on June 01, 2018, 11:06:14 AM
I use an Android app "My Game Collection" to track my games. Free version works well enough but I opted to buy into the Premium for a few bucks to get rid of ads and get access to all the features (minus the toys). I like it.
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: Cover-Rose on June 01, 2018, 12:34:48 PM
I tried different apps and have bought the VG Collection Tracker Pro. While not perfect I liked it much more than any other app. Most of them seemed to be missing many games in their database and the only games I needed to add myself were my own games. Pretty much everything else was just a click away. I could even create new plattforms for my PC Games (I have them in 1990-2000, 2001-2010 etc) and things like that.

I also used their option to customize Themes/Tags/EveryStat for an better Overview for original packaging, Reproduction carts etc.
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: Tech13 on June 01, 2018, 02:04:29 PM
Speaking of Computer games and the like....
does anyone catalog their digital  purchased games?
Personally I don't count it as part of my collection total because they are not physical, but what do you guys think?
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: TDIRunner on June 01, 2018, 02:06:51 PM
They are included in my database, but not counted towards my physical total.  My physical total is the number I use when referring to my total game collection. 
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: EVILSANTA777 on June 01, 2018, 09:12:21 PM
I've got a checklist for my progress on SNES and N64 games, as I'm trying to complete the entire NA game + manual collection. That works pretty well to see what I need going forward, but I also have plenty of other consoles. For those, I keep a huge Excel file with a running tab of what I paid for each game and what an estimate of my collection cost me/is worth
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: aaron-hagel on June 03, 2018, 12:10:03 AM
I am shocked to see people still using excel and word to track this.

Why?  It works perfect.  It may not be for everyone, but there is literally no downside to using it (referring to Excel, not Word).

I'm shocked just because there are a LOT of alternatives which don't require that you manually input ALL of the data.  I would NEVER make a spreadsheet of my own.  Just waaaaaaaaay too time-consuming.

I use Excel for a tracking my collection also, I just copied and pasted a list from someone that already did the leg work on imputing the game names.  I also use gamefaqs collection builder to help keep track of my collection as well. 
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: ShoothimNow on June 03, 2018, 05:22:11 PM
I dont inventory my collection anymore
Title: Re: How do you inventory your collection?`
Post by: Quazimoto on June 03, 2018, 06:17:38 PM
I just use a spreadsheet through open office and add to it when I get a new game.  Don't care about value unless I'm selling something, so I don't track that at all.  Just make a note if it's missing something or is some sort of special edition.  Then take pictures as well.  Usually just snap a quick one with my phone whenever I add a new game (which isn't super often anymore).  The pics are more for proof of ownership in case of loss in some sort of accident or disaster, so mainly for insurance compensation.