Where to Sell Used Board Games in 2026 (How to Avoid the “Shipping Tax”)

Which Platform Works Best for Selling Board Games?

To make it easy, I put together a quick guide to show which selling option usually works best depending on your game and what you want.

This is how I figure out where to sell my games without wasting time or losing money.

The Honest Truth About What You’ll Get

Before you start listing your games, I want you to know what you can realistically expect.

Most modern hobby board games in good condition only sell for about 30% to 50% of their original retail price.

Some rare or highly sought-after games go higher, but for most of your collection, don’t count on it.

Shipping Costs Can Kill Your Profit

As it is with a lot of stuff you sell online, shipping can eat your profits fast. Board games are heavy and awkward to ship.

If you are selling online (eBay, BGG, Reddit), the buyer usually pays for shipping. So the total cost for the buyer is Price + Shipping.

Let’s say you want to sell a common game (say Catan) for $25. A standard 3–5 pound board costs around $15 to ship. So the buyer’s total is $40.

Since Amazon often sells it new for $42 with free shipping, you have to lower your price to $10 to be competitive. After platform fees, you might end up with $7.00.

Is it worth all that effort?

Once you add platform fees on top of that, games worth less than $20-25 often aren’t worth selling online. For those, I usually sell locally or donate them instead.

Store Credit vs. Cash

If you sell to a store or online retailer (Noble Knight, BoardGameCo, or an LGS), they obviously have to make a margin. They will always offer a “Credit Bonus” to keep the money in their ecosystem.

• Cash Offer: Typically 25–35% of resale value.
• Store Credit: Typically 50–60% of resale value.

If you are “getting out of the hobby,” take the cash. If you are “churning” your collection to buy new titles, always take the credit. It nearly doubles your trade-in power.

The 40% vs. 60% Valuation Standard

What is your game actually worth?

Ignore the “Asking Price” you see on eBay active listings; those are wishful thinking.

Look at “Sold Listings” only.

• Common / In-Print Games: Expect to recover 30–50% of MSRP. If it’s still available at Target or Amazon, the resale market is soft.
• Out of Print (OOP) / Kickstarter: This is where the money is. Kickstarter exclusives that will never go to retail can often sell for 80–120% of their original pledge price.

Best Places to Sell Board Games Online

If your game passes the “shipping tax” test (meaning it is worth enough to justify shipping costs), online marketplaces offer the widest audience.

But each platform has a specific “culture” you need to learn to get the most bang for your buck.

1. BoardGameGeek (BGG) Marketplace: Best for Collectors

If you’re selling rare, “grail,” or Kickstarter-exclusive games, I usually go straight to BoardGameGeek (BGG) Marketplace.

It’s the top place for serious collectors who know exactly what they want.

That said, their interface is so damn dated. You have to manually manage communication and payment is not integrated (usually handled via external PayPal).

Here’s why it works: you’re selling to people who are really into games and have the money to buy rare stuff. So your games usually get better prices than general marketplaces.

• Reputation Matters: Your “Trade Rating” is everything. Start by buying or trading small items to build trust before listing a $200 “Grail” game.
• Fee: No listing fee but they take a commission (usually 3%) compared to eBay’s 15%.

Pro Tip for Shipping

I use PirateShip to buy my labels. It hooks up with BGG and usually saves me 30–40% compared to the USPS counter. For heavier games, those savings really add up.

2. Reddit r/BoardGameExchange: Best for Peer-to-Peer Sales Without Platform Fees

I usually use r/BoardGameExchange when I want to sell directly to other gamers.

It’s a peer-to-peer marketplace where you post your games with a photo, your username, and the date (that’s the “timestamp” system Reddit relies on).

The best thing about using Reddit to sell board games is that there are no platform fees. You just pay the PayPal Goods & Services fee of around 3%, which is way lower than eBay or other marketplaces.

Buyers usually expect a “Reddit discount” compared to eBay prices. I’ve learned not to overprice here, or my games just sit.

But if you’re okay with slightly lower profit, it’s a fast, low-fee way to sell to gamers who are trying to buy used games to save a few bucks.

3. eBay: Best for Reach (The Last Resort)

If I’m selling high-demand games or big “all-in” Kickstarter bundles, I usually list them on eBay. It has the largest audience, so more people see your games, but the fees are higher than on other platforms.

The worst thing about selling on eBay (and why I listed last for online platforms) is its crazy high fees. eBay takes about 15.6% between final value fees and payment processing. That cuts into your profit, so factor it in before you price your game.

Pricing Your Game

Don’t just search for your game on eBay and price it the same as the listings you find. Instead, filter your search by “Sold Items” to see what people actually paid in the last 60 days. That way, you know your asking price is realistic and that gives you a higher chance of actually selling your game.

Also, always use “Calculated Shipping.” Do not offer Free Shipping on heavy board games unless you have built the $15–$25 cost into the price.

Pro Tip for Shipping

For heavy games (say, like Gloomhaven), use USPS Large Flat Rate boxes. If the game fits, it ships for a flat $22, which is usually cheaper than weight-based Priority Mail. That trick can save you a lot on shipping.

Best Places to Sell Board Games Near Me

The math is simple: every dollar you spend on shipping is a dollar lost from your pocket.

For games worth under $30, or heavy games (like Gloomhaven or Frosthaven) that cost a fortune to ship, local sales are your best option.

