Does Game Exchange Give You Cash? Your Complete Guide
Hey there! Lillie here, your gaming and electronics trade-in guru. I know you‘re wondering if Game Exchange will give you cash for your used games and tech gear. I‘ll give you the inside scoop so you can get top dollar.
Trading in your stuff at Game Exchange is super convenient. But before you ship anything off, let‘s go over how their program works, what kind of value you can expect, and some smart alternatives if cash in hand is your goal.
How Exactly Does Trading at Game Exchange Work?
Trading in your used gaming gear at Game Exchange is really simple. Here‘s your step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Create an Account
You‘ll need to register at GameExchange.com to get started. It only takes a minute to setup a free account. This lets you manage trade-ins and store credit funds.
Step 2: Enter Your Items for Quote
Browse or search for the games, consoles, controllers and electronics you want to trade. Select each item and fill in details like platform, condition and included accessories.
Step 3: Get an Estimated Trade-In Value
Game Exchange will provide you with a quote showing the estimated trade credit you‘ll receive if you ship in your items. This is based on current resale market value, but isn‘t guaranteed.
Step 4: Print a Prepaid Shipping Label
If you accept the quote, you can print out a prepaid UPS shipping label to send your items to Game Exchange free of charge.
Step 5: Get Your Final Trade Credit
Once Game Exchange receives and inspects your items, they will credit your account with the final trade-in value. This may be adjusted up or down from the initial quote.
Step 6: Shop and Enjoy Your Credit!
Now the fun part – browse Game Exchange‘s huge selection of used games, consoles, accessories and merch and use your trade credit to buy awesome gaming gear!
The key thing to know is you‘ll receive site credit rather than cash for trade-ins. But you can use that credit anytime with no expiration.
How Much Trade-In Value Should You Expect?
The trade credit you‘ll receive from Game Exchange varies quite a bit based on what you‘re trading and its condition. But here‘s a general idea based on what I‘ve seen:
Newly Released AAA Games
- 1-3 months since launch: $25-$35 credit
- 3-6 months since launch: $20-$30 credit
Slightly Older AAA Games
- 6 months – 1 year since launch: $15-$25 credit
Previous Generation AAA Titles
- Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U: $5-$15 credit
Nintendo Switch Games
- First party Nintendo titles: $25-$35 credit
- Third party games: $15-$25 credit
Xbox One / PS4 Games
- AAA titles: $10-$25 credit
- Sports games: $5-$15 credit
Xbox 360 / PS3 Games
- Most titles: $2-$15 credit
- Select rare games: Up to $30 credit
| Condition | Credit Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Complete in Box (CIB) | +25% value |
| Missing Manuals | -10% value |
| Aftermarket Case | -20% value |
| Disc Only | -30% value |
| Heavily Scratched Discs | -50% value |
As you can see, condition makes a big impact. Make sure to include original cases and manuals for maximum trade-in value.
My advice – be selective in what you trade. Save it for your newer and high-value games. You likely won‘t get great offers for older sports titles and common games. Those you may be better off selling locally for cash instead.
When Can You Trade-In to Game Exchange?
Since Game Exchange is an online marketplace, their website technically accepts trade-ins 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Very convenient!
However, keep in mind your traded items need to physically arrive at their facility within their normal processing hours to be inspected the same day:
- Monday-Friday: Arrive before 2 PM Pacific Time
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed (will process next business day)
It‘s smart to ship out trade-ins early in the week. Anything that shows up Friday afternoon or on the weekend will sit until Monday, delaying getting your payout.
I recommend printing the label Monday-Wednesday so your package gets there for same day handling.
How Much Cash Could You Get Selling Your Games Locally?
Rather than trade-in credit, what if you want to score cash for your used games and gear? Let‘s compare what you could get selling locally:
Facebook Marketplace
Listing your games for local pickup on Facebook Marketplace can bring in 40-60% more cash compared to Game Exchange credit.
