Hey there, fellow board game aficionados! Oh boy, have I got a treat for you! As a vintage curator, I’ve uncovered some real gems in the world of vintage board games. These magical games have the power to transform a boring night into hours of fun with family and friends, and bring back instant nostalgia for the good old days. In this article, I’ll share my tips on finding, curating, and packaging vintage board games so you can sell them in your booth or online markets. So, roll the dice, and let’s get started!
Complete the Set
You can curate board games in thrift shops, garage sales, flea markets, and any resale shop. When curating vintage games, it’s essential to have all the pieces. There’s nothing worse than finding a vintage game you love only to realize it’s missing a critical piece. So, double-check that all the game components are present before curating a vintage board game for your booth.
Something I like to do is read the instructions to see what the original game comes with, such as a 52-card deck, five dice, and 25 red and yellow chips. Then I carefully count each piece to ensure the whole set is all there. If one minor piece is missing, I will still curate the game but sell it for a reduced price with a note on the game that says it’s missing a component.
It’s also worth considering that customers may be looking for a specific game or missing a piece. If you have many random game pieces, consider having a miscellaneous box of game pieces for sale individually.
Once you have completed all these tasks, you can figure out how much the game is worth to price it accordingly. You can search eBay or Etsy for other comparable pricing.
Packaging is Key
When packaging vintage board games, try to put them in their original boxes. Repacking this way adds a touch of authenticity and makes the games more appealing to customers. However, it’s essential to be careful when labeling the boxes. Sometimes the boxes are thin and delicate.
You want to avoid ruining the original packaging by putting on your sticker price, which can damage the box if pulled off later. Consider taking the extra steps to be cautious and add plastic around the box. Then put your sticker price on the plastic to protect the original packaging and ensure the game’s value remains high. Also, if you don’t have the original inside packaging, keep track of the small game parts by using clear bags to separate each game component. For instance, you can find small bags to put dice or chips in.
The Aesthetic of Vintage Board Games
One of the great things about vintage board games is the beautiful aesthetic that they bring to a space. The bright colors, intricate details, and unique design elements all contribute to the charm and appeal of these games. Once, I found a few game boards without the other components. I loved the design of the game board and the printing. I just had to keep them, but I wanted a way to showcase them and all their beauty. So I framed them into art pieces to hang on the wall. The visual appeal of vintage games makes them a great addition to any space design looking for a pop culture aesthetic.
Vintage Games Sell Like Hotcakes
Your customers remember and long for the days when board games were the ultimate source of entertainment and electronic gadgets weren’t even a twinkle in Steve Jobs’ eye? Adding board games to your booth can add some charm and whimsy. Games sell well in my booth, especially during the holidays.
Some Parting Thoughts
Curating vintage games can be a fun and exciting way to add retro flair to your booth. To ensure success, complete the set and package the games with care. Vintage games are a treasured piece of our history, taking us back to a simpler time before screentime was a thing. So let’s bring back the nostalgia of board games!
