So you want to know how to sell your board game?
Maybe you’ve got a collection that’s outgrown your shelf space. Or perhaps you’ve inherited games you’ll never play. Either way, you’re sitting on potential cash that’s just collecting dust.
Here’s the thing:
Selling board games online is actually pretty straightforward once you know the right steps.
In fact, I’ve helped countless game enthusiasts turn their unused collections into cold, hard cash using the exact strategies I’m about to share with you.
Today, as a professional custom board game manufacturer, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about how to sell your board game effectively in 2025.
Let’s dive right in.
Why Sell Your Board Games?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why selling your games makes sense.
The board game industry is absolutely booming right now. We’re talking about a multi-billion dollar market with passionate collectors who are actively hunting for specific titles.
That means:
Your unused games could be worth serious money to the right buyer.
Plus, decluttering your collection frees up space for games you’ll actually play. It’s a win-win situation.
How to Sell Your Board Game?
Step 1: Choose the Right Platform to Sell Your Games
Here’s where most people mess up:
They pick the wrong selling platform and wonder why their games aren’t moving.
Not all marketplaces are created equal. Some cater to casual buyers, while others attract serious collectors willing to pay premium prices.
BGG GeekMarket (Recommended for Beginners)
If you’re new to selling games online, start with BoardGameGeek’s GeekMarket.
Why?
The buyers here actually know what they’re buying. They’re not going to give you grief about a slightly worn box corner or complain that they don’t understand the rules.
Pros:
- Only 3% selling fee
- Knowledgeable buyers
- Less fraud risk
- Built-in community trust
Cons:
- Smaller audience than eBay
- Takes longer to sell
eBay (For Maximum Exposure)
eBay gives you access to millions of potential buyers worldwide.
But here’s the catch:
Many eBay buyers don’t understand board games. They might return a perfectly good expansion because they thought it was the base game.
Pros:
- Massive audience
- Quick sales potential
- Auction format available
Cons:
- High fees (13.25% + $0.30)
- Higher fraud risk
- More customer service headaches
Amazon (Only for Popular Titles)
Amazon is extremely tough for individual sellers.
The platform heavily favors customers in disputes, and you’ll deal with significant fraud. I’d only recommend Amazon if you’re liquidating popular, newer titles in bulk.
Bottom line?
Start with BGG GeekMarket for your first few sales. Once you get comfortable with the process, you can expand to other platforms.
Step 2: Assess Your Game’s Condition and Value
This step is absolutely critical.
Price your games wrong, and they’ll sit unsold forever. Price them too low, and you’re leaving money on the table.
Understanding Game Conditions
Board game marketplaces use specific condition ratings:
New: Still in shrink wrap, never opened
Like New: Opened but shows no wear
Very Good: Minimal wear, all components present
Good: Minor damage, components intact
Acceptable: Some damage but playable
Pro Tip: When in doubt, go with the lower condition rating. It’s better to underpromise and overdeliver than deal with angry buyers.
Researching Current Prices
Here’s my exact process for pricing games:
- Check current BGG GeekMarket listings for your specific game
- Sort by price (lowest first) and ignore obvious outliers
- Review the price history to see what similar condition copies actually sold for
- Compare to retail prices using Board Game Oracle
For games still in print, start at about 60-70% of retail price for used copies in good condition.
For out-of-print games, you might be sitting on a goldmine. Some rare titles sell for 5-10x their original retail price.
Step 3: Take Quality Photos (Optional but Recommended)
You don’t need professional photography, but good photos sell games faster.
Here’s what works:
- Use natural lighting or a bright room
- Show the box cover clearly
- Display all components spread out neatly
- Highlight any damage honestly
- Include close-ups of key components like boards and cards
I use this simple Gmail trick to transfer photos from my phone to computer:
- Compose an email to yourself in the Gmail app
- Attach all your photos
- Save as draft (don’t send)
- Open the draft on your computer and download the attachments
Works like a charm.
Step 4: Write Compelling Listings
Your listing description can make or break a sale.
Here’s my template that converts:
Start with the basics:
- Game title and edition
- Publisher and year
- Condition rating
- Number of times played
Add selling points:
- Why you’re selling
- Any extras included
- Storage method (sleeved cards, organized components, etc.)
