Video Game Store Robs Customer

The realm of retro gaming, teeming with nostalgia, offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of the video game industry, while also holding potentially lucrative opportunities for collectors. From the original NES to the special edition Nintendo 64 and the many memorable games from these eras, there is a substantial community of enthusiasts willing to invest in these cherished pieces of gaming history.

He seems fine about what went down

In a recent event that gained significant online traction, a man traded a collection of vintage Nintendo items for a Tears of the Kingdom edition Nintendo Switch. The transaction, documented in a video posted below from Twitter on May 24, showcases an array of retro Nintendo artifacts.

The traded items included a Japanese Orange Pikachu Nintendo 64, an NES Action Set, and some of the most celebrated N64 games such as Goldeneye 007 and Mario Kart 64. All the items were still in their original boxes, bringing their combined worth to roughly $1,124 (or more), according to estimations from pricecharting.com.

The store employee facilitating the exchange noted in the video that the customer opted to trade his vintage collection for a new Zelda Switch, receiving a payout of $700. Though it remains unclear if the entire $700 was allocated towards the Tears of the Kingdom edition Nintendo Switch OLED, the customer was evidently satisfied with the arrangement.

I've seen a lot of folks up in arms about this trade, calling it unfair or a rip-off. But really, when you get down to it, this was a straight-up deal. Both parties came to the table, took a good look at what was on offer, and said, "Yep, I'm good with this." And you know what? That's how business works.

Here's the thing - value isn't some universal constant that's the same for everybody. We all value things differently, based on what we want, what we need, and what we like. For this guy, getting his hands on that brand new Tears of the Kingdom edition Nintendo Switch OLED was worth more than hanging onto a bunch of old Nintendo gear. Maybe he's a big Zelda fan. Maybe he just wanted to experience gaming on the latest console. Whatever his reason, he walked away from that trade feeling happy with his decision.

On the flip side, the store saw a bunch of vintage items that they knew some hardcore collector out there would be thrilled to find. They made the trade because they saw the potential value in it. And that's their job, right? They're there to find those hidden treasures and get them into the hands of people who really appreciate them.

The value of an item is ultimately what someone is willing to pay for it. In this case, the customer valued the new gaming experience provided by the Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch more than his vintage collection. This, in essence, is the basis of a consensual transaction and the driving force of commerce.

A look at a sold listing on eBay from that N64 Pikachu edition

Reflecting on the financials, it's worth noting that if the customer had chosen to sell the items individually on a platform such as eBay, he could have potentially made around $1,124. However, considering the standard 13% fee that eBay applies, this would result in a net profit of around $970. This would indeed mean he lost potential profit in the region of $277 in the store trade-in, compared to a hypothetical online sale.

Lots of people have been number-crunching on this, saying that he could've gotten around $970 for his old gear if he sold it on eBay or some other online marketplace. They're looking at that difference between what he got and what he "could have got," and they're saying he got short-changed. But let's be honest, it's not always that simple.

Selling stuff online isn't just about listing it and watching the cash roll in. There's a lot more to it than that. First off, you've got to package everything up nice and safe so it doesn't get damaged in transit. That takes time, effort, and even a bit of money. And even then, there's no guarantee that something won't go wrong during shipping. Plus, let's not forget about those buyers out there who are all too happy to try and game the system.

When you sell privately, whether that's on eBay or anywhere else, you're taking on all of those risks. You might get a bit more money in your pocket at the end of the day, sure. But you've got to ask yourself: is it worth the hassle?

This guy here decided that it wasn't. He saw an opportunity to get something he wanted, right then and there, without any of the hassles or risks of selling online. And you know what, I can't blame him. Sometimes, taking a sure thing, even if it's a little less than the potential maximum, is the smart move. So before we judge, let's remember that there's more to consider here than just the final dollar amount.

So, was it a big loss for the guy - as in, a 'Video Game Store Robs Customer'? Or was it a savvy move by the store? Honestly, I'd say it's neither. It was just a simple exchange where both parties walked away feeling they got the better end of the deal. And that's just how it goes sometimes.

~Smash