The story of a boy and his quest for a PS2.

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All right, so here's the procedure.

I'm moving out of the house about this time next year. I wanted to get my own DVD player for me and my girlfriend's dorm (my dad will be enforcing the I am going to take back everything in your room that is mine rule), and wanted to buy an old 'crappy' system with a ton of good games.

The PS2 stuck out at me immediately. Good system, still runs alongside most systems these days, and not too shabby on the DVD playback front. Killing two birds with one stone.

So I'll be traveling to Gamestop tomorrow (or the day after) to pick one up. Only problem is, I'll be trading in a shitload of my old DS games for it. I know this is bad math, since they heinously undercut you on trade in value, but it's really my only option since the only money I have I'm putting into this thing. $30.70 to be exact. A small fortune when you look at my past savings record.

So now we come to the butt of the problem. The tradeback value. I'll be purchasing an Edge card with fifteen dollars, which will give me an additional 10% of tradeback value. Additionally, it'll cut off 10% when I buy the used PS2 and all its used games. Keep in mind that I've already checked with the store and they have everything I want, assuming that the prices are the same as they are online.

Here's the stuff I'm trading back, with my estimates of the instore credit I'll be recieving. This is what I need help with: are my estimates good or no?

(There's also an offer going on until the 31st: Trade in any 3 DS/Wii/360/PS3 games and get +$10 added onto your credit. That'll explain the +$20 I add on before I get on to the wants section.)

Game - Gamestop Used Selling Price (Possible Tradein Credit)

Owned:
GameCube- 29.99 ($10)
Custom Robo - 9.99 ($3-$5)
Fight Night R2- 9.99 ($3-$5)
Metroid Prime - 6.99 ($3)
F-Zero GX - ??? ($3)
Metroid Prime 2 - 14.99 ($5-$7)
DK Bongos - 2.99 (~$1)
GC Controller - 19.99 (~$1)

BioShock - 19.99 (~$8-$10)
Zoo Tycoon 2 Ultimate Collection - 39.99 ($10-$20)
Fallout 3 - ($20-$25)

Pokemon Diamond - 29.99 (~$10-$15)
Madden 08 - 17.99 ($6-$9) [it was a christmas present, shut up, i know DS sport games are awful]
Super Mario 64 26.99 -($10-$13)
Metroid Prime Hunters - 24.99 ($10-$12)
Polarium - 4.99 (<$2)

Pokemon Battle Revolution 44.99 ($18-$22)
____________________________________________

Minimum Trade in Value (w/o Fallout) $112
Minimum Trade in Value (w Fallout) $132
Maximum Trade In Value (w/o Fallout) $143
Maximum Trade In Value (w Fallout) $163

Conservative Estimate (with Fallout) $137.50
+$20 for 3 DS Games and 2 DS games + 1 PC Game
+10% for Edge Card
+$15 leftover

Conservative Estimate $188.20

Purchasing:
PS2 - 69.99
Memory Card - 14.99
Controller- 6.99
Final Fantasy X - 12.99
Twisted Metal Black- 6.99
Megaman X Collection - 19.99
_______________________________

Subtotal: $131.94
Total: $145.13

-10% for Edge Card, I think. I didn't factor in the 10% for the card into that last total so it should be around $131 or whatever it was before tax.

Am I being too generous with what Gamestop's gonna give me, or should I be planning on spending more?

By the way, don't mention a PS3, I don't have the patience to wait for the money for it and I don't want it personally.

I might upgrade to the PS2 slim if I have enough left over for that and another game. I haven't decided yet.

Any help is much obliged. <3
 
i could be wrong but i'm pretty sure you'll only be able to get a slim

the original clunky ps2's are extremely hard to find, at least from what i've found.
 
I have to agree with Glen, PS2 on their normal version are a really rare sight nowadays, even in Mexico (where we have the Barrio Bravo Tepito, where you can find most stuff) it is a bit hard to find one
 
ffx sucks, don't waste your time. that saves you $13

edit: oh its store credit, forget eBay then
 
NA means I couldn't get a price:
GCN System - $12 (4/2/09)
Custom Robo - NA
Fight Night Round 2 - NA
Metroid Prime - $2 (4/11/09)
F-Zero GX - $2 (3/23/09)
Metroid Prime 2 - $4.25 (4/4/09)
DK Bongos - NA
GCN first party Controller - $7.25 (3/23/09)

