Vintage Console & Video Game Auctions

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Create a Retro Gaming Marketplace

Vintage console and video game auctions tap into a thriving collector ecosystem built on nostalgia and value. Whether you're selling $15 NES cartridges, $1,500 rare consoles, or gaming memorabilia that brings $500, this category generates high engagement and steady profits from a loyal buyer base.

Our auctions are typically online only, but you can bid in person at the item with your smartphone. This gives local buyers the chance to preview merchandise in person while remote collectors bid confidently through mobile devices.

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💡 Why Weekly Retro Auctions Work

1. Constant Inventory Turnover

A weekly cadence with 150+ items per event keeps buyers engaged and inventory flowing.

2. Tiered Item Value = Volume + Margin

With average game prices around $15 and consoles at $150, sellers can profit from both volume sales and occasional big-ticket wins.

3. Owned Inventory = Full Margin Control

As the auction host owns the items, there's no listing fee—and every markup dollar stays in your business.

4. Sell More with Deal Working

Bids that fall short of reserve aren’t lost. Selling Lane’s deal working feature helps close an additional 10% of sales after the auction ends.

🕹️ Top Categories in Weekly Auctions

🎮 Retro consoles: NES, SNES, Sega, PlayStation, Atari
📀 Games: common titles ($15 avg) to rare sealed editions ($300+)
🧢 Memorabilia: posters, figures, swag ($20 avg, up to $500)
🛠️ Accessories: controllers, memory cards, adapters
🧪 Prototypes and test cartridges
📚 Vintage game guides, magazines, and manuals

🧩 Example: GameCrate Weekly Retro Auction Program

Case Study: 52 Events of Pure Nostalgia

Auction Frequency: Weekly
Lots per Auction: 150
Average Unit Breakdown:
- 90 games @ $15 avg
- 30 consoles @ $150 avg
- 30 memorabilia items @ $20 avg
Total Annual Gross Sales: ~$234,000
Buyer Fee (12%): $28,080
Seller Markup Profit (30%): ~$54,000
Deal Working Added Sales: $10,000
Selling Lane Platform Cost: $9,996/year

By combining volume sales with occasional high-ticket surprises—like a $1,500 console or $300 game—GameCrate maintained a healthy flow of weekly revenue, while Selling Lane’s mobile bidding and post-auction tools maximized profit capture.

📈 Profit Model & ROI Recap

Retro game auctions benefit from a unique combination of broad appeal and collector-driven urgency. And with owned inventory, no listing fees, and consistent markup, sellers keep more of what they earn.

Annual Financial Summary

Total Gross Revenue: ~$234,000
Buyer Fees Collected (12%): $28,080
Profit from Inventory Markup (30%): ~$54,000
Deal Working Recovery: $10,000
Total Platform-Generated Income: ~$92,080
Software Subscription Cost: $9,996
Net Income from Platform Features: ~$82,084
ROI: Over 8x return annually

🏁 The Bottom Line

Vintage console and video game auctions are ideal for volume sellers who own their inventory and know their buyers. With flexible pricing, real-time bidding, and mobile-first auctions, Selling Lane gives you everything you need to run high-frequency events at scale.

📣 Ready to launch your first auction? Start your weekly game auction today and power up your profits every single week.

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