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Advice and tips on buying and selling between private individuals

Tips before buying a second-hand video game!

According to DFC Intelligence, there are 3.2 billion gamers worldwide, the majority of them playing games on their mobile phones. The most popular games include shooters, action and adventure games. However, this booming market is under threat from fraudsters who are constantly replicating these games to make a profit. They offer you games at a lower price on second-hand sales platforms, making you believe that you are looking at the deal of the century, when in fact you are being ripped off. This practice can be advantageous in terms of savings, but it's important to take certain precautions to avoid scams. That's why, in this article, we're revealing all our tips for buying second-hand video games.

The seller:

The first thing we recommend is that you buy from reputable sellers. When you buy second-hand video games, it's essential that the seller you deal with is reliable.

To do this, check every comment and rating on the seller's profile to get an idea of the quality of service they offer. Even if their other sales don't involve video games, it's always worth looking at all the reviews to get an idea of the person.

It is also important not to buy from sellers with no known reputation. If you buy from an unknown seller, you run the risk of ending up with a defective or poor-quality game, or even never receiving the product you bought.

Quality:

You should also pay particular attention to the quality of the video game before you buy it. This is particularly important if you are buying a game on a disc, as there may be scratches, cracks or other damage that could affect the quality of the game.

To check its condition, don't hesitate to ask for additional photos. If the seller refuses to provide you with any, start to get suspicious about the authenticity of the video game.

If you have any doubts about the condition of a video game, it is best not to buy it or to ask for more information before making a purchasing decision. Damaged games may have playback problems and may not function properly, which can make the gaming experience less enjoyable.

Console compatibility :

You should also check that the game you want to buy is compatible with your console. It would be unfortunate if the game sold did not work on the console you have. Video games are designed to run on specific consoles, and a game designed for one console will not work on another.

To do this, analyse the label on the game to see if it is intended for the console you own. This point is regularly included in the description of the advert on the second-hand goods website. If it's not there, ask the seller.

If you are buying a second-hand game for an older console, it is also important to check that the console is still in good working order and that it is compatible with older games. Some games may require additional updates or downloads to run on newer consoles.

Scams :

When it comes to buying second-hand video games, it's important to use caution and common sense to avoid scams. So be careful with offers that seem too good to be true.

If the price of a second-hand game is much lower than the market price, this may be a sign of scamming. In many cases, unscrupulous sellers offer used video games at very low prices to attract potential buyers, but they may not be able to deliver the product or provide a quality product.

Buy your used video game with Obvy :

If you want to buy your second-hand video game on resale platforms such as Leboncoin or Vinted, we advise you to use Obvy to secure your transaction.

With Obvy as a secure payment method between private individuals, you can avoid scams easily thanks to the escrow system, which keeps the transaction money safe in a safe until the transaction is finalised. Once you've received the parcel, you have 72 hours to confirm the authenticity of your second-hand bag. If necessary, you will be reimbursed without difficulty.