4. Facebook Groups (Better Than Marketplace)

If you want to sell locally and keep your money, skip Facebook Marketplace and join specific board game groups instead.

For example, “New York City Board Game Buy/Sell” or similar local groups in your area.

Posting to the general “Marketplace” exposes you to the general public who may not understand why a board game costs $60.

But the biggest reason to stick to groups is that the “flake” rate is lower; people actually show up or respond.

Plus, buyers in these groups usually know what games are really worth, so you get fair offers without haggling too much.

As for safety, please always meet in a public, well-lit location. Many buyers prefer meeting at a local game store or a coffee shop. Cash or Venmo in person only.

5. Local Game Stores (LGS)

Selling to a store is the fastest way to get cash, but it offers the lowest return.

They pay pennies on the dollar, so I don’t bother unless it’s a mass-market game like Monopoly or Risk.

But if you are going to use the money you make from selling a game to buy another, this could be a good option since they typically offer 50% of the game’s resale value in store credit.

6. Math Trades & Conventions: Swap Without Fees

If you live near a major city or attend conventions like Gen Con, PAX, or local expos, look for “Math Trades.”

You can swap games with other collectors without paying platform fees.

Basically everyone lists games they want to trade and games they want to receive. Then an algorithm maximizes trades for everyone.

You bring your old games to the event and leave with new ones. No money changes hands, and no shipping is required.

It’s a great way to trade games you don’t want for ones you do.

Avoid Half Price Books &  Pawn Shops

Do not sell your board games to these places, seriously!

They usually treat a $60 hobby title like a $2 generic toy. Use them only for mass-market games you were planning to donate.

Trade-In & Buylist Services

If you have 20, 50, or 100 games to sell and you don’t want to list them individually, “Buylists” are your best friend.

This is the wholesale model: you sell to a store, and they resell to the public.

7. Noble Knight Games

• Best For: Moving large collections quickly, selling “mid-tier” games you don’t want to photograph individually.

If you just want to get it done and don’t care about squeezing every dollar, go with Noble Knight Games.

You submit a list of your games, they give you a quote, and if your total is over $100, they usually provide a free shipping label.

Expected Payout

The payout is low. For example, a game that retails for $60 might only get me around $12 in cash or $18 in store credit. I know I’m trading money for convenience here.

• Cash: 30% of their retail price.
• Store Credit: 50–60% of their retail price.

This works best when you want to clear out a bunch of games in one afternoon without taking 50 individual photos or dealing with buyers. It’s quick and easy, but don’t expect top dollar.

By the way, you can also sell other gaming products like trading card games, such as Yu-Gi-Oh cards and Pokémon cards here.

A Few Tips

If you decide to sell online, you must think like a business to avoid returns and lost profits.

When I sell board games, the condition makes a huge difference. A game that’s “Like New” goes for a lot more than one with shelf wear, so be honest about how yours looks.

Speak the Language: Condition Grading

When I sell board games, the condition makes a huge difference.

A game that’s “Like New” goes for a lot more than one with shelf wear, so be honest about how yours looks.

Use standard terminology to describe your game’s condition. “Great condition” is too vague.

• NIS (New In Shrink): Brand new, factory sealed.
• Unpunched: The box is open, but cardboard tokens are still in their sheets. Cards are wrapped.
• Played / Excellent: Played a few times. Box has minor wear (shelf wear) on corners. Components complete.
• Ding & Dent: Significant damage to the box (crushed corners, dished top), but components are playable. You must photograph the damage clearly.

Pack Like a Pro

The biggest reason for returns on eBay is “Item Arrived Damaged.” Board game boxes are heavy and corners crush easily.

Here’s what you do:

• “Corner Protect” Method: Don’t just throw it in a box. Wrap the game in bubble wrap, paying extra attention to the corners.
• No Shaking: Once boxed, shake the package. If you feel the game sliding inside, it is not packed tight enough. Add void fill (paper, bubble wrap, or packing peanuts) until it is solid. Sliding creates momentum that rips boxes during transit.

Take a Component Spread Photo

I always take a photo showing all the pieces laid out. It proves everything is there and builds trust with buyers.

A clear component shot can make the difference between a fast sale and endless questions.

Deciding If a Game Is Worth Selling

Before you spend 20 minutes listing a game online, always run a quick check to see if it’s actually worth your time.

• Sold Price on eBay: $25
• Minus Fees (15%): -$3.75
• Minus Shipping (Average): -$14.00
• Minus Packaging/Box: -$2.00
• Your Net: $5.25

Verdict: If your net comes out under $10, I’d skip selling it online. I’d either sell it locally for $15 cash or donate it to a library for a tax receipt. That way, you don’t waste time and still get some value out of it.

FAQ

Here are quick answers to the most common questions new sellers face:

Sell Your Board Games Smarter in 2026

So that’s how I’d handle selling board games in 2026, from local Facebook groups to eBay, BGG Marketplace, and buylist services.

The important thing is knowing your game, checking the condition, and factoring in fees and shipping before you list.

Whether you’re clearing out a single game or a whole collection, following these tips helps me get the best payout without wasting time.

Remember: not every game is worth shipping, rare games do best online, and sometimes local sales or trades make the most sense.

Now it’s your turn. Take a look at your stack, pick the right platform, and start selling your board games smarter today.