Today an old friend gave me his childhood gamecube. One that I remember playing at his house at birthday parties back in the day. One thing he told me was “you can just sell it if you want”. This had me realize something fully. I think most of the people on this forum are the same way and that’s why the sale thread rules.
(this is absolutely not in reference to anyone here or to make anyone feel bad. I know a lot of people will agree. This also may not be the point of this thread, but as it pertains to sale I figure it’s the most appropriate place for it.)
With how grossed out I am by the racket that is the video game resale market, I feel pretty gross / like I’m selling out my community if I were to sell games for a profit, or any reason other than to hook up a homie, or for quick emergency cash. I altogether no longer sell anywhere besides this forum, or sometimes craigslist casually.
It’s getting so difficult to find stock units in good condition, the number of previous owners matters. Any time I’m handed a console in good condition, or that has had only one owner, like this gamecube, I’m going to take care of it and make sure it goes to a good home instead of just “flipping” it. I don’t see money when I see a game console. I see a game console. Just because they are going for insane prices, does not mean that is equal to their worth or value. Games should be given away for a reasonable cost to people who love them.
More and more, old game consoles seem to be being made into everything besides what they are. People see me with a game boy and immediately think of the money, or the mods it “needs” to be resold.
Turning your passion into a business is all well and good, but it’s a steep slope before it quickly becomes ethically questionable, the more you rely on it for your income the more desperate moves you make to sell out.
This is just reaching a peak for me lately. Anyone who already had their consoles before these years are so fortunate. I don’t think there’s ever been such a massive, industry-wide sell-out like this. It doesn’t seem like it’s going to stop.
Pay attention when you buy used games online, notice what year the seller started selling. It’s not always the only indicator, (I’ve purchased games from a girl who recently lost her father, they were his games, she just signed up this year to sell his stuff), but it can be a red flag when some dude calling himself thekingofgames995 started selling post-2020. That usually means they saw dollar signs and started reselling games amidst the post-covid boom. Especially 2022/23, that means not only are they a sellout, but they were late, too!
I wasn’t even complaining about analog clones at all I actually think those are legit. Homie is in a pinch and I feel bad for stealing their thunder. Hope they find a good buyer!
