Selling Old Video Games and Consoles on eBay: A Step-by-Step Guide
Many of us have a shelf of old video games, a console in a closet, or a box of controllers from when the kids or grandkids were young. Those items may be worth something to collectors and to families shopping for holiday gifts. This guide walks through selling them on eBay, step by step, and how to keep the process safe. Selling a few items might help cover a small monthly bill, such as a $15 streaming plan, but results vary and many games sell for very little.
Start by Finding What You Have
Gather everything in one place: game discs or cartridges, consoles, controllers, power cables, and any boxes or manuals. Look at the back or bottom of each item for the name and model.
Sort the items into three small piles:
- Games and consoles that still work and have their cables
- Items with missing parts or damage, which usually sell for less
- Things that are not worth the effort, which you can donate or give away
Do not worry if most of it falls in the last two piles. One or two good items can be enough for a first sale.
Test Everything and Clean It
Buyers want to know an item works. Plug in each console and try it with a game. If you do not have a television handy, ask a family member to help. Wipe discs and controllers gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth, and let them dry fully.
Write down anything that is wrong, such as a scratch, a sticky button, or a missing cable. Honest descriptions lead to fewer complaints and returns.
Protect Your Personal Information
This step matters more than most people expect. Modern consoles store your account, saved games, and sometimes payment details. Before you sell one:
- Sign out of your account on the console.
- Use the console’s settings to restore it to factory settings, which erases your data. The maker’s support website has steps for your exact model.
- Remove any memory cards or storage drives that hold your files.
If you are unsure, ask a younger relative to help, or look up the steps on the manufacturer’s official support page.
Find Out What Similar Items Sold For
Do not guess at a price. On eBay, search for your item and use the filter for “Sold items.” This shows what buyers actually paid, not what sellers hope to get. Compare items that match yours in condition and in what is included. A console with its cables and controller usually sells for more than a console alone.
Prices change often, and a few popular items bring far more than the rest. Treat any price you see as a rough guide, not a promise.
Take Clear Photos
Use your phone near a window in daylight, with a plain background such as a table or a bedsheet. Take photos of the front, back, labels showing the model, and everything that is included. Show any flaws plainly. Our guide on taking good listing photos with your phone goes through this in detail.
Know the Fees Before You List
As of November 2026, eBay’s fee page lists a final value fee of 13.6% of the total sale amount, up to $7,500, for most categories. Some categories are different; trading cards, for example, are listed at 13.25%. There is also a per-order fee of $0.30 for orders of $10.00 or less, or $0.40 for orders over $10.00. eBay lists the first 250 listings each month with no insertion fee. Fees can change, and your category may differ, so check eBay’s official fee page before you list.
Here is a simple example using those numbers. If a game sells for $20 and the buyer pays the shipping, the fee on the sale price is about $2.72 plus $0.40, or roughly $3.12. eBay applies the percentage to the total sale amount, so read its page for what that includes, as the real number may be a little higher. Your own shipping cost comes on top of that. For low-priced games, fees and shipping can eat much of the money, so consider bundling several games into one lot.
Create the Listing
- Sign in to eBay, or create a free account if you do not have one.
- Select “Sell” and then “Create listing.”
- Type the name of the item. eBay will often suggest matching items.
- Add your photos and choose the condition honestly.
- Describe what is included, what you tested, and any flaws.
- Choose a fixed price or an auction. A fixed price is simpler for a first sale.
- Choose shipping. Many sellers offer “free shipping” and build the cost into the price.
Take your time. You can save a draft and finish later.
Packing and Shipping
Wrap items in bubble wrap or newspaper, and use a sturdy box with extra padding. Consoles are heavy and fragile, so pack them snugly. Weigh and measure the box, buy your postage through eBay, and print the label or ask the post office to scan it. Keep your tracking receipt. Our guide on shipping a sold item without the stress has more detail.
Staying Safe
Keep every conversation and payment inside eBay. Be cautious if a buyer asks you to move to email or text, pay a different way, or send the item before payment clears. Never give out your bank login or Social Security number. If a buyer wants an item shipped to a different address than the one on the order, be cautious and contact eBay’s help.
Local sales are an option, too, but they carry their own risks. Read our guide to selling to neighbors safely before you arrange a meetup.
Taxes and Benefits
Selling used household items for less than you paid usually is not a profit, but tax rules depend on your situation, and platforms may send tax forms. If you earn regular income from selling, the IRS says self-employment tax applies when net earnings reach $400. If you receive Social Security and are under full retirement age, the 2026 earnings limit is $24,480 a year before benefits may be reduced. SSI, Medicaid, and housing assistance have their own rules about income and resources. This is general information only. Check your own situation with the official sources below or a tax professional.
Timing
Demand for games and consoles may rise before the holidays, when families shop for gifts, so listing in November could help. Still, shipping takes time, so aim to list early. If an item does not sell in a few weeks, try a lower price or bundle it with something else. A small, patient approach is fine.
When to Stop
Not every item is worth the work. If a game would sell for a few dollars, donating it may be the kinder choice for your time. Start with the best two or three items, see how the process feels, and decide from there.
More on Replace a Bill
- Selling on eBay for the First Time: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Taking Good Listing Photos With Your Phone: A Simple Guide
- Shipping a Sold Item Without the Stress: Packing, Labels and Pickup
