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Video Game SystemsSelling Guide

Video Game SystemsSelling Guide

Saving up for that PlayStation 3? Too many consoles, not enough games? Outgrown that Nintendo 64? With millions of eBay shoppers looking for video game consoles like Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 and handheld video game systems such as Nintendo DS and Sony PSP, its easy to turn your Video Game Systems into cash on eBay.


Cash In on Video Game Systems

Many gamers successfully use eBay not only as a place to buy new Video Game Systems and games, but as a way to help fund their growing gaming collections. Whether youre saving up a new Nintendo Wii system or a new flat-panel plasma TV to game on-selling on eBay is the perfect way to earn extra money. Swap out your unused consoles and games-your Nintendo 64 or PlayStation-and buy yourself a brand new console.

What's It Worth?

Already have an item in mind? Visit Video Games Seller Central to find out the average selling price of similar pieces on eBay. You can also search completed listings to see how others are selling similar items.



FindOut What's Hot inVideo Game Systems

Millions of people come to eBay in search of Video Game Systems-from makers such Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sega Dreamcast and many more. The following provides just a small sampling of the myriad of Video Game Systems and equipment that you could sell on eBay. To get a real-time view of whats in demand, what buyers are searching for, and what items are selling the most, visit Video Games Seller Central.

Nintendo game consoles: Nintendo, the originator of modern home video games, produced popular models such as the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Super NES), Nintendo 64 and even Virtual Boy. Nintendo launched its first advanced game system, Nintendo GameCube, shortly after PS2 and Xbox entered the market. Instead of trying to outmuscle the PS2 and Xbox in terms of graphics, processing speed, and multimedia features, Nintendo used a different strategy for the GameCube, producing a designated gaming console. Nintendos latest console, Nintendo Wii, had a very successful launch and remained sold out in stores for months after its release.

Sony game consoles: Sony released PlayStation 2 (PS2) in 2000 as the follow-up to its original PlayStation, which captured the home video game market from former powerhouses Nintendo and Sega. With the ability to play back more than 1,600 PS2 video games and the entire library of more than 1,300 PlayStation video games, PS2 has one of the widest selections of playable video game titles in the history of video gaming. Popular PS2 video games include Grand Theft Auto, Gran Turismo, Final Fantasy, Medal of Honor, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, Tekken, Madden NFL, Crash Bandicoot, and Sly Cooper. The latest edition to the PlayStation family is the PlayStation 3, which boasts the abilities to play DVDs and Blu-ray discs and is compatible with PSOne games, PS2 games, and PS3 games.

Microsoft game consoles: Microsoft entered the market with the Xbox, released in 2001. Over the years, more than 800 Xbox video games became available, and most support Xbox Live. Xbox offers higher-quality graphics and greater processing speed than the PS2, producing more realistic environments and faster game load times. At its release, Microsoft and the gaming industry hailed Xbox 360 as the most powerful gaming console ever, offering impressive graphics processing speed, features, and functionality. Once logged onto Xbox Live (Microsoft's online gaming service and the gold standard of online console gaming), Xbox 360 automatically updates with new content and can serve as a multimedia Internet hub in the family room. The Xbox 360 can also play DVDs and CDs. Xbox 360 comes in two formats: a stripped-down Xbox 360 Core System and the standard Xbox 360 Premium Edition.

Sega game consoles: Sega created some of the earliest, most popular game systems from the early 80s to the late 90s. Although they no longer produce game consoles, Sega is still popular amongst gaming fans for its nostalgic effect. Earlier Sega systems include the Sega Master System (SMS), Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn, and the Sega Dreamcast.

Other game consoles: Buyers arent always interested in the flashiest or most technologically advanced game systems. Older consoles are still popular for various reasons-as collectibles, gifts, and even childhood memories. The Atari 2600 was released in 1977 and was wildly popular in the 1980s. The ColecoVision by Coleco was also a once popular console, as was the TurboGrafx-16 released by the NEC Corporation.

Nintendo handheld systems: Classic handheld game systems from Nintendo include the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. Nintendo is currently producing the Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Lite, Game Boy Micro, and Game Boy Advance SP. Each model has different capabilities, sizes, and games-but all are quite popular with people of all age groups. Nintendo produces each model in a variety of colors as well.

Sony handheld systems: Sony decided to challenge Nintendo's monopoly of the handheld gaming market by introducing PlayStation Portable (PSP) in 2005. PSP marks the first time a handheld system's graphics and game play compare to that of its console cousins, offering the highest quality graphics of any handheld video game system on the market. PSP can work as an MP3 player, digital picture viewer, and video player, playing back UMD movies and video saved to a Sony Memory Stick Duo.

Other handheld systems: The Sega Game Gear was created by Sega in response to Nintendos release of the Game Boy. It has over 250 games released for the system, and is popular with collectors and game lovers of all ages.



