I'm frequently asked how to find such-and-such a game that is now
out of print - or at least the rules to it, or parts from it, or
whatever.
I'm no expert on this subject, alas. I tend to stumble on out-of-print
games accidentally myself, at yard sales or thrift shops. The few
I've actually managed to hunt down (rather than stumble across) came
from one of the following techniques, so I offer them to you.
BoardGameGeek.com
Try this first: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/.
In the "QuickSearch" box, type in the game name, or just part of
it. Look down to "Users trading this game" and click on the number
if it's greater than zero. You can email the owners to inquire
about buying the game from them. Or simply check the "BGG
Marketplace" listed in the sidebar.
[Note: I believe you have to register with boardgamegeek to send
email. This is free and painless and you'll never get spam from
it. If you like boardgames, you want to register and be
a regular user - best boardgaming site on the web!]
Newsgroups
Some of the ways I've found out-of-print games involve the following
newsgroups. You have to pick the most appropriate for your needs.
You may even need a newsgroup other than the four listed below -
these are simply the ones I've used in the past:
Three methods using newsgroups I've used in the past to locate
out-of-print games are:
- Read the appropriate newsgroup daily, searching all text
for the name of the game (my newsreader allows me to search more than
just subject lines),
- Post a message to the appropriate newsgroup.
- Use a very clear subject, such as WANTED: Deluxe Scrabble
or WTB: Park & Shop, 1950s. (WTB = Want to Buy.)
- Post the same message about once every six months until you get a
reply. I got one game after three years of this technique, and another
after about five years ... and one after just one post! So you never
know, but persistence pays off.
- Go to Dejanews
(now owned by google), type in the game name in the search field,
then limit the search (in the Newsgroup field) to
rec.games.board.marketplace (or other appropriate newsgroup).
Contact people who were selling it in the not-too-distant past,
see if it's still available.
Other Methods
For wargames, you can try ConsimWorld. Check the Marketplace
forum. You can read ConsimWorld posts with guest access,
but to post a "Wanted to buy" message yourself will require
you to register (it's free and painless and if you're a wargamer
you want to be a member).
Then there's the eBay auction
site. I've bought a couple of games there, but it can be
expensive if you're not careful. So determine exactly how much
you're willing to spend on an item and be very strict in not going
over that price or you'll spend more than you bargained for. Most
items will come up again - search once a week or so rather than
pay too much now.
You could try my friend Stephen
Tavener who's an honest dealer in used games and a good guy.
Shipping from the UK might get expensive, though.
That's really it - I don't know of any magic source who sells every
old game ever printed, though you might find something close enough
for your needs on the web if you look hard enough. Other people
have mentioned other web-based auction sites and other used-games
dealers, but I haven't used them so can't comment. I'm sure the
other dealers read rec.games.board.marketplace (mentioned
above), so posting there should get their attention.
Good luck!
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