Used or Pre-owned Video Games and Media Are Perfectly Fine

What is the biggest difference between buying a new DVD and a used/rented DVD? The new plastic wrapping around the disc case. If there aren’t any scratches, it is the same as every other functional disc out there, including the new ones. It is the same game or movie in the same quality.

This post was sparked by a recent video game shopping spree I went on. I saved $40 on $110 worth of games and they still feel new to me because they are. They were old and used to the previous owners but not to me. Since they all played fine, I have no complaints.

During the few occasions that I visit a store such as Best Buy, the movies section never gets any of my attention. Even though aisles are filled with newest and hottest movies and TV shows, I could care less about them. One thing I might get out of it is to know what the retail prices costs so I know how much I’ll be saving when I buy it used from some place online. As for the video games sections, I just take a look at what games are out and then I’m out as well.

That’s why I feel that it isn’t worth it to be the first one to own a new movie and pay full price for it. It is futile to have to go to popular electronics retailers and buy brand new movies and games. Of course, if shoppers realized that they could get all their movies and games used at a lower price, major retailers would be out of business.

When visiting game or video stores, always ask if there are used or pre-owned inventory. Stores like Gamestop or EB Games always have used games for sale. They always cost less and play the same. These stores check that they work before putting them back up for sale.

My top 4 places I go to get my entertainment:

1. Forums. Yes, forums. I’ve been part of sneaker forum, since back in the days when I collected sneakers ravenously, where people talk, live, and dream about sneakers. The great section of the forum is the marketplace, where users sell their stuff from shoes to clothes to electronics. The ability negotiate a lower price is what makes buying from these places a much better place to shop.
2. Craigslist. Another great site to find other people who put up stuff they don’t want. One perk here is that these people are in the local area and you can meet up and check on what you are getting before actually paying for it. Once again, there is the option of negotiation and bargaining here. Used movies and games are all over the “for sale” section.
3. eBay. The home of where one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. The opportunity to get some great steals still exists in the most popular auction site on Earth. I always ask about scratches and problems if the seller doesn’t specify product condition.
4. Amazon. Although there is no way to work with the seller to get a lower price since the listing price is set, Amazon has prices that can be lower than anywhere else I look. I shop here the least because I rarely get to see a picture of the actual disc and it is difficult to haggle for a lower price.

Be careful not to overspend because it is understandable how easy it is to go on a shopping spree when you keep finding bargains and deals. I got lost a little bit when I spent $70 on PS3 games but I realized it early enough to let it get too out-of-hand.

(Photo credit: DeclanTM, William Hook)

• A Frugalist’s Guide to Buying and Owning a PS3
• 3 Great Board Games To Teach Kids About Finance
• The Great Grocery Shopping Tip That I Never Knew
• The Very Helpful Credit Crisis Video
• Frugal Textbook Buying Tips
• Suspicious Terms That Ruin Great Deals