Gamers and Collectors

[Dr.Agon]

thought about posting this in another thread, but then i thought "it kinda concerns this topic more than the other one", so i'll post here

had an epiphany(?) about collectors today, IMHO their are 2 types; gamer-collectors and collector-gamers

a gamer-collector isnt wholly concerned about the condition of the games he/she buys, they just want to play the game, they do however, wherever possible, buy original carts/discs, but DONT buy games just to have them in their collection. also they dont want to pay a lot for their games. they wont have any duplicates, games or systems, whats the point?

a collector-gamer IS concerned about the condition of the games he/she buys, this is the whole point of their collection, and they are prepared to pay a higher ammount to get a 'perfect' copy, they will have duplicates of some games and systems for playing, and they will most certainly have games just for the collection, with no intention of playing (or even opening, in the case of sealed games) them.

i would count myself as a gamer-collector, just cant get my head around sealed games and the people who buy them

[sheep2001]

i am somewhere in between those categories - i have lots of games i haven't got around to playing.  I have bought lots of games that meant something to me as a kid, but not really intending to play them much now - i just want them again for sentimentality.  I prefer a boxed copy, but not too bothered.  I don't keep things sealed - if i want to play it, i rip it open - even though alot of my stuff is still sealed because i haven't got around to it yet.  I also buy bundles of carts - knowing that there will be some i don't want, but will get shelf space in my collection.  So what do you categorise that as?  I definitely acquire/collect at a faster rate than i could ever (want to) play.  Ghetto-Collector?  lol 

[shenske]

i am somewhere in between those categories - i have lots of games i haven't got around to playing.  I have bought lots of games that meant something to me as a kid, but not really intending to play them much now - i just want them again for sentimentality.  I prefer a boxed copy, but not too bothered.  I don't keep things sealed - if i want to play it, i rip it open - even though alot of my stuff is still sealed because i haven't got around to it yet.  I also buy bundles of carts - knowing that there will be some i don't want, but will get shelf space in my collection.  So what do you categorise that as?  I definitely acquire/collect at a faster rate than i could ever (want to) play.  Ghetto-Collector?  lol 

I think you hit it spot on for me. I think I would fit in your Ghetto-Collector category. The only thing I woukd add is I am a patient collector who has no problem waiting for the price that I feel it is worth. A little but of a cheapass but one with particular taste, haha 

[Pikmin Overlord]

I would consider myself a gamer-collector.

I have extensively researched the gaming libraries for most of the systems that I collect for, and have compiled a list of games that interest me. Therefore, I buy all of my games with the intention of playing them (although sometimes that doesn't happen for a while).

However, I do believe I have a touch of OCD, and therefore I can be somewhat meticulous with the condition of the games that I buy. I do not require CIB copies, though those are a nice bonus when I find them for a good price. Essentially, I usually refuse to pay ridiculous amount for my games, and the cartridges which I do buy must be in fairly good condition (no torn labels, etc.). I like to take care of my stuff, and I also like some element of uniformity, so all the games that are not boxed get housed in UGCs with covers.

[Rx_79]

 I am really picky about some of my games, like with sega genesis games. I want the case and manual. but on gameboy games I dont care about owning the manual or box.

On snes games I always try and get the manual, but dont care about the box.

Playstation games with out the case and manual are worthless to me. as it is near impossible to locate the manuals and art work on their own.

Ds games I will only buy if they have the case and manual.  Game boy advance games I also try to get a manual but not as obsessive about it.

Sega Cd games must have case and manual. (which is hard because those stupid cases crack when you look at them from across the room.)

Also I have noticed that some collectors wont buy re surfaced discs.  In my opinion this does not hurt the value as long as it was done well.
 

[wiggy]

Definitely gamer-collector. I actually PREFER loose carts at this point. I don't want any more boxes that I have to keep in other boxes tucked away where I keep lots of boxes full of boxes. I've got enough already.

The only items that I really like to get CIB are systems, which I normally buy new.  Also disc games, but that seems like a given IMO.

[madrocsz]

Gamer Collector here for sure
Loose carts ftw, UGC's look way better than original nes/snes/64 boxes and are wayyy cheaper to get

I'm that guy who will always buy it used if I can at places like gamestop. Assuming I can get it complete and in decent enough condition I stack it with promos and discounts to save a bit of money

PS1 games I try and get complete when I can for *usually* its not that much more expensive however I have printed out a lot of back covers to save a buck and have them still look good on the shelf.

and yes, I try and adhere to a strict only pay 60% of retail of what its worth, gotta have standards lol

VG price charting helps a lot with that

[Pikmin Overlord]

On snes games I always try and get the manual, but dont care about the box.

