Monopoly, Scrabble, and chess are some of the most popular games many people enjoy playing.
However, not everyone who owns them wants to keep them forever and yearns to know where to sell board games.
You probably have one or more board games you wish to exchange for some extra cash as well because:
- You haven’t opened it- The game was a gift someone gave you or you purchased it on a whim, but you never even got around to unpacking it let alone playing it.
- You’re tired of playing it- You’ve played the game so often that you find it dull and want someone else to enjoy it. (Or you lost interest in the game after playing it a few times and hope a new owner will have more fun with it than you had.)
- You’ve outgrown it- A game like Candy Land is cute for preschool children (and some older people enjoy it, too); however, you feel it’s too juvenile to keep in your possession.
Whatever your reason is for giving up your board game(s), there are individuals and companies eager to get their hands on one.
In fact, the global market value of board games is currently $14.41 billion and is projected to reach up to $26.04 billion in 2030.
So, despite the proliferation of video games like Pokémon, computer, and app games, the board game industry doesn’t look like it’s going away any time soon. (Besides, it’s good to get a break from screens sometimes.)
You benefit from game hobbyists, too, since you can earn money selling board games through the offline and online methods I have below.
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Where to Sell Board Games Near Me
If you want to find somebody who buys board games near you, use these options to sell board games in your town or city.
1. Game store
Many game stores allow patrons to sell gently used board games as well as card games like Yugioh and game books through consignment and/or auction.
With consignment, a store holds your game for a certain amount of time until a customer purchases it.
Auctions require you to create an account with a game shop to integrate into its system, set a minimum bid, and wait for the winner to buy your game(s).
Payment is typically in the form of store credits.
Think of it like a board game exchange; once you sell your old game, trade the credits for a new one.
2. I’m Board! Games & Family Fun
Live in Madison, Middleton, or Sun Prairie, Wisconsin?
Consider selling your used board games through an I’m Board! Games & Family Fun shop.
All three locations accept jigsaw puzzles, gently used board games and RPG books.
To begin the sales process, complete and turn in a submission form. (Either download and print the blank form or type into the fillable form and print it afterward.)
The store will put your item(s) up for sale for at least 60 days. (If no one buys said item(s), you’ll have to pick them up and wait another 60 days before resubmission.)
Once you make a sale, you’ll receive 70 percent of the asking price in store credits.
You set the asking price as long as it’s at least five dollars, and you can put up to five items for sale.
3. Craigslist
If you want to sell board games in your neighborhood without the hassle of setting up a yard sale, go with Craigslist.
Just create an account, snap and upload photos, and wait for local buyers to respond.
Meet with them at a public space and receive payment in cash, PayPal, or CashApp.
Oh, by the way, Craigslist is especially great to sell sports cards . People pay a lot of money for Football cards, Basketball cards, even Hockey cards.
4. Blue Highway Games
Blue Highway Games is based in Seattle, Washington.
It accepts game drop-offs by appointment only on weekends (Friday through Sunday).
In addition, Blue Highway Games permits up to 20 game submissions per drop-off from January through October, and up to 10 game submissions per drop-off from November through December.
Before you go, call 206-282-0540 to schedule an appointment, then print and complete the Used Game Drop-off form to turn in with your game(s). (Send an email of the game(s) you want to sell to contact@bluehighwaygames.com.)
A game buyer at the shop will evaluate your products, which takes about five to 10 days.
Afterward, they’ll contact you with an offer that you can accept in the form of store credits or cash.
5. Flea market
A flea market is an ideal place to sell vintage games.
You can conduct business with potential customers from different cities and states.
That said, selling at flea markets takes a lot of work since you have to rent a booth and fill out the required paperwork.
But if you don’t mind it, it could literally pay off in the long run, especially if your sales cover the costs of travel and rent fees.
6. Board Game Barrister
Like I’m Board! Games & Family Fun, Board Game Barrister is also located in Wisconsin, specifically in these cities:
- Wauwatosa
- Glendale
- South Milwaukee
This store franchise lets you put up to five games for sale.
Just complete, print, and turn in the pre-fillable Used Game Condition Report form with your game(s). (Also sign up for the MVP club to get email notifications on the sales process.)
Once everything checks out, Board Game Barrister will put it up for sale for a customer to buy.
When a customer purchases your game(s), they have a few days to inspect it to ensure it meets their expectations.
If they return it, the manager will contact you and ask how you want to proceed.
However, if said customer is satisfied with their purchase, you get 70 percent of the selling price (which you set) in store credit.
Where to Sell Board Games Online
Wanna sell your board games online instead?
Check out the following sites to market to prospective customers on the Web.
7. BoardGameGeek (Geek Market)
BoardGameGeek’s Geek Market is an online marketplace where others can buy and sell games.
To start selling on Geek Market, sign up for an account and verify your email address.
Next, use its QuickSearch feature to find the game you wish to sell and click on the “Sell Yours Now!” button.
