It is no secret that many of us are strapped for cash, and with the economy in shambles it is amazing many of us can still afford to eat, let alone pay to play games month after month.  But let’s face it, Blockbuster is losing customers due to the popularity of Netflix and subsequently is limiting its supply of video games available for rent to alleviate the expenses, which leaves gamers desperate to flock to online renting sites, such as GameFly or Games-N-Flix (Looks like they went out of business -ed.), which have seen monthly influxes of subscribers that literally causes games to be unavailable the day of release.

So what is an unfortunate broke gamer to do?  You could find useless junk lying around your house and try to pawn it off, but that takes too much time and more often than not you will probably end up losing a good chunk of change in fees or being ripped off.  An article by Forbes discusses a natural trend in the video game economy, one that many gamers have been using and relying on for years.  Sites committed only to gaming have given gamers the edge to unload their unwanted or unplayed games to other users for a game of their own.  Sure, the idea is not revolutionary in itself, but here comes the kicker: it’s relatively free to use and maintain.

Two of the biggest video games trading sites, GameTZ and Goozex, both have a large community of avid video gamers, many of which would like nothing more than to take your dusty, old games and give you something nice in return, whether it is another game or cash.  GameTZ is probably the most user-friendly of the two sites, considering it isn’t as flashy and users aren’t required to pay anything for a trade (at Goozex, users must pay a $1 service charge for every trade).  Of course, shipping is never free, so unless you are unable to afford a padded envelope and ship a game for less than $5, perhaps it is about time you start looking for a job.  Goozex is based off a points system, where newer games are worth more points as opposed to games on older systems, and you earn points by performing successful trades and adding games to your list as well.  Both Goozex and GameTZ have a solid relationship between one another, with users that optionally choose to frequent both sites, so you will never have a hard time from finding someone who has a game you want to play.

You could, as well, always try your luck with auction sites or online marketplaces, such as Amazon and eBay, but these places are not the most viable option for gamers with a low budget.  While you might find that rare complete game with a mint case and manual, you will end up paying top dollar for it (usually the price of a new game).  Sellers on these sites also tend to inflate their prices to make up for the fees they are hit with at the end of every sale.  Since these sites take out a percentage of the winning profits for their own, sellers tend to try to earn a few more bucks on sales to negate this action.

But it’s true; the internet could be a scary place and might not be the recommended choice for some, and with the rising bouts of identity theft and internet scams, new users might have a hard time trying their luck at these online marketplaces.  The only other viable option is to visit one of your local video game retailers and try to pick up a used game for a low price, but good luck at that.  GameStop recently posted a record sales profit from the 2008 holiday quarter, nearly raising its total from the previous year by almost 22%.  That is an incredible sales figure to reach, especially in the current economy, so one has to wonder just how GameStop is managing these stellar sales on games that are commonly sold at major retail branches across the country.

GameStop is known for its large assortment of used games for sale, and since they no longer have to worry about EB Games trying to steal their thunder, this is your best bet for finding a used game you are desperately seeking if you choose not to use the internet.  The problem with GameStop’s used games is their lucrative prices that seem to be frequent at stores around the country.  GameStop will charge you roughly $45 or more for a used game on a new release title, and while that makes sense from a market standpoint, no one is going to opt for a used game at $55 dollar over a new game for $60.  GameStop’s used games are not exactly known for their quality, and many of the cases lying around the store either are missing manuals or are fitted with that terrible, generic GameStop art.  Plus, to make it even more incriminating for gamers, GameStop seems to only give you a fraction of what they turn around and sell it for.  Their slogan, “Power to the Players” seems almost completely opposite to how they treat their gamers when profits are on the line.

When all is said and done, no matter which route you take, visiting one of the various game trading sites will help you out in the long run.  Goozex and GameTZ are both friendly and affordable sites with gamers just like you looking to save money and still play the latest titles.  It might take you a while to find exactly what you are looking for, but the wait will be well worth it once you look at that bill.

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About This Author: Josh Schwartzman

Been into gaming for as long as I can remember and have enjoyed every minute of it. I enjoy playing with everyone and anyone online and I am an avid PS3 and Xbox 360 player.

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