Bioshock - NA
Zoo Tycoon 2 Ultimate Collection - NA
Fallout 3 - NA

Pokemon Diamond - $10 (3/26/09)
Madden 08 - NA
Super Mario 64 - $10.75 (4/26/09)
Metroid Prime Hunters - $7.75 (4/20/09)
Polarium - $0.75 (2/26/09)

Pokemon Battle Revolution - $17 (3/6/09)

Additionally, for every 3 DS/Wii game over $1 that you trade in, you'll get a $10 bonus (promotion ends at the end of the month)

And use this coupon on one of the used games or accessories:
nb_welcome_used1bc_060509.jpg
 
BioShock - 19.99 (~$8-$10)
Zoo Tycoon 2 Ultimate Collection - 39.99 ($10-$20)
Fallout 3 - ($20-$25)

Are these computer games? The Zoo Tycoon 2 makes me think they are. If so, I'm pretty sure you're out of luck, since Gamestop doesn't take trade-ins on PC games.

Also, the EDGE card doesn't work on Used systems, so that means you won't get 10% off on the PS2 itself.
 
Honestly, can't you craigslist or something. GameStop USA is absolutely horrid. Or maybe see how much GameCrazy will give you? GameRush? FYE? Drive up to Canada?
 
Personally I'd sell it all on ebay and buy a new ps2. Never buy a ps2 from ebay because they're all DISC READ ERROR LOL
 
...Fuck. That's probably what I'll end up doing then I guess. Well this bites.

Thanks for the help, everybody. ._.

edit is craigslist at least reliable? like am I going to be able to sell it all
 
I have found CL to be very reliable in all cases. My roommate just bought a goddamned boat off CL, I'm pretty sure you can find tons of worthwhile PS2s.

Be careful about playing DVDs on them, though... it burns out the motor. I'm on my 2nd PS2 due to that.
 
Hey man. I used to work at Gamestop, so I can tell you, don't expect much for a lot of the games when you trade in. It sucks how much they rip you off when selling. I'll give my best estimates for what you'll get in terms of trade-in. (mine are bolded.)


Owned:
GameCube- 29.99 ($10) ($10)
Custom Robo - 9.99 ($3-$5) (>$2)
Fight Night R2- 9.99 ($3-$5) (>$2)
Metroid Prime - 6.99 ($3) ($2)
F-Zero GX - ??? ($3) ($2-3)
Metroid Prime 2 - 14.99 ($5-$7) ($4-6)
DK Bongos - 2.99 (~$1) Agree
GC Controller - 19.99 (~$1) (depends. Could get more.)

BioShock - 19.99 (~$8-$10) ($4-$6)
Zoo Tycoon 2 Ultimate Collection - 39.99 ($10-$20) (Is this PC? They Don't take PC Trade ins. If not, $8-$15?)
Fallout 3 - ($20-$25)

Pokemon Diamond - 29.99 (~$10-$15) ($8 - 13)
Madden 08 - 17.99 ($6-$9) [it was a christmas present, shut up, i know DS sport games are awful] ($3-$7)
Super Mario 64 26.99 -($10-$13) (64 DS I'm assuming. $5-$9)
Metroid Prime Hunters - 24.99 ($10-$12) ($7-$10)
Polarium - 4.99 (<$2) (>$1)

Pokemon Battle Revolution 44.99 ($18-$22) ($10-$18)


Now, I'm no expert at this, but these are my estimates. If you did your own research for trade-in value, totally disregard this, but be prepared to get shafted... It could happen.

Also, Craigslist might not be a bad place to look. You can find people selling REALLY inexpensive bundles of PS2s and stuff. I recomend you look around there a bit before going to Gamestop. If not, try not to miss the trade in opportunity, it'll be worth it.
 
Hey man. I used to work at Gamestop, so I can tell you, don't expect much for a lot of the games when you trade in. It sucks how much they rip you off when selling. I'll give my best estimates for what you'll get in terms of trade-in. (mine are bolded.)


Owned:
GameCube- 29.99 ($10) ($10)
Custom Robo - 9.99 ($3-$5) (>$2)
Fight Night R2- 9.99 ($3-$5) (>$2)
Metroid Prime - 6.99 ($3) ($2)
F-Zero GX - ??? ($3) ($2-3)
Metroid Prime 2 - 14.99 ($5-$7) ($4-6)
DK Bongos - 2.99 (~$1) Agree
GC Controller - 19.99 (~$1) (depends. Could get more.)

