Which is easier? Trade desired titles, or sell then buy?

[EvanDickson]

For guys with limited space who want to rotate their lineup once in a while, do you find it easier to trade machines? Or to sell and then wait patiently for a title you want to come up for sale?

If you have a very nice example of an A-list title, and want to switch it up to a different title, it seems logical that someone else with desired titles would be more willing to trade one off to get another one into their collection, than to just straight up sell one of their titles. In general people with the best machines don't want to part with them.

On the other hand, if you have a short want-list of titles and one actually does come up for sale, but you have no space, then you're out of luck. But if you sell, then you've got an empty corner for months or years til you have an opportunity to buy.

I've got analysis paralysis, and am wondering what other people's experiences are.

 

[Dino Z.]

I'm always paranoid that if I temporarily trade a game with someone, I will either blow up something on their game or they will blow up something on mine and it will burn to a crisp and set their house on fire. If you are talking about a permanent trade that's a different story.

 

[websherpa]

About 10 years ago, collectors used to trade more regularly as they got bored with titles. Some, like myself sold a number of titles with the thought "I can always buy another close to the same price in the future." Well, along came a wave of younger generation getting cheap mortgages and a renewed interest in the hobby and BOOM! the prices started rising like crazy and the hoarding began.

I'm sure there are a few people who still regularly trade, but as you start to get older that seems less "attractive" an option. And if you are like myself, I hit my "price ceiling" a long time ago, to the point where I can no longer regain those titles I sold that I expected to pick up again (like Rollergames... and Cactus Jack's lol!), and the one's I was saving up for like "TRON" are now priced like "unobtanium."

I have joined the hoarding crowd where either I'll die with the machines I still have, or sell them off only if I get bored or too old and need a retirement "booster."

Trading is about the only viable option I have left after the market went crazy, but I don't really have any "spare" titles I'm keen on parting with yet. Never say never.

 

[websherpa]

I'm always paranoid that if I temporarily trade a game with someone, I will either blow up something on their game or they will blow up something on mine and it will burn to a crisp and set their house on fire. If you are talking about a permanent trade that's a different story.

There's also always the risk that an uneven temporary trade may be misunderstood by parties and you are never able to trade back. That's happened to me with a friend years ago and I am still "stuck" on what happened. (No one at PBRev, BTW)

 

[Murphelman]

I find with prices all over the place and a large number of price police out there I am resorting to trading games. Not trading temporarily but permanently.

Funny though because I have games for trade now and I am getting more quesriins about if I would sell them. I guess selling is easier but Inwould prefer a trade cause you getbsomething back right away.

 

[mcuzz]

Trading games is fine but hard to do, because both parties have to be happy with the games involved. I usually put games up for sale and trade at the same time that way people will offer me games and I can decide if I want to trade or not. Selling the game is usually the way they leave tho. As for grail games you need to have money saved up (or go into savings) to grab them when they come available, then if you are out of space or money then sell one off. The circle of Life !

 

[Chris Bardon]

If you're trying to sell, people will offer you trades. If you want to trade, people will offer you cash.

Trades can be a good way to get a game out of someone's collection, since at least for me, I don't want to part with a game unless I know I have something to replace it (nature abhors a vacuum after all...). In that case, I'd be more inclined to buy a game and then sell to make space than the other way around (assuming that the purchase had to go immediately).

 

[EvanDickson]

That's two for trades, two for sell/buy. Dammit why are there no easy answers?

 

[GUARD]

My next buy ( Unless I start setting up in my living room) will put me in this quandary.
I'm leaning towards selling but.....but....but...

 

[ibenaiah]

I think the decision on whether to first buy or sell, depends on space constraints and cash flow. If you don’t have the space, then it’s almost necessary to sell before you buy… which leaves you open to the risk that (1) you squander the money before finding your next game, or (2) games get more expensive. If space isn’t a constraint, then the decision comes down to cash flow… can you float the new purchase until you sell the existing pin.

I’ve been on the site for 5+ years, and have owned games dating back more than 15 years. I would much rather trade a game than buy/sell, it seems like the perfect way to refresh your interest… but it’s never worked out. It requires two people to have an interest in each other’s games… at the same time… then layer on game location, condition, personal valuation and attachment, etc.,… and everything gets complicated.

I have a RoadShow, if anyone is interested in a trade.