Collecting and buying board games is a bit like getting your first tattoo. You don’t know what you are doing, odds are you’ll invest in something silly, and you’ll feel obligated to show it off. After a bit, you’ll get a hankering to get another one (be it a board game, tattoo or even both) and the next thing you know, you’ve spent a small fortune on that which you love. I can think of worse ways to spend your money (I’m looking at you, Hummel figurine collectors), but it’s rather sobering to get an estimated financial value on what you have collected so far. And by “rather” I mean, “HOLY COW, I’VE SPENT HOW MUCH?!?!?”
BGGTools.com will review what games you have noted as “owned” on Board Game Geek and then estimate your current collections bulk worth. It’ll then display a very nice report you can hide from your significant other, offer to your insurance agent, or simply mourn over. It’ll also run a report on your Want List, Wish List, and For Trade List, which is a neat way to see how much you need to save, want to spend, and determine a game’s overall market value.
I ran it on myself and I gotta tell yeah…wow. Talk about a “cry for help”.
Sadly, there is no “privacy” provided with the tool. You can run the report using any person’s Board Game Geek User ID (which I’m not terribly fond of), but the tool is pretty gosh darn (excuse the language) awesome. Give it a try. I did and all I can say is that I’m surprised my wife hasn’t taken my wallet.
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I have a board game that’s never been opened. West Virginia tourist toss up the geography game is what it is called. It was made in 1977 at the Walsworth publishing company in Marceline Missouri(Walt Disney boyhood home). The authors name is David A. Bise. What is this game worth?
Greetings, Allan.
Your game’s worth is going to be fully dependent on it’s perceived value by those who collect such games. I have no doubt you could find individuals interested in collecting West Virginia memorabilia or geography games by doing a quick search on eBay.
I have a Switch 16 board game that say Exclusively to Woolworths.. .do you think this could be worth more than ordinary Switch 16 games?
The value of anything is based on its perceived worth. You might think that a rookie baseball card is worth gold, while another individual will just see a piece of cardboard. When it comes to selling games, its value is often determined by three important criteria.
Games that are very popular and hard to find will often be wanted, regardless of its condition. Heroscape, for example, is a game people buy even when it isn’t complete. Games that are in excellent condition, but not popular will seldom be wanted. Oddly enough, games that are rare, regardless of their popularity, have a small group of collectors who are willing to pay big bucks for them. For example, the first printing of Monopoloy.
I suggest you look to eBay and Board Game Geek to determine if the game is worth selling, trading, or donating. In the end, the game’s worth will be determine by what a buyer is willing to pay.
Hi, I have a Franklin Mint collectors edition civil war stratego game. From what I can tell, this game was never officially released. I have tried to look up what the value might be but no luck on that front. Wondering if you have any suggestions for how/where I might sell it and find an approximate value (understanding that the value is only what someone is willing to pay for it).
Holy cow…
The Franklin Mint’s “special edition” games are well known by game collectors, but none are as coveted as the Civil War Stratego game. For those readers who do not know anything about this game, read this brief summary.
Here’s the thing… I have no idea what the value would be other than “a lot”. What I can tell you is that the purchaser of the game, IF you decide to sell it, will most likely not be a game collector per se. They will most likely be a Civil War memorabilia collector. Which is not to say you won’t have board game collectors willing to throw money at you. This is a very rare edition of the game with an exceedingly small number of high quality prints. And, as you said, it was never officially released. That will be very appealing to many collectors because of its high production value, it’s rarity, and possibly its condition (if you haven’t been too rough with it).
If you really want to get a good price, I suggest you take this game to an appraiser. Seriously. This game is rare. I would NOT simply go to eBay and post it.
Good luck!
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I have some old and not so old games in original boxes with all the pieces and instructions. I am trying to value them and donate them to a game museum. Can you give me any guidance on respected game museums that might also give ;me a value for donation purposes. patricia.bliss@comcast.net
Sorry, no. The tool estimates the game collection’s value, but not its overall worth to possible buyers. Ultimately, a game’s worth is going to be determined by the person who wants to buy it, which might or might be what you think the game is worth.
Value is determined by a game’s market price and demand. It’s the sticker on the box that tells you how much you are going to pay.
Worth is determined by an individual’s subjective opinion on how important something is. Think “wants” and “needs”.
I suggest you take the game to a professional appraiser who specializes in toys and games, ask them what the game’s value is, and then approach a museum. I would be surprised if the museum didn’t have someone on staff who would like to appraise the game as well. If they want the game, they’ll make you an offer. After that, it’s just a matter of arriving at a price everyone agrees to. GOOD LUCK!
Hi I have the board game rap rat can find it on eBay or anywhere else any ideas on worth?
Sorry, no. The “value” of the game is determined by its current popularity and availability. I quoted “value” since it is difficult to determine anything when nostalgia and popular culture is involved.
Hi,
I’m just trying to find out if my board game is worth anything before I sell it off. It is an early learning centre game called the “shopping game” it is made in spain but unfortunately I can’t find a date. Any info would be greatfully appreciated.
Thanks in advance
kim
Greetings, Kim.
The value of the game in question is directly proportional to what the market believes it to be. That is, the game is worthless unless someone wants to pay you money for it. What you need to do is find “that person” by targeting the market the game was originally meant for, but you first need to determine a good price point. I suggest you search eBay for the game and see what it is going for. Then try Board Game Geek. If the game is not listed or is listed too low, keep it for a while. It might increase in value, but the odds of that happening are slim. You can also take your game to a local convention and add it to an auction.
Good luck!
I have a copy of Newbie games Brer fox and Brer rabbit. Believe From around 1920. My great uncle worked there and all staff were given a copy. Any idea how much this would be valued at
Sorry, no. I would investigate to see if it is listed on eBay and on Board Game Geek.
Hi Kim, I’m looking for the shopping game but can’t find it anywhere!! Have you decided to sell it online somewhere?
I have a Monopoly board game dated 1946, the Pennsylvania Ave, North Carolina Avenue, and Pacific Avenue are yellow instead of green. Is there any reason for this the cards are green.
From what little I could find, it would appear that the color variation is due to the printing of the board, and nothing more. It should be green, but the ink faded to yellow. I was unable to determine if that specific coloring made the game more popular or not.
Hi
I’ve got a copy of the game. Scrabble Alfreds other game. Any idea what its worth.
Thanks Damian
Sorry, no. In most cases, the price of the game, if it is no longer widely available, can be determined by looking on eBay. You can always take the game to be appraised, as well.
I recently aquired a chess set and only name on box is Briquet Le Beau Jouet Modeliame MONS. It looks hand made. My dad was stationed in Belgium during Vietnam and brought it back with him. Looking for an approximate value. Thank you.
Sorry, I have no idea where a value for such a set could be found. I suggest you take it to a dealer or an appraiser.