You have to coordinate meetups and handle negotiations, but the extra money may be worth it if you have high value items.
eBay
eBay is my top choice for getting maximum cash value for rare and Limited Edition games. You‘ll deal with some fees, but can expect to get 50-100% more than trade-in credit if you price competitively.
For common games though, local sales will beat eBay after fees.
Craigslist
Posting a local Craigslist ad eliminates fees, but you lose the structure of Facebook Marketplace.
Pricing competitively can net 20-50% more cash. But it may take more patience for items to sell.
GameStop
For cash trade-ins, GameStop is convenient but offers the worst values – often 30-60% less than you could get selling locally.
Only use GameStop for common games not worth your time to sell.
So in summary, selling locally via Facebook or Craigslist nets the most cash, but requires more effort on your end. Consider it if you have high demand items like rare games or the latest consoles.
What Should You Know About Game Exchange Stores?
In addition to their nationwide trade-in program, Game Exchange also operates over 50 (and growing!) used video game stores located primarily in the Eastern U.S.
Here are some key things to know about trading and shopping at physical Game Exchange locations:
Trading Options
Most Game Exchange stores offer both cash and in-store credit for used games, systems, and accessories. Their quotes may be slightly more competitive than their online trade program.
Inventory
You‘ll find a huge selection of used retro and current generation games for Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and more. Prices are decent if you hunt for deals.
Membership Perks
Signing up for a free Pro Member account gets you bonuses like extra trade credit, discounts, and reward points. Worth joining if you shop there often.
Store Policies
Items must be in excellent condition with original components to get full value. Discs must be scratch-free. You can‘t return traded items – all sales are final.
Checking their store locator shows if you have a local Game Exchange. Trading and shopping in person can be more convenient and flexible than mailing trades.
How Does Game Exchange Compare to Other Trade-In Options?
Wondering how Game Exchange stacks up against other places you can trade games and tech gear? Here‘s a quick comparison:
GameStop Trade-In
Cash values at GameStop run on the lower side, but are convenient if you have a local store. Their credit values are awful – stick to cash here.
Best Buy Trade-In
Best Buy‘s cash and credit quotes tend to be a bit lower than Game Exchange. But if you have a store nearby, worth checking.
Target Trade-In Program
For cash trades, Target is very similar to Game Exchange‘s credit values. But their store credit offers are pretty bad.
Amazon Trade-In
Trading in to Amazon gets you more value than retail stores, but less cash than selling yourself on Amazon or eBay.
Decluttr
One of the better online trade-in options, Decluttr pays out cash via PayPal. Comparable to Game Exchange credits.
eBay Selling
For maximum cash value, you can‘t beat selling yourself on eBay or locally. But more work involved.
So in summary – Game Exchange credit payouts are very solid compared to major retailer programs. But you can potentially get 20-50% more selling via eBay or Facebook.
Should You Trade-In or Sell Your Stuff Locally?
Trying to decide whether to trade-in to Game Exchange or take the time to sell your used gear yourself? Here are a few things to consider:
If convenience is key: Game Exchange is super fast and hassle-free. You‘ll get a fair offer and have an endless online catalog of gear to spend it on.
If you need maximum value: Selling locally via Facebook Marketplace or eBay will require more effort, but nets 20-50% more money typically.
If you want cash fast: GameStop offers lower value, but it‘s easy instant cash. Similarly, online buyback sites like Decluttr are quick.
If you have rare/limited items: Your high value collectibles will get more from eBay collectors than trade-in sites.
If your stuff is common: Trading in common games or basic electronics is quick and easy. Not worth selling small ticket items yourself.
If you like shopping: Game Exchange‘s online and local stores give you a huge selection of cool gear to buy with your trade credit.
So think about what you‘re trading and your priorities. Game Exchange is best for convenience, fairness, and selection. But selling locally or on eBay gets you the maximum dollars if you put in the work.
Either way, I hope this guide gives you the inside tips to maximize your trade-in value. Good luck and happy gaming my friend! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Game on,
Lillie