Hopefully by now I've convinced you
that PC games make worthy collectibles, and you're ready to run out
and get in on the action. The easiest place to start is one of the
Internet auction sites, which are a great help to collectors because
they allow potential buyers to see the going rate for items. The
drawback is that you have to restrain yourself from spending more
money than you have. Auctions also offer a sense of security, which
is something the Internet often lacks. I say security because the
auction house tracks each user's purchases and sales, and members
(membership is free) can give positive and negative feedback about
the people with whom they deal. This is a great way to weed out bad
traders. People who commonly use auctions work hard to build up
their reputations.
Still, cases of fraud do occur at online auctions, so if an item
seems too good to be true, and the person lacks a reputation, you
should be leery. Of the two best auctions sites for game collecting,
eBayis the bigger and also has a great selection of antique hardware
on which to play your collection. I highly recommend it if you're a
seller--you'll get the biggest audience and the most bids. Haggle
Online is much smaller but worthwhile because of its antique
computers listings. If you're a buyer, you should check Haggle
Online regularly. Because it is less frequented, you'll find much
better deals.
When you're a serious collector, the Internet newsgroups are
another great place to search for games. Of course, there are more
newsgroups than words in the English language, so you have to know
the right ones to check. Generally, the most useful listings will
include the words marketplace, games, or both.
Buyer beware: Unlike online auctions, newgroups are unregulated
and people get cheated more often. You should be very careful when
buying via a newsgroup because it is customary for the buyer to send
money first, and the seller ships the game after receiving payment.
Ask lots of questions when buying over the Internet--about box
quality, writing, wear, bending, and so on. For example, a box can
be shrink-wrapped and still be crushed. Be sure you get exactly what
you pay for.
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