Facebook Video Game Collectors Groups Discussion

[Tulpa | 3,520]

57 minutes ago, Code Monkey said:

If you know where I can go to buy items that only come up for sale once a decade, let me know. I want the weirdest of the weird.

That kind of stuff is generally traded among collectors themselves, through their own informal networks. Rarely does it emerge on open forums/social media, because 99% of those buyers just want common stuff, so there's no point there.

Usually it means finding someone in that world and asking if they can help you in. But you have to be somewhat social and not a complete dickbag.

[Hammerfestus | 3,864]

2 hours ago, Tulpa said:

That kind of stuff is generally traded among collectors themselves, through their own informal networks. Rarely does it emerge on open forums/social media, because 99% of those buyers just want common stuff, so there's no point there.

Usually it means finding someone in that world and asking if they can help you in. But you have to be somewhat social and not a complete dickbag.

So which one of you do I have to give special rubs to to unlock the hidden Lightspans?

[Super Nintendo Chalmers | 53]

Social media is pot luck when it comes to quality, informative content and basic respect regarding the scene. There are some decent Facebook groups out there, but its quantity over quality.  The groups which are more specialist and focused which are active and ran well tend to be alright, like that Video Game Kiosk and Display group.

I agree that some of the new/sealed/graded/high end groups are highly transactional and business focused, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing, for the most part and people seem to be respectful, informative and things don't really veer off track. 

The ones which attract the catch all 'collectors' and are on the casual side can be incredibly toxic. Groups that attract people who struggle to comprehend different levels of the hobby, people spending money on things they either don't like or are ambivalent to.  Too much spam, low quality activity for people to keep up with and curb.

The bad eggs outnumber the good eggs, people talk shit for the sake of talking rather than actually providng solid advice and reasoned opinions. Same goes for Reddit, some of those subs like r/gamecollecting are one big, ignorant echo chamber. People haven't gotten dumber, they've gotten louder, with more platforms to spread their BS! 

I find Instagram the lesser of the three evils, its a lot more wholesome, people are generally more welcoming, respectful and you can have a lot more customisation and control with your experiences.

I guess as a user you have to wade through the human filth and dig to find what you're looking for. Occasionally those places will have some good content, but Nintendo Age/VGS definitely had/has that informative. organic, grass roots feel compared to the other options out there. Same with the old Retro MMGN, N64 Forever forum. Sucks how the forum/message board format has been usurped by social media but thems the breaks, VGS seems to be doing ok though.

Edited January 10, 2022 by Super Nintendo Chalmers

[OptOut | 8,889]

17 hours ago, Tulpa said:

Usually it means finding someone in that world and asking if they can help you in. But you have to be somewhat social and not a complete dickbag.

This IS codemonkey we're talking about, right?  

[Tanooki | 4,940]

7 hours ago, Super Nintendo Chalmers said:

I guess as a user you have to wade through the human filth and dig to find what you're looking for. Occasionally those places will have some good content, but Nintendo Age/VGS definitely had/has that informative. organic, grass roots feel compared to the other options out there. Same with the old Retro MMGN, N64 Forever forum. Sucks how the forum/message board format has been usurped by social media but thems the breaks, VGS seems to be doing ok though.

I'm 50/50 joking but not here, I don't think they've really been usurped, and given the forum choices out there, software updates, and activity we're what the idea of 'indie' gaming was a decade ago before it got toxic erosion from deeper pockets/bigger teams as a catch all for stuff that doesn't look tripleA hollywood studio gaming budget.  People with smarts who know what works, what is fun, and accepts the smaller pool in trade get the better more useful experience that sticks and has more than superficial meaning.  This is 'indie media forums' where stuff that used to work, work better too, still thrives and excels.

[RegularGuyGamer | 2,014]

19 hours ago, Tulpa said:

That kind of stuff is generally traded among collectors themselves, through their own informal networks. Rarely does it emerge on open forums/social media, because 99% of those buyers just want common stuff, so there's no point there.

Usually it means finding someone in that world and asking if they can help you in. But you have to be somewhat social and not a complete dickbag.

Conventions are a great place to meet people and build a relationship. A lot of people go to the same ones every year too so it's easy to become familiar with folks. 

But also, gotta hold back on being a bag of dicks. I find that just general, objective life advice. 

"Want to build fulfilling relationships? Don't be a giant douche." Has been my motto for a while now. 

