Selling Board Games: A Guide to Reclaiming Shelf Space (and Maybe Making Some Cash)

If you’re anything like me, board games started as an occasional indulgence, turned into a monthly habit, and are now a full-fledged hobby. But at some point, reality sets in. There’s only so much shelf space. Sooner or later, you have to start selling some of your collection.

I’ve been at that point for the last three years. Now, for every game I add to my shelves, another has to go—or at least, that’s the theory. In reality, they sit in a cupboard for six months while I um and ah over their fate, until I finally decide to sell them all in one big purge.

After countless rounds of buying and selling, my wife and I have tried nearly every method out there. Based on our experience, here’s an anecdotal rundown of what’s worked best… and what hasn’t.

Facebook groups

As much as I hate handing all my information over to Zuckerberg, I can’t deny the sheer number of thriving board game communities on Facebook. Some, like the Australian-focused Board Games of OZ Marketplace, are packed with like-minded enthusiasts looking to buy, sell, and trade.

This group has been our most successful selling spot. It’s heavily moderated, with clear rules that make deals quick and hassle-free. Unlike the chaos of a regular marketplace. Thanks to this oversight, and the vetting done by the admins, problem buyers and sellers are rare.

Through it, we’ve sold a ton of games and even built connections with regular buyers who are always interested in what’s next. Plus, it’s fun spotting local board game celebrities offloading their collections too.

So before you go any further, check if your area has a local Facebook group. If it does, join up and start clearing those shelves!

Online marketplaces

Before we found that Facebook group, we sold all our board games through online marketplaces. Primarily Gumtree, which is like Craigslist’s more mature and responsible Australian brother. But it could have just as easily been Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or something similar.

While these platforms usually get the job done, they take a lot more time and effort. Instead of dealing with hobbyists, you’re often talking to people whose board game experience doesn’t extend beyond Settlers of Catan. That can lead to some interesting conversations about modern games. But not necessarily any closer to a sale.

You also have to vet buyers yourself, making it more likely you’ll run into time-wasters or outright scammers.

A classic trick I ran into was buyers showing up to our house with less cash than agreed and claiming, “That’s all I’ve got.”

Annoying.

This is why I always ask for PayPal or another electronic transfer.

Some of these issues can be avoided with BoardGameGeek’s marketplace. Since you’re dealing with actual board gamers, they know what you’re selling and understand the pricing. That should mean fewer ghosters, but from what I’ve read on Reddit, it still happens.

One thing to watch out for with online marketplaces: some take a commission or charge a listing fee. They like to think they offer a premium service and want to be compensated, whether it’s worth it is up to you.

Board game stores

If you’re looking to offload board games quickly, consider checking out stores that buy second-hand games. You won’t get as much money per sale, but the convenience can be worth it.

One example in Australia is Spieledeluxe, which buys and sells pre-owned board games. If you need to clear shelf space fast, this is a solid option.

That said, always check the store’s terms before lugging your collection to the counter (there’s only so much demand for Exploding Kittens and Munchkin). A quick call or email can save you a wasted trip.

As a bonus, these stores are also great for picking up cheap games. Most board gamers treat their collections with almost obsessive care, so buying second-hand is often just as good as buying new. Minus the joy of punching out fresh components.

Donating

When all else fails, consider donating your board games. Local libraries, churches, schools, board game cafés, or thrift shops might be happy to take them. While you won’t make any money, at least your games will find a new home instead of ending up in the trash. Hopefully bringing someone else as much joy as they once brought you.

If you’re not in a rush to clear space, another option is listing your games on the spare parts section of BoardGameGeek List. This lets other gamers request missing pieces from your games to restore their own. Think of it as organ donation, but for board games.

How to price your board games

Pricing board games depends on your priorities, are you aiming for quick sales or to maximising profit?

Personally, my philosophy is simple: I’ve had my fun, and now I want someone else to enjoy the game. So, I check Board Game Oracle for the lowest price and cut it in half. Buyers love a good deal, and games move fast.

That said, most board gamers price their second-hand games at 60–75% of retail without much trouble. The only real exceptions are out-of-print titles and massive Kickstarter exclusives, which can sell for even more than their original price.

One hard-and-fast rule? If you want to sell your games never list them for free. There must be some psychology behind it, but weirdly, people get suspicious of a deal that is too good. Even if it’s the best deal they’ll ever see, they assume something is wrong and won’t take it.

At the end of the day, selling board games is just another part of the hobby. Whether you’re making space for new additions, clearing out games that didn’t click, or just trying to reclaim a bit of your living room, there’s always a way to offload them. Some methods take time, others take a cut of your earnings, but there’s no shortage of people out there looking for their next great game. And hey, worst-case scenario—you could always build a fort out of the boxes and call it a day.