Ds games I will only buy if they have the case and manual.  Game boy advance games I also try to get a manual but not as obsessive about it.

I'm the same way. I also totally understand your wanting Genesis games CIB. I don't collect Genesis myself, but if I did, that would be the only way I would collect. I can understand boxes being thrown away, but the plastic Genesis cases, much like those of the DS, were created to store the game and withstand normal wear and tear.

The only items that I really like to get CIB are systems, which I normally buy new.  Also disc games, but that seems like a given IMO.

I'm totally with you on this one, Wiggy. If I can find a good deal on a CIB system that isn't new, I will usually go for it as I tend to believe that if someone kept the box and instructions and all the accoutrement in good condition, then the system itself was likely taken care of. I recently picked up a Game Boy Color off ebay in just such condition. It set me back about $50. I also recently procured a BNIB Game Boy Micro for $70. I'm currently looking for a nice boxed Graphite GBA SP AGS-101 for a reasonable price, but prospects are not great at the moment.

When it comes to systems, I don't like to take chances.

[shenske]

I split this topic ... it is related to the original topic but i think it could easily become large enough to warrant its own thread 

[shenske]

90% of my gaming purchases come from pawn shops and other second hand stores.  There is some junk out there that you don't want to touch but for the most part (at least around here) all the second hand stuff is in very reasonable condition.

I clean so many systems at work i think i have gotten pretty proficient at it.  When i look at a game or system that's a little rough i immediately think what i could do to clean it.  Most of the time when i have it in my hand i can determine whether or not its worth 'saving.'  If it is worth saving i now have a bargaining chip based on the condition to get a lower price.  A lot of times its just sticker residue from a previous retailer.

That lower price would be stacked upon another discount i get at most places since i frequent there shops so much.  I've worked retail for about 8 years now so i have a lot of tactics with how i word things to get the price i desire 

Its a collector win win

[wiggy]

On snes games I always try and get the manual, but dont care about the box.

Ds games I will only buy if they have the case and manual.  Game boy advance games I also try to get a manual but not as obsessive about it.

I'm the same way. I also totally understand your wanting Genesis games CIB. I don't collect Genesis myself, but if I did, that would be the only way I would collect. I can understand boxes being thrown away, but the plastic Genesis cases, much like those of the DS, were created to store the game and withstand normal wear and tear.

The only items that I really like to get CIB are systems, which I normally buy new.  Also disc games, but that seems like a given IMO.

I'm totally with you on this one, Wiggy. If I can find a good deal on a CIB system that isn't new, I will usually go for it as I tend to believe that if someone kept the box and instructions and all the accoutrement in good condition, then the system itself was likely taken care of. I recently picked up a Game Boy Color off ebay in just such condition. It set me back about $50. I also recently procured a BNIB Game Boy Micro for $70. I'm currently looking for a nice boxed Graphite GBA SP AGS-101 for a reasonable price, but prospects are not great at the moment.

When it comes to systems, I don't like to take chances.

That's a pretty killer deal on a NIB micro!  Good score

I've been collecting portables a LOT in the last month or so, and I've been tryin to get at least one exams of each CIB/NIB, but once I have that one, then all bets are off and loose is the name of the game. Although, I have like 5 SPs now and none are CIB.  It's hard to care about getting a CIB unit after already having a loose example

I can't say I'm surprised that we all seem to be gamer-collectors. If we weren't, then making custom covers for out collections wouldn't exactly be a priority I imagine. It's not like we're improving the value or anything like that. I also can't stand the idea of collecting sealed games, especially more than one example of any given title. That sort of thing is what will cause the used gaming market to implode/collapse. People that collec in that manner obviously haven't learned from the example of many other collectible markets. Once rampant hording starts, the value of those items plummets. I watched it happen with comics (and, admittedly, took part. Still have many, MANY new copies of Spawn issues 1-50 that are pretty much worthless), and I can totally see it happening again with games. The only upshot is that maybe I can finally grab some of the games that are too pricey for me at their current market value like EVO.  Even so, I'd be happier with a more stable market versus one which balloons and then pops.

Shenske, good thinking on breaking this off into its own topic

[madrocsz]

Ugh, Evo , aside from a few repros, is the last snes game I want. The price on it has just gotten ridiculous and I refuse to pay even half of that.

