Back when I first started selling on Amazon, I was looking for a new niche to add to my online selling business. I needed something that was both profitable and abundant. I needed something I could buy for $1 to $5… and sell for $20-$80. The niche I discovered ended up being better than I ever expected. What niche had I discovered? Board games.
For over a decade, I have found thousands of board games, both new and used (collectible), to sell online. Take a look at just a few examples of some high ROI sales:
Snorta – Bought this board game brand new for $3 and sold it for $99.99
Trivial Pursuit: Master Game Genius Edition – Bought this board game new for $5 and it sold for $69.99
Excalibur King Master III Electronic Chess & Checkers Game – Bought this game for $15 and it sold for $199.99
These are just a few examples of the board games I can sell on a consistent basis. The board games above are obviously my home runs, but I seem to find them all the time. On average, I’ll easily triple my investment in the board games that I sell.
With a decade of experience with sourcing board games, I’ve made my share of mistakes… and I want to pass on what I’ve learned to you!
Top 7 Tips and Tricks for Reselling both New and Used/Collectible Board Games:
1. Where to find profitable board games.
You can find great board games to resell at garage sales and thrift stores, but one of the best place to find many brand new board games to sell on Amazon is eBay! Yes, you can easily double your money (or more) when you buy on eBay to sell on Amazon.
2. Selling used board games can be very profitable!
Some board games still in new condition are just too expensive on Amazon, and many buyers are very happy with buying a used board game. When selling a used board game on Amazon, be sure you categorize it as “collectible.” Amazon does not sell “used” items in the Toys & Games category and your “used” game will only sell if it’s correctly labeled as “collectible.”
3. Only sell complete games on Amazon.
Selling a used/collectible board game? Double and triple check that ALL of the board game pieces are included in the game. You can check sites like boardgamegeek.com to find detailed information on how many of each piece is included in most board games. Are you missing a piece? You can find individual replacement pieces on eBay, as well as other websites that will help you complete your game.
4. Make sure electronic games still work.
When selling a used electronic board game (The old Mall Madness game is one of my best sellers) double check that the battery compartment is not corroded. Put fresh batteries in the game and make sure all of the buttons still work. I even include the new batteries in the board game box and make sure that I note that fresh batteries are included in my condition notes or item description. Note: Don’t keep the new batteries in the battery compartment, as they may corrode while shipping or storage. Just include them in the box.
5. The best time of the year to sell new and collectible board games.
Q4 is an amazing time to sell board game. Many board games, both new and collectible, sell for much, much more during the months of November and December. Check Keepa for pricing history, and if you see an increase in price during Q4, then price accordingly and enjoy increased profits!
6. Sometimes a board game is more profitable in pieces.
Just like some cars are worth more when you sell them part by part, there are many board games that are worth more when you sell them piece by piece on eBay. So if you happen to find an incomplete board game you can see if you can sell off the pieces, the board, and even the instructions individually or in bundles on eBay or other board game pieces websites.
7. When you find a board game that you’ve never heard of…
If you ever come across a board game you have never ever heard of, you may have just found a pot of gold. I once found a used board game called Space Hulk… I had never heard of it, and to be honest, the game looked really weird. I looked it up, and it was currently selling for around $219. When I sent it to FBA, I was the only FBA seller, and four weeks later it sold for $249.99. Oh yeah, I only paid $2 for it.
Selling board games is a great niche to add to your online selling business. Whether you sell on eBay or Amazon, board games with great ROIs are all over the place. Seriously, I’ll run out of money before I run out of board games to resell online. It is the abundance of such a profitable niche that has led me to share my all of my secrets in my course, The Reseller’s Guide to Board Games: How to Turn Play Money into Real Money.
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The Reseller’s Guide to Board Games
Updated 4.0 Edition
My number one favorite item to buy and sell on Amazon is board games! The awesome thing about board games is that they sell for really good money in both new and used (collectible) condition.
In fact, I have discovered the secrets to making hundreds of dollars a week selling new and used board games, and I want to pass on my strategies to you.
I find profitable board games at garage sales, thrift stores, retail stores, online stores, and so many other great places. I’ll honestly run out of money before I run out of board games to find and resell. It’s because of this abundance of opportunity that I decided to create The Reseller’s Guide to Board Games: How to Turn Play Money into Real Money. This course is a combination ebook and video course that walks you through everything you need to know about making big profits buying and reselling board games.
COUPON CODE: To celebrate the updated 2022 edition (and for a limited time), use the coupon code GARAGE to take $10 off the cost of the course! Just know that pretty soon, the coupon code will expire AND the price of the course will be increasing…. so take action and enroll in the course today.
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Great tips! Thanks, I haven’t really even ventured into board games yet!
Thanks for the tips. I have sold some board games on Amazon but currently, they keep asking for safety certificates for any game where a child under 12 will play it. Have you had that experience? Thanks!
I am running into the same thing only with puzzles.
I did a video on this in our Full-Time FBA Facebook group. Watch it here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fulltimeamazon/permalink/5725697514122963.
You won’t be able to see the video if you’re not in the group. To apply to get in, go here: https://www.fulltimefba.com/facebook
Hi Stephen! I took up your advice and recently went garage sailing and found some collectable board games, one being Monopoly electronic edition, score! When I went to list on my Amazon seller page, it said I needed Monopoly’s permission to list the item, and I needed to upload a letter form time. Does this mean I will need to contact Hasboro and other game board companies for each sale, or is there a way around this? Perhaps something you’ve spoken about, and I just haven’t heard the episode yet!
I just came home with a carload of vintage board games I picked up and when I got home to list them, I ran into the same issue! Hopefully there’s a way around this!
For anything you source to sell on Amazon… you need to always see if you’re approved to sell the item before you spend your sourcing money on those items. You now have a few options: 1. Reach out to the brand and try to get the required documents. 2. Sell the games on ebay, Facebook marketplace, or some other non-Amazon platform. 3. Return the games if possible. Here are more details on understanding restrictions on Amazon and how to get approved: https://www.fulltimefba.com/how-to-get-approved-to-sell-restricted-brands-on-amazon/
Thank you for sharing your expertise Stephen! Thankfully each board game I purchased was only a couple of bucks. An affordable mistake. Thank you again!
I’m just starting venture from FBA books to board games and trying decide how to package. Do you wrap your games before sending. Should I invest early in a impulse sealer , shrink wrap and label set up or just try get the biggest clear bags with suffocation printed on them.
I would only invest in an impulse sealer if you knew you would be using it on a regular basis. Here is what I would use: https://www.fulltimefba.com/use-impulse-sealer-poly-bag-shrink-wrap-inventory/