Be honest about flaws:
- Box wear
- Missing components
- Component condition
Example:
“Selling my copy of Wingspan (Stonemaier Games, 2019). Played maybe 5 times total. All components present and cards are sleeved. Box has minor shelf wear on corners but otherwise excellent condition. Includes the Swift-Start pack. Smoke-free home.”
Step 5: Handle Shipping Like a Pro
Shipping is where many sellers lose money or damage their reputation.
Get Your Shipping Materials Ready
You’ll need:
- Various box sizes
- Bubble wrap or packing paper
- Packing tape
- Scale for weighing packages
Pro Tip: Hit up local stores during restocking hours for free boxes. Pharmacies and small grocery stores are goldmines.
Calculate Shipping Costs Accurately
Never guess at shipping costs. Always weigh your packaged game and use actual carrier rates.
For most board games, you’re looking at:
- Small games: $5-8 via USPS
- Medium games: $8-15 via USPS
- Large games: $15-25+ (consider UPS/FedEx)
Pack for Protection
Board game boxes are surprisingly fragile. Here’s how I pack them:
- Wrap the game box in bubble wrap or paper
- Use a shipping box that’s 2-3 inches larger on all sides
- Fill empty space with packing material
- Protect corners especially – they’re damage magnets
Step 6: Maximize Your Success Rate
Want to sell games faster and for better prices? Here are my advanced tips:
Timing Matters
List games during peak browsing times:
- Sunday evenings for weekly traffic
- January-February when people have gift cards to spend
- September-October before holiday shopping
Bundle Strategically
Group related games or less popular titles with hot sellers. A mediocre game bundled with a sought-after title moves much faster.
Build Your Reputation
Start with lower-value games to build feedback scores. Positive ratings lead to faster sales and higher prices on premium items.
Consider Local Sales
Don’t overlook:
- Facebook Marketplace for no-shipping sales
- Craigslist for bulk collections
- Local game stores that buy used games
- Gaming conventions with flea markets
Step 7: Alternative Selling Methods
Sometimes traditional marketplaces aren’t the best fit.
Sell to Dealers
Game dealers will buy entire collections, but expect wholesale prices (30-50% of retail).
This works great when:
- You have hundreds of games
- You want cash immediately
- You don’t want to deal with individual sales
Math Trades
Popular at gaming conventions, math trades let you swap games for other games rather than cash.
Crowdfunding Platforms
If you’re a game designer, platforms like Kickstarter and Gamefound have revolutionized how creators bring games to market.
But that’s a whole different beast requiring marketing expertise, production knowledge, and significant upfront investment.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
After helping dozens of people sell their collections, I see the same mistakes over and over:
Pricing too high: Your emotional attachment doesn’t equal market value
Poor photos: Blurry, dark images kill sales
Incomplete descriptions: Missing details create buyer hesitation
Bad shipping: Damaged games lead to negative feedback
Wrong platform: Selling collectibles on mass-market sites
The Reality Check
Let’s be honest about expectations.
Unless you have rare, out-of-print titles, you’re probably looking at 40-60% of retail value for used games in good condition.
That might sting, but remember:
- You’re decluttering valuable space
- Getting immediate cash vs. storage costs
- Someone else will actually enjoy these games
Tools and Resources
Here are the tools I use for selling games:
- Board Game Oracle: Price comparison across retailers
- BGG GeekMarket: Primary selling platform
- BGG Price History: Historical sales data
- PayPal: Secure payment processing
- PirateShip: Discounted shipping labels
Taking Action
Now you know exactly how to sell your board game collection effectively.
The key is starting with one or two games to get comfortable with the process. Don’t try to list your entire collection at once.
Pick a game you definitely won’t play again, follow the steps above, and make your first sale.
Once you see how straightforward it is, you can scale up and tackle larger portions of your collection.
Remember: every game sitting unplayed on your shelf is money that could be in your pocket instead.
So what are you waiting for? Go grab that dusty copy of whatever’s been staring at you from your shelf, and let’s turn it into cash using everything you now know about how to sell your board game.