Get Top Dollar for YourVideo Game Systems

Once you have an idea of what youre going to sell, its time to think about how to attract Video Game Systems buyers. Here are the top tips from eBays most successful sellers.

Use Catalog to Easily List Your Video Game Systems

eBay has made it even easier to list your Video Game Systems. Use the "Find Your Product" option when creating your listing. The eBay catalog will pre-fill in information for you-including a good listing title, item specifications, a stock photo, and technical information about your camera in the listing description. You have the option of editing any of the pre-fills, and you can still add details to your description and self-shot photos.

Help Buyers Find Your Items with Keywords

Keywords are a great way to attract buyers to your listing, especially when used correctly in your Listing Title. Listing titles are used by eBays search engine to pull up listings during a search. Use your 55 characters wisely, and try to anticipate what buyers will be searching for. Find out what is being searched right now with our list of Top Video Games Searches. Be sure to include common search terms like "PSP" and "Xbox," when appropriate. State important characteristics of your item-what it is, brand, and important specs such as available memory. Of course, you should only include keywords that are relevant to the item you are selling. You can also search current and completed eBay listings to see what other sellers include in their titles.

In your Listing Description, make sure to include both basic information and details about your item. A good description is concise, well organized, and easy to read. Create bold section headlines, bulleted lists, and be sure to restate the information featured in your title plus more details such as dimensions, condition, colors, upgrades, included software or games, estimated value and any other interesting features. Always clearly state what is included in the listing-whats "in the box"-such as memory cards, cases, cables, games, controllers, and instruction manuals. Make sure you point out which cables are included in your sale-either with a picture or a list or both. You can also insert photos or links to videos that highlight the unique attributes of your item. Think about your listing from the buyer's perspective. The more information you provide, the more likely the buyer will be to place a bid on your item.

Here are some terms commonly used by other sellers to describe their Video Game Systems.

No Longer Available (NLA): Game consolesand equipment that are no longer available cannot be found in stores or bought from the manufacturer.

New In Box (NIB):A game console is new in box if it remains in the original packaging from the time of purchase and has not been opened.

Gently Used (GU): A product is gently used if it shows slight signs of wear such as scratches. Wear should be superficial, and should have no effect on the cameras capabilities.

Poor: A console or equipment in poor condition may no longer be working and has considerable signs of wear. However, poor equipment may have valuable parts or usable components. Make sure when you list a poor item that your description accurately describes the item and its condition.

Showcase Your Video Game Systems with Great Photos

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words! Photos are the closest you can get to putting your Video Game Systems in the hands of potential buyers. Here are some tips on how to best represent your item:

Choose the Right Background: Use a contrasting, solid backdrop. By placing your Video Game Systems on a solid black or white backdrop, you draw a buyers immediate attention onto the item. This is easily achieved by hanging a bed sheet or placing poster board behind the item. Use a plain, colored fabric backdrop to make your item stand out. Most importantly, avoid background clutter that can distract buyers or confuse them regarding what you are selling.

Cover All Angles: Take pictures from multiple angles and distances, zooming in on important details. Take a picture of the front, back and sides of your item. Make sure you photograph any scratches or flaws to give buyers a clear idea of what they are bidding on. If youre selling more than one item in your listing (such as a game console with four controllers and wires), take photos of all the items together and individually. Dont forget to photograph included cables and connectors as well.

Use Proper Lighting: Natural light tends to give the best representation of color-however direct sunlight can have the nasty effect of unwanted shadows. Find an area that receives indirect sunlight. Try taking your item out on a sunny day and photograph it in a shady area. If you can't seem to find an area like this, or would prefer to use indoor lighting, try surrounding your item with desk, overhead, or floor lamps. Above all, avoid using your camera's flash which causes distortion and shadows.

Add Gallery: Including a Gallery photo with your listing is extremely important for success. You can attract attention to your item with a photo next to your listings in search results. In addition, when a buyer uses "Picture Gallery" to look at search results, your listing will be shown. Your Gallery picture should be a very clear, uncluttered view of your item. Since it is the only photo visible on search pages, make sure it provides a good representation of your item.

Use Stock Photos Wisely: If youre selling an itemcontained within packaging, it may be more useful to the buyer if you include a photo of a similar item, such as a stock photo. Be aware that most photos are protected by copyright lawsand require you to obtain permission and/orpay a fee for use. So dont just use a photo you find on the internet unless you have been given permission from the copyright holder to use it. A good way to get a free stock photo is to use the eBay catalog when creating your listing (see above).

Maximize Profits with Low Priced, No Reserve Listings

Auction style listings are a great way to create excitement around your Video Game Systems, which in turn can develop into a bidding frenzy among buyers-which could result in a higher selling price for you. The keys to a successful auction style listing are to get your first bid and encourage bidders to continue bidding.