Complete the seller form with information related to payment methods (typically PayPal and credit cards), shipping details, condition, and price, and click “Submit.”
Once a customer buys your item, you’re charged a three-percent advertising fee on the listing price.
If you want to sell on BoardGameGeek in other ways, like auctions and through eBay, consult this guide.
Also, fill out the contact form to get any of your questions answered.
8. Etsy
Etsy is the selling hub for craftwork enthusiasts.
So, you’re probably wondering why I’m listing this as a board game selling lead.
Well, if you possess a creative flair, you could make something like a mini chess or checkerboard out of yarn and construct the gaming pieces out of wood or base metals.
Being a seller for this site includes costs like:
- A listing fee of $0.20 per item
- Advertising fees for offline promotions
- Payment processing fee
- Transaction fees
(The last three costs only apply after you make a sale.)
Choose credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, PayPal, Etsy gift cards, or Payoneer as payment methods.
9. Noble Knight Games
If you desire chivalrous treatment when selling board games, why not check out Noble Knight Games?
The great thing about Noble Knight Games is that it’s open to both US and international customers. (Plus, its storefront is based in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, so you could walk right in if you’re local.)
You need to send a list of the game(s) you want to sell to trades@nobleknight.com or fill out the quote form at the bottom of the hyperlinked page. (The company also buys gaming pieces and dice without original packaging.)
You’ll receive a quote within a few days, and if you agree with the offer, Noble Knight Games will email you free shipping labels.
After you ship your package, expect to wait up to a week for an employee to process your items.
Once that’s done, you can receive payment via business check, PayPal, or store credit.
10. Amazon Seller Central
Amazon Seller Central requires you to sign up for an Amazon account before you can begin selling.
But you’ll get access to merchandise like clothes, books, and grocery items. (If you want, you can even sign up for Amazon Prime, which ships select products to your door within two days.)
In other words, you benefit by getting customer perks while running a business at the same time.
With Amazon Seller Central, you can choose the individual plan, which charges $0.99 per item, or the professional plan, which charges $39.00 a month.
Additionally, you’ll receive direct deposit payments to your bank account.
Learn more about how to sell board games on Amazon by reading its seller’s guide.
11. Mercari
Selling games through Mercari can be cost-effective because as of March 2024, it no longer charges selling fees.
All you have to do is snap a few photos, pen a description, set a fair price, and wait for the sales to come in.
Mercari also provides free prepaid shipping labels and payment options including debit cards and direct deposit.
12. Bonanza
With Bonanza, you can sell your board games through two methods: Webstore and Marketplace.
Webstore, aka Vercado by Bonanza, offers customizable templates to help you set up your site quickly. (There are also no transaction fees.)
Marketplace charges a fee of $0.25 per transaction, as well as a base 3.5 percent final value rate fee. (However, there are no listing fees, and you receive free advertising until your item sells.)
This site even offers optional membership plans to aid you in boosting your sales.
Payment method options include Amazon, Stripe, and Amazon Pay.
13. Sell Your Toys Now
Sell Your Toys Now buys all sorts of toys, including modern and vintage board games.
Fill out the form hyperlinked above and expect a response within two days.
Upon agreeing to the offer, pack and ship your collection. (Sell Your Toys Now provides free shipping labels.)
After the company receives and checks your board games, you’ll get paid within 48 hours by PayPal, Venmo, or check.
Selling Board Games FAQ
Now you know where to sell board games, read the following questions and answers below.
Is there a market for old board games?
Yes, especially games that have been around for centuries, like Go, Senet, and The Royal Game of Ur, which originated in China, Egypt, and Mesopotamia respectively.
Which board games make the most money?
Board games like the ancient ones I mentioned above can fetch you up to thousands of dollars.
Other best-selling classic games include Checkers, Clue, Trivia Pursuit, and others that have sold millions or billions of units in their lifetimes.
What if my board game has missing pieces or cards? Is it worth anything?
Board games with missing gaming pieces are typically worth less than games with all the pieces included.
But, some buyers purchase them anyway. (Just make sure you notify potential customers of this in advance so they won’t be in for an unpleasant surprise later.)
Nonetheless, selling a board game with missing dice, cards, or other pieces could be a blessing in disguise since you might have the pieces that a prospective customer has lost.
Selling board games for money sounds interesting, but I don’t have any of my own; what do I do?
Here are two options: you could either create mini replicas of board games as I suggested for the Etsy lead, or you could search for board games at yard sales, thrift stores, or online retailers, and resell them, aka flipping.
Save Customers from Board-om! Make Money Selling Board Games
Whether it’s a rainy afternoon, a team-building event at work, or a cozy night at home among family members, many people opt for board games as entertainment.
This is where you could come in by advertising any game(s) you own. (You could even use any store credit or cash you earn towards a new game.)
Next time you wonder where to sell board games, you can use the above sources to market locally or on the Net as a side hustle or a full-time business.
