How to Sell Board Games: 7 Profit Boosting Tips
author
Feras Al-Musa
published
June 2, 2025
Why You Should Sell Board Games
How to Sell Board Games is a question many thrifters and collectors ask—especially if you’ve got a closet full of old toys or love scoring deals at garage sales. Toys are big business on platforms like Amazon and eBay, and board games—both new and used—are no exception.
Board games are cheap, abundant, profitable, and genuinely enjoyable to hunt for. In many cases, you can even find brand new games at deep discounts in thrift stores or garage sales. Here’s why they’re ideal for online reselling:
You might be surprised to learn that used board games can be highly profitable. A simple yard sale find, like a Deluxe Scrabble in a red box, might only cost you $2 but could sell for over $100 online.
While retail arbitrage typically focuses on new products, sourcing used board games is a fun and lucrative opportunity. With insights from experienced sellers like Stephen Smotherman, author of The Reseller’s Guide to Board Games, you can build a strong strategy to make the most of this niche.
Let’s dive into why selling board games is a great opportunity in 2025 and how to maximize your profits.
Unbeatable ROI
Much like used books, board games offer an excellent return on investment. A game purchased for just a couple of dollars can easily be resold for $25, $50, or more than $100, especially if it’s rare or nostalgic.
Buyers often seek out games from their childhood, and they’re willing to pay a premium to skip the hunt at local thrift stores and simply order the game from Amazon.
Some real-world examples:
Snorta – Purchased new for $3, sold for $99.99
Trivial Pursuit: Master Game Genius Edition – Cost $5, sold for $69.99
Excalibur King Master III Electronic Game – Bought for $15, sold for $199.99
These standout finds prove how profitable board games can be, even on a beginner’s budget.
Unbeatable ROI
Used board games are a great entry point for beginners with limited capital. With just $250, you can build a wide and varied inventory by focusing on inexpensive but valuable games.
Because of their high ROI, your profits can be quickly reinvested into scaling your business. Even a $50 spend on used games could turn into $100 profit, helping you grow steadily.
Supplement Your Retail Arbitrage
Even if you already focus on retail arbitrage, board games can supplement your inventory with one-off, high-margin products. They fit naturally into a model where you’re already prepping and shipping items to Amazon.
Where to Find Profitable Board Games
If your experience is limited to sourcing from big-box stores, you may not know where to look for profitable games. The good news is: they’re everywhere if you know where to look.
Yard Sales & Garage Sales – Often full of entire board game collections at low prices
Estate Sales – Great for finding vintage or collectible games
Thrift Stores – Chains and local shops frequently carry games at bargain prices
eBay – Believe it or not, many resellers buy games on eBay to flip on Amazon
One example: a seller bought a Nightmare Video Board Game used at a yard sale for $2 and sold it for $25. Later, they found the same game new on eBay for $50 and sold it on Amazon for $170—netting over $80 in profit.
Once you begin sourcing board games, you’ll realize how many opportunities are out there.
Selling on Amazon FBA
Amazon FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) is the ideal platform for selling board games. Even used games can be listed, as long as they meet Amazon’s condition requirements.
Important Note: Amazon does not allow board games to be listed as “Used.” Instead, they must be listed as Collectible Toys & Games.
Amazon’s Collectible Condition Guidelines
Collectible – Like New: Perfect condition, possibly missing outer wrapping but with intact packaging.
Collectible – Very Good: Gently used, complete, and undamaged
Collectible – Good: Well-used but fully functional with all components included
View Amazon’s Official Condition Guidelines
If you follow these condition categories properly, you’ll avoid listing issues and better serve your buyers.
7 Tips for How to Sell Board Games
1. Know Where to Shop
Skip Walmart and Target. Instead, check out:
Yard & estate sales for big lots
Thrift stores for cheap individual finds
eBay for rare titles that can be flipped on Amazon
Use apps and tools to scan games on the go and track their market value.
2. Understand Amazon's Rules
As mentioned, all opened board games must be listed as “Collectible.” Refer to Amazon’s specific condition guidelines to describe items accurately.
3. Inspect the Contents
Check each game thoroughly to ensure all pieces are present. Use BoardGameGeek to find standard contents lists. If anything is missing, you can often find replacement parts on eBay.
For electronic games, check battery compartments for corrosion, test the electronics, and include a condition note like “Fresh batteries included.”
4. Package Carefully
Use shrink wrap and poly bags for clean presentation. Avoid rubber bands or tape, which can come loose during shipping or warehouse storage.
If you need help choosing materials, this blog post on packaging bundles offers great recommendations.
5. Price with Strategy
Use Keepa or CamelCamelCamel to review pricing history. Board games see surges during Q4 (holiday season), so plan accordingly.
6. Sell for Parts
If a game is incomplete, sell the individual pieces on eBay. Many sellers do this exclusively, flipping games they sourced for $2 by selling components for $1–$5 each.
Check eBay sold listings for “replacement game pieces” to determine if your items have value.
7. Scan Every Title
Unknown doesn’t mean worthless. Some of the most valuable games are obscure. For example, Space Hulk—an unassuming thrift store find—sold for over $200. Stay curious and scan everything!
Want to Go Pro?
If this sounds exciting, consider diving deeper with The Reseller’s Guide to Board Games: How to Turn Play Money into Real Money. It’s packed with strategies and includes 50 BOLO (Be On The Lookout) games.
Final Thoughts
Selling board games is a smart, scalable, and rewarding way to grow your online business in 2025. With low upfront costs and strong demand, this niche can be incredibly profitable.
Start small, stay organized, and scale up as you gain experience. If nostalgia can fuel buyer interest, you can absolutely turn it into profit.
Are you ready to start selling board games? Let us know in the comments!
