eBay VS. Craigslist VS. flea markets DEATHMATCH!

[BAD PIXEL]

Just thought I'd throw out a question here. Which do you have better luck with? eBay, flea markets, garage sales or Craigslist?

I've mostly used eBay to track down decent deals, but have been checking out Craigslist lately and trying to find some flea markets / garage sales. Seems like eBay is a lot more consistent, easier to research, but at times, some of the Craigslist posts seem like ridiculously great deals - like the people don't even know what they are selling. The same goes with garage sales.

Also, is there a higher ratio of scamming on one or another, in your personal experience? (I'm just thinking Craigslist and/or flea markets could have more scams, as there is no "feedback" score - but then again, you usually check out items first with Craigslist, flea markets, etc and can check condition, operability, etc. in person).

In your experience, what rocks, what sucks about each? What've you had the most luck with?

[gtmtnbiker]

Craigslist for me. Ebay, I never find great deals but fair deals are common. I don't usually go to flea markets/garage sales but I probably should.

[brickiemart]

The problem with my local Flea Market is that I know what their stock is. Yes, I'm sure it changes, but not too dramatically. Craigslist is something I should keep a closer eye on. I got my Turbo Duo through there about two years ago for a great price. Usually I go to a local used bookstore which has a healthy used game section going back to the 8-bit NES or I keep an eye out on game forums like this that have a Buy/Sell/Trade section.

Ebay is good if you really want something, it can just get expensive and annoying having to wait for the item to end.

[jfe2]

I've got most of my deals at flea markets, but I have also got a couple of good deals from eBay on occasion. People in my area always overprice stuff on craigslist for whatever reason.

[Ack]

eBay, sadly. There are no flea markets I've discovered that are worthwhile, and Craigslist here is an absolute joke.

[Bootaaay]

I've found a few items at boot sales, and ebay is good for finding rare stuff (just not so much for finding good deals) - the best deals i've gotten have been through trading with people on the shmups.com forum.

[isaacsquared]

Craigslist for the most part. eBay isn't the best place to find deals-everyone else looks for them there too, but they can be had occasionally. Not too many good thrift stores or flea markets around here. The ones that do have videogame stuff charge too much for it ($40 for a Genesis, $35 for a PSX, etc.), and never have games.

[izdead]

you forgot to mention goodwill.

For me I find the best deals at the flea market. Whats great about it is there about four or five video game vendors who go there almost every weekend, and they usually have really fair prices. Then there are the random people who are just getting rid of stuff and charge little to nothing for games.

I also get a lot of good deals off amazon, it just takes a long time. I'll make a wish list, then check it periodically and wait for prices to drop. A little over a week ago I saw earthbound on there for $50.

[darthmunky]

Well, since the is no Craigslist for my city, I use Kijiji, which is basically the same thing. The Flea Markets I go to have good deals but they hardly ever have anything I REALLY want. I went to a giant flea market in the summer where I saw Earthbound, EVO, Dragon Warrior 4, and pretty much every rare game but they were all at least 100$. I haven't ever found games at a garage sale. So, I'm gonna say eBay. That is where I've gotten most of my games. Its not that the deals are the best, but you find the best stuff there.

[h8b1llg8ts]

Surprisingly it's been Amazon lately. No last minute snipe, stupid sellers, and worse Paypal. Just a straight credit card.

The only thing I don't like is not seeing what I buy but I'm very careful on reading descriptions and seller feedback. I have purchased about 15 games in the last month and only once did I something go wrong. I ordered Conker Live and Reloaded NEW but NEW from this brand new seller was cheaper then one used. I took the chance and it was rewraped but complete. Filled a complaint thinking I would get partial refund but Amazon gave me full refund no questions asked. So free game and lying seller was out $22.

But yes, Ebay for the harder to find games and mostly PS1 because I'm black label an*l when it comes to my collection. But anything last gen Amazon is now my home. Sadly, I'm about 99% complete with my last gen collection anyways ...