BioShock - 19.99 (~$8-$10) ($4-$6)
Zoo Tycoon 2 Ultimate Collection - 39.99 ($10-$20) (Is this PC? They Don't take PC Trade ins. If not, $8-$15?)
Fallout 3 - ($20-$25)

Pokemon Diamond - 29.99 (~$10-$15) ($8 - 13)
Madden 08 - 17.99 ($6-$9) [it was a christmas present, shut up, i know DS sport games are awful] ($3-$7)
Super Mario 64 26.99 -($10-$13) (64 DS I'm assuming. $5-$9)
Metroid Prime Hunters - 24.99 ($10-$12) ($7-$10)
Polarium - 4.99 (<$2) (>$1)

Pokemon Battle Revolution 44.99 ($18-$22) ($10-$18)


Now, I'm no expert at this, but these are my estimates. If you did your own research for trade-in value, totally disregard this, but be prepared to get shafted... It could happen.

Also, Craigslist might not be a bad place to look. You can find people selling REALLY inexpensive bundles of PS2s and stuff. I recomend you look around there a bit before going to Gamestop. If not, try not to miss the trade in opportunity, it'll be worth it.

Taking this into account, and after realizing that A) GStop does not take PC games, not mine anyway, and B) my friend Taylor loaned me her Edge card, it comes out to about $97 (with MY money added in since I don't need to spend fifteen on an edge card now). If I take the maximum, that's around $125. I'm gonna take a conservative estimate of about $110 here.

PS2 79.99
Memory Card (If I can afford it; if not my dad might get it for me) 14.99
TMB 6.99
FFX 12.99 (-10% that's 11.79 woo!)

$113.76
+ tax = ~$124.00

A little overdrawn. I won't buy one of those games if I have to; I have TM4 at home and that should hold me over for awhile until I can get enough for TMB; I just applied at the library.

So I guess that's that. Craigslist isn't really an option here unfortunately; my mom doesn't want people coming to the house. I asked. =/

Wish me luck, I'm going tomorrow.
 
Don't do house. Like I said, meet up at a mall, park, or other public place. Use a trading forum if you're willing to ship.
 
Getting a slim is by far a greater investment. GameStop sells those at $10 more, but in comparison are a completely different system. Used clunky ones usually go bad within 2 months, unfortunately on the other side of the warranty. I think that you're being a little too generous with a few of the games, but most of them look about right. Even on Craigslist, if you have to pay a little more for the slim, go for it. It's definitely more worth it. Take this from someone who has also gone through an epic quest of tragedy and redemption regarding the PS2.

And use this coupon on one of the used games or accessories:
nb_welcome_used1bc_060509.jpg
Woah, that's pretty cool. You sure it's from GameStop? If moot decides to get it from GS after all, would he be able to use it on the PS2 itself? It does say "purchase", not game, but the star is always evil. Always.

If he does use it, would I be able to use it too, or is it one time use? Where can I get one? D:
 
Ummm, yeah, like I said in my previous post, I'm pretty sure the EDGE card doesn't work on used systems. That means that you would really only save ~$3.50 overall.

Not a huge deal, but you seem to really be scraping by, so I figured it was worth repeating.
 
Ummm, yeah, like I said in my previous post, I'm pretty sure the EDGE card doesn't work on used systems. That means that you would really only save ~$3.50 overall.

Not a huge deal, but you seem to really be scraping by, so I figured it was worth repeating.

I took that into account just in case.

A quick recount:

Trade-in value $66.00-$84.00
EDGE Bonus $6.60-$8.40
DS Bonus Offer $10.00
Cash $37.00
------------------------------------------
Total spending: $119.60-$139.40
Mean spending: $129.50

PS2 Slim $79.99
---------------------------------
Subtotal: $79.99
---------------------------------
Twisted Metal Black $6.99
Final Fantasy X $12.99
Email Discount -$ 2.00
EDGE Discount -$ 1.80
---------------------------------
Subtotal: $96.17
Tax $ 8.66
---------------------------------
Total $104.83

Please please please check my math. I am going today, after school and drivers ed; I'll be able to check this thread again at two. Any help and I will love you oh so much.

(There's no memory card on the transaction; I got a free one from my friend. Bonus!)
 
That's it! I got it all, with enough left over for Kingdom Hearts and fifteen dollars to spare. Thanks for the help, everybody!

Requesting a lock now that the issue is complete.
 
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