One of my best scores was a few months ago in Gamestop, a lady walked in (I was browing shelves behind her) when I heard "We cannot take those, they are too old" Immediately caught my attention lol. I asked to see, she had a bag full of PS1 RPG's all in perfect condition and complete. This blew my mind as she was there with a younger kid. I was honest with her saying that some of these were worth a fair bit (damn conscious!) however when I asked what she wanted to do with them she said I could have them. I felt too bad taking them all for nothing so I asked what she was trying to get in the store and if she wanted I would put some money towards it at least. Kid wanted Skylanders, go figure, So I offered 30$ and she insisted I only pay 10$. Ok

Needless to say I Grabbed

FF 7, 8, 9 All black label
Saga Frontier 2
Tomb Raider 1, 2, 3 Black label
Valkyrie Profile
Brigandine (yeah buddy)
Bushido Blade
Legend of Mana
Legend of the Dragoon

I kept the few I didn't have and rest made some very nice presents for some good friends. Just goes to show that sometimes being a collector and keeping a budget can be completely random and luck based 

[Pikmin Overlord]

Ugh, Evo , aside from a few repros, is the last snes game I want. The price on it has just gotten ridiculous and I refuse to pay even half of that.

One of my best scores was a few months ago in Gamestop, a lady walked in (I was browing shelves behind her) when I heard "We cannot take those, they are too old" Immediately caught my attention lol. I asked to see, she had a bag full of PS1 RPG's all in perfect condition and complete. This blew my mind as she was there with a younger kid. I was honest with her saying that some of these were worth a fair bit (damn conscious!) however when I asked what she wanted to do with them she said I could have them. I felt too bad taking them all for nothing so I asked what she was trying to get in the store and if she wanted I would put some money towards it at least. Kid wanted Skylanders, go figure, So I offered 30$ and she insisted I only pay 10$. Ok

Needless to say I Grabbed

FF 7, 8, 9 All black label
Saga Frontier 2
Tomb Raider 1, 2, 3 Black label
Valkyrie Profile
Brigandine (yeah buddy)
Bushido Blade
Legend of Mana
Legend of the Dragoon

I kept the few I didn't have and rest made some very nice presents for some good friends. Just goes to show that sometimes being a collector and keeping a budget can be completely random and luck based 

Nice, dude! I enjoy hearing happy find stories like this. And well done being truthful and offering some cash.

I was fortunate to find EVO in a pawnshop downtown about two years ago. I paid $60 for it (cartridge only), which makes it the most I've ever spent on a used SNES game. The most I've spent on an NES game is $30. I can work within those parameters if the games themselves are rare enough, though I'm always looking for much better deals.

[ShoothimNow]

90% of my gaming purchases come from pawn shops and other second hand stores.  There is some junk out there that you don't want to touch but for the most part (at least around here) all the second hand stuff is in very reasonable condition.

I clean so many systems at work i think i have gotten pretty proficient at it.  When i look at a game or system that's a little rough i immediately think what i could do to clean it.  Most of the time when i have it in my hand i can determine whether or not its worth 'saving.'  If it is worth saving i now have a bargaining chip based on the condition to get a lower price.  A lot of times its just sticker residue from a previous retailer.

That lower price would be stacked upon another discount i get at most places since i frequent there shops so much.  I've worked retail for about 8 years now so i have a lot of tactics with how i word things to get the price i desire 

Its a collector win win

Gamer-Collector as well.  Pawned $20 worth of games the other day for a $100 turn-a-round.  I buy loose, but only because we have an amazing site here that *cough cough* helps resell *cough cough* games that need cases =D.  Thats.. not the only... reason... why I like... this site though...

Awaiting Akrates reply: "I just like cases!" - He must have a warehouse or something.  Extremely jealous of some members here 

[Dr.Agon]

...I don't keep things sealed - if i want to play it, i rip it open - even though alot of my stuff is still sealed because i haven't got around to it yet. Ghetto-Collector?  lol 

that part alone sets you on the side of the gamer-collector, collector-gamers cant even think that! i think your about 60/40 G-C/C-G

@shenske: thanks, didnt think of starting a new thread!

...I can't say I'm surprised that we all seem to be gamer-collectors...

IMHO Forte is a C-G, at least thats what i get from his megaman thread, but yeah probably the other 99% of us are G-C!

some of the games i buy, Japanese ones, will be mint/near mint, cos the guy i buy off only sells them this way, but they are at least reasonably priced, the most ive paid for a game was £80 (arcade boards dont count), neo-geo CD metal slug 2, but that is a good price compared to the AES version!