Share your buying strategies..

[jcdentont1000]

Are you a 'buy everything, ask later' type of collector, or do you methodically hunt down your prey, stalking eBay listings like the proverbial large.. stalking.. thing?

Do you take it in turns to 'attack' the library of your preferred console or do you go through 'phases'?

Do unboxed games 'count'? What about no-instructions? Many would say they don't. Would you?

Do you buy massive job lots of games just for the one or two you need, then resell the rest? Are YOU Spencer?

Share all as we go BEYOND THE COLLECTION

[theantmeister]

Mine is simple:

1. Go to eBay.
2. Search for a system (say NTSC SNES games).
3. Hit "sort by ending soonest".
4. Buy the cheapest game that isn't a sports title.
5. Repeat for different systems until I run out of room in my house.

This doesn't always work, however. Last week I bought a copy of Pataaank on 3DO. Sheesh!

[simes]

At the moment I'm on the hunt for Transformers games to fill in the last gaps in the collection so I'm using eBay, usually the same "ending soonest" option but I tend to try mis-spelt and variations to track down the odd thing here and these. I use a few online retro stores for getting some of the more obscure titles when I need to as well but on and off over the years ago I've cleared out a lot of my PS1, PS2, Vic 20 and C64 games so my collections there are a lot smaller than they used to be, so I really want to build them up again.

In that respect, I'm tempted to go for cheap job lots then sell on the unwanted stuff or just pick up the odd cheap game here and there but I do miss a lot of games that I used to own.

[crusto]

Wait patiently for a fond gaming memory to make its way through the fog in my mind. Once it arrives, check the VC, XBL, PSN, GOG etc to see if it appears there. Then check if it is available on a compilation or not. If 'lucky' I will then spend an age deciding whether to get it or not and in which flavour. By which time I frustrate myself so much that I normally just but something new instead.

Latest case - Another World Anniversary edition.

I need to be more impulsive

[psj3809]

I only buy iOS games but my problem (addiction !) is that i love buying tons of games for it. In an ideal world i would buy just a few, play them to death and then delete and buy more. But its when you first get MAME working, theres soooo many games you tend to dip in and out of them instead of really playing one for days and days.

I also like supporting the devs so they get maximum money from me (instead of waiting for it to be half price or free) but again when i've got so many apps to play i should really just wait and buy the next game when i've completed one

If i was into consoles i would probably be similar, instead of completing game a i would probably keep buying all the new releases and they would be stacking up waiting to be played !

I keep telling myself at least these games are 69p/£1.29 rather than £30-40 so my buying addiction could be worse !

[Liamh1982]

Is it cheap?
Do I already own it?
Do I have something to play it on?

Strategies are for sports coaches and military commanders, not me!

[DPrinny]

Some thing I want on t'bay I just put in the max I want to pay (or what its worth to me) and dont check on it till its done.
If someone wants to pay more than me they can have it

[jcdentont1000]

Is it cheap?
Do I already own it?
Do I have something to play it on?

Strategies are for sports coaches and military commanders, not me!

Perfecting the art of retro game collecting can be like a military operation..

[Matt_B]

My strategy for a while has been that I can only buy a new game when I finish two old ones.

[ALK]

I save my searches on ebay so listings can be emailed to me. I usually have 2 game listings per system (Except a few like the Gamecube and GBA, which I went overboard with XD), a couple of console ones and a fair few merchandise ones, as well as other things like DVDs, manga, etc. Once a listing at a reasonable price shows up and I have the money, I'll place a maximum bid or watch till the very end, and then its fingers crossed.

[simes]

My strategy for a while has been that I can only buy a new game when I finish two old ones.

I really should do that! I've got loads of games that I'm part way through and keep buying more so I'll never get around to completing them. After I had to replace my PS3 I've had to start Final Fantasy XIII from scratch but it still didn't stop me buying XIII-2 so that's still sealed and probably will be for ages! lol

[shiftytigger]

General rules of bargain shopping

If its cheapish and would otherwise languish or get ruined in its current location?
If its there and better than my own copy?
If its there to be bought?
If I have enough money for it?
If I know someone who would want it?
If selling it can make me money to spend on something I do want?
If Cex / amazon trade in / Musicmagpie offer a suitable profit ?

A lot of the time it is purely if it is there and in good enough condition to play / pass on / sell. Cart only counts because I play my collection - sealed games are a nice little bonus but then i have to buy a used one to try the darn thing.

[speedlolita]

I buy stuff that I actually want.

I only buy them the items if they're in mint condition.

For current gen I only buy new now. I just wait for prices to drop to £20 or less depending on how much I want the game.

[tachi]

For me, it is not about collecting.
I have no desire to own Every Megadrive game or every SNES game.
Quite simply, I buy the games I want to play!
If I see a game I want for £45 with box and manual and £12 as just the cart then to hell with the manual!
When my wife is back in work and my daughter in nursery I will become more methodical and aim for the perfect boxed ones of the games I love but as money is very tight I don't have that luxury at the moment.
SO in short, I buy what is cheapest but do scour the net, both on and off-shore.

[TyronW]

I will buy anything that interests me. I will research items methodically and buy.

However sometimes I'll just browse eBay on my iphone and buy multiple items because they are cheap