Low Starting Price: Getting that first bid is critical, as other buyers are generally more likely to jump in if they see there are already bids on an item. To do this, many sellers prefer to set an opening bid below what the item is actually worth. Try beginning with a low starting price-such as 99 cents-to jumpstart bidding activity.

No Reserve: Be careful when setting a reserve price. Buyers may lose interest in an item if they place a bid and find it doesn't meet the reserve. Because they do not know the reserve price, they may assume the seller is simply asking too much for the item. To prevent this from happening, try listing your item with "No Reserve." Items sold with "No Reserve" typically attract more buyer interest, as buyers know that they will actually win the item if they are the high bidder.

Accept PayPal: Buyers want to know that they can pay securely when making a purchase on eBay. By accepting PayPal payments, you can build buyer confidence and help protect yourself. PayPal transfers payments to a bank account of your choice and notifies you when a payment has been received. Best of all, PayPal offers free online tools to make managing your payments easier. You can even print shipping labels and track your shipments.



Ship Your Video Game Systems

Specifying reasonable shipping and handling costs in your listing is essential for smart selling-and it improves your search ranking when buyers sort by total cost. Never leave a buyer wondering how much shipping will cost.

Calculate Shipping Costs

Often times, shipping costs will vary by distance. To make sure your shipping charges reflect this, incorporate a shipping calculator into your listing. With the shipping calculator, eBay can automatically calculate the shipping cost for your buyers based on the size and weight of your item and the buyers location. You can also program the calculator to add in the cost of packaging materials and your handling fee, if any.

Select a Service Option

To protect both you and your buyer against loss or damage during shipping, consider purchasing shipping insurance for your package-especially for higher pricedVideo Game Systemsand equipment. Shipping insurance is available through most shipping companies, and can be purchased while you pay for shipping. You can factor in the cost of shipping insurance into your shipping cost-but make sure you state in your description that you are doing so. Buyers want to know that they are paying extra for shipping for a good reason.

Package YourVideo Game Systems Securely

After your item sells, you are ready to ship it off to its new home. Make sure you package your item safely and securely. Use bubble wrap, foam, or other packaging materials to make sure your item is not damaged during its move. If youre not including an original instruction manual with your game system, try to include instructions on how to connect your game system to a television. Whether you draw out a diagram, take a picture of your current setup, or just quickly write an instruction sheet, your buyer will appreciate your extra effort. Here are a few steps to think about when packing:

Wrap It: Individually wrap items and provide lots of cushioning (bubble wrap, peanuts, foam, corrugated dividers, or crumpled paper). Be careful if you choose to reuse newspaper-the ink can rub off and damage your items. If you use foam peanuts, be aware that they shift easily, so overfill your box. If any pieces could be damaged by water, make sure you wrap them with a layer of sealed plastic. Bundle any wires, fasten them with a twisty-tie, and place them into Ziploc bags. Remember, wrap and pack firmly-you dont want to hear any rattling!

Box It: If the item is on the smaller side, you can order free USPS Priority Mail box right here on eBay-the United States Postal Service will even deliver them right to your door for free! For larger items, use a corrugated box with rigid sides, intact flaps, and plenty of room for cushioning on all sides. Don't exceed the maximum gross weight of the box (usually printed on bottom flap).

Seal It: Use strong tape designed for shipping, rather than masking tape, cellophane tape, string or paper over-wrap. Once youve sealed up your package, you can pay for shipping and print shipping labels right from your PayPal account. You can even request a pickup from USPS or UPS, saving you a trip to the Post Office or UPS location.



Build Your Reputation

Communication is the key to a successful transaction. Make sure youre available before, during, and after the sale. Answer any questions about your item promptly. Include a thank you note in your package-its a great way to surprise and delight your buyer and encourage them to leave you positive feedback.

Always Leave Feedback

Feedback is extremely important for all eBay users. Consistent positive feedback lets buyers know that you manage transactions well and that you care about your reputation. One way to help ensure good feedback is to communicate well, represent your item truthfully in your listing, and be polite. Also remember your buyers feedback score is as important to them as yours is to you-so be courteous, thoughtful, and truthful when leaving feedback.

Express Yourself

Be more than just a username to your buyers. Introduce yourself through your About Me page and MyWorld. Add pictures, keep track of your favorite buyers, and tell the community about your interests and collections. Show your expertise by writing Reviews & Guides. Connect with other sellers on the Seller Central Discussion Board. Remember, be yourself-and have fun!

Sell for a Cause

Support your favorite cause and enhance buyer trust and loyalty at the same time. eBay Giving Works listings tend to sell at higher final prices, because buyers are more willing to purchase, and often pay more for, items that benefit a nonprofit. Get more exposure and receive a receipt for your tax-deductible donations!


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