So I hear it a lot. “Tariffs are going to destroy gaming as a hobby.” I’d have to say that this is really only true if as a gamer, you’re focused on component format. Buying retail game is going to become more expensive no doubt, but until the current administration relents in regard to these tariffs, there are a couple of good alternatives.
The first is higher expense, but low effort: buy used. most gamers keep their games in good nick, and if you don’t mind a little play wear, you can get a good quality game for well under MSRP. Protip: buying multiple games from the same person will help with shipping I have several sources for buying good quality used games.
- My favorite is the BoardGameGeek GeekMarket. I have never experienced a bad transaction from her and as most sellers on the geekmarket do not have overhead costs like shop rent and whatnot, prices are fairly reasonable
- Next is my old standby Craigslist. It’s basically the want ads of the internet.
- I’ve also been known to use Facebook Marketplace. Every now and then I’ll run across a flakier than usual seller, but for the most part people just want to cull their collections.
- Did you know Goodwill has an auction site? You wont find the same prices as you would in a live thrift store, but still some god deals