[TDIRunner | 2,744]

I've been lucky enough to actually find a Facebook group of video game collectors that actually like to discuss video games without turning into a mess of hot garbage.  I acknowledge that it's rare, and forums like VGS are still the best source for video game discussions, but Facebook can still work.  It's all about finding the right group of people.  We even used to have annual get togethers at a members house (which pretty much went away when COVID hit).  The page has hundreds of members, but probably only a few dozen that are truly active and participate in discussion.  

With all of that said, I've seen many Facebook groups that are a complete mess and absolutely not worth anyone's time.  I also understand that these are much more common and if you have only experienced these types of groups you probably think Facebook is a waste of time.  

[docile tapeworm | 4,204]

4 minutes ago, RegularGuyGamer said:

 

"Want to build fulfilling relationships? Don't be a giant douche." Has been my motto for a while now. 

This one I still need work. I find myself ,looking at myself, saying “why are you being a giant douche?”. 

[Tulpa | 3,520]

3 hours ago, OptOut said:

This IS codemonkey we're talking about, right?  

Thank you for addressing the aircraft carrier-sized elephant in the room so I didn't have to. 

Yes, people who find you, let's just say, abrasive, may either not sell to you at any price on principle, or tack on a hefty "you suck" fee without telling you. Especially since those ultra-rare items are a name your price deal.

I guess if one's willing to piss away the extra money, the "you suck-fee" group might sell them some things. At an inflated cost.

54 minutes ago, docile tapeworm said:

This one I still need work. I find myself ,looking at myself, saying “why are you being a giant douche?”. 

If it's any consolation, you're a particularly lovable douche.

Edited January 10, 2022 by Tulpa

[docile tapeworm | 4,204]

6 minutes ago, Tulpa said:

 

If it's any consolation, you're a particularly lovable douche.

Lol. Yes, that does help. Thank you sir. 

[CodysGameRoom | 2,008]

Follow me on Instagram @CodysGameRoom

Edited January 10, 2022 by CodysGameRoom

[MrWunderful | 2,927]

Its been scientifically proven that Facebook is actually cancer and aids, rolled into one. 

Edited January 10, 2022 by MrWunderful

[WhyNotZoidberg | 585]

I’m a member on most major Canadian groups and it’s like @DefaultGen said, 90% of the activity is buying/selling and the groups are mostly comprised of the same people. Big time resellers and store owners have everyone buttering them up, down and sideways but it doesn’t change the fact that they’re cool people with vast gaming knowledge.

I was once a member of CCJVQ which was mosty focused on the collecting side, discussions, help and all. I got kicked out for openly reselling a game I bought on the group so you know they take it seriously.

I like the facebook thing the way it is, and it gives me an incentive to come here and seek out a more refined platform for exchanging thoughts and opinions!

[segashack | 15]

Reddit also turns into a brag fest of what people buy. I like discussion of retro games more than some guy showing off what he bought on eBay.

[TheGameCollector | 18]

A local guy I met by selling him a spare PS2 on Facebook Marketplace started a new group for the greater Seattle area a couple years ago and they have things like a game of the month to play that is voted on. People sell things, show pickups and lucky finds at thrift stores. Give heads up to the group about what items they left there for others. Talk about new games coming out. It's a lot better than most groups that are just open to everyone from everywhere and the guy many know as Metal Jesus Rocks has even popped in via his real profile to say hi a couple times, commenting on particular things that interested him. Not surprising. I met him on Craigslist a long time ago when I was selling off Colecovision games I didn't like as much as the ones I chose to keep.

Speaking of Craigslist I kind of wonder how many games will be sold on there by people who want cash or trades instead of taxed digital payments. I find it highly likely. Check your local Craigslist posts this year in the for sale section as well as the barter section.

The guy who started the group I'm in just recently opened up his own game store in Lake Stevens. It's a bit far for me to travel unfortunately otherwise I'd check it out. I'm a bit more gaming focused than collecting focused lately after all. I make a lot of jokes in that group because I've talked to most of the main people and I enjoy playing with words.

I guess if you're lucky you might be in an area where people are easier to get along with. Good moderation or making a group invite only are different ways to weed out annoying people.

I agree it is funny to see when familiar local people post in the larger groups tailored to one system's collecting though. There are so many groups there are even multiple groups based on certain games or series and you can even make your own.

This group I'm in even has had trade meetups but I've never gone because I'm too busy, don't have a lot of trade stuff or extra cash set aside for collecting most of the time.

[AirVillain | 490]

Agreed 100% OP, well said regarding the facebook groups.

This place is the bees knees.