Just because it's old, doesn't mean it's worth anything!

So, in my recent trip to the Thrift Store, I was suckered again into buying an old item thinking it would be worth something. I picked up a copy of a 1969 Battleship and an early 60's Go to the Head of the Class game. Of course, I love the vintage graphics so maybe I will always be a sucker for this stuff. But, this is really how you get into the hobby. You need to be willing to pick up items from time to time and check their value. In the beginning you will hit a lot, and miss more.

It's the "misses" that will teach you something about the board game trade. Those misses will probably include some old board games that will make you think they are worth more than their actual value. But, remember what I said in another post? It's the "staples" (the strong selling games) that will bring you value for your dollar investment: Risk, Life (Linkletter version), Stratego, and Clue. Look at what the board game companies have done with the staples - they pulled them into the modern era with movie or tv show versions of their most popular selling games. These versions trade for a good amount, and certainly more than what you will pay for them at the thrift store.

You might be wondering why I am not mentioning Monopoly. Well, I have just never found a monopoly game that brought me more than 5 dollars. I certainly prefer the older versions of monopoly and I have an Anniversary Edition from the 70's in my collection. I'm sitting on a version from the early 60's that is only trading for a few dollars. I was suckered by the thrift store into buying it because it looked old! I love to play monopoly, but I usually pass it right by at the Thrift Store. Now, if I was to find a deluxe version of Monopoly in the wood box or the recent deluxe edition that Hasbro released with special tokens, I would buy those. Just a plain old monopoly game? I'll pass.

Remember, just because it is old that is not aways an indication of trade value.