Gamertell

When you think of cheap games, the first thing which usually comes to mind is a resale shop, like GameStop, or a chain discount store like Wal-Mart. A hidden treasure trove of deals is available though for those willing to work a little harder: Goodwill Thrift Stores. Goodwill thrives on donations from local individuals and retailers, and you never know what deals you’ll find. Plus, by shopping at Goodwill you are making a difference in your community, as Goodwill is a nonprofit organization which uses over 83% of money earned to find jobs for people who can’t get one on their own.

Today (February 1, 2008) at my local Goodwill I came across $10 copies of the PC version of Stranglehold. They were accompanied by assorted Xbox 360 and PS3 titles like Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Forza Motorsport 2. All were brand new in their original wrapping. I asked a clerk about them as she assisted another shopper (who wanted a copy of Stranglehold), and she said that often retailers like Target, Sears or JC Penny will send overstock items as donations.

The locked, glass case held other treasures. There was a used $6.99 Action Replay DS, a set of new $2.99 AV cords for a PSP 2000 model and a $19.99 PSP 2GB memory card which was quickly snapped up by another shopper. A lower shelf held classic console titles, like a copy of Pitfall for the Atari 2600 in its original box, a bit battered and dusty but still sound.

There’s a key to smart Goodwill shopping. First, go in with low expectations - you never know if there will be something worthwhile. Second, know what the games and accessories normally cost and go with name brands. Third, check the glass game case by the checkouts, electronics and the CD section, because sometimes computer games or additional accessories can be misplaced. Fourth, if you find a classic console in the electronics section, try it (if possible) before you buy it. Finally, keep checking back - most Goodwill stores have donation centers attached and the employees are constantly restocking the store.

Read [Saving Advice.com] Site [Shop Goodwill] Product Page [Shop Goodwill: Gaming Systems and Games]