5 Tips On Buying Old Consoles Of Ebay

If you're into playing retro classics like the original Super Mario Bros., you might be enticed into buying an original console. However, because these are consoles that are decades old, the best chance of getting your hands on one is buying off of Ebay. It's the wild west in there, and I want to give a guiding hand seeing as how I recently bought an old Xbox. Here are five tips on buying old consoles.

1. It's all in the details

A good buyer will put as much information about the console. Text in the description box is nice, photos are better, and photos of every possible angle and closeup of the console is great!

2. Know the right price

Be wary of cheap products. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. On the other hand, expensive doesn't mean good. If the price is what you would expect and the console is in good condition, that is your best bet.

3. Use caution with modded or refurbished consoles

As a speedrunner, this one is an absolute deal breaker. If I want to get into a game, I need guarantee that no funny business is going to get my runs disqualified. Even if the slightest thing is modded, it's best to steer clear until you run out of options. If the stickers are damaged or show inaccurate information, stay away!

4. Communicate Communicate Communicate

Do not trust a buyer that gets defensive or deflects when you ask basic questions. A good buyer will cooperate to sell their item.

5. Always check if returns are allowed.

Again, if you're desperate for a console, you might have to overlook this as there could be many reasons to not accept returns. Shipping is expensive. But any good buyer will trust their product and be willing to take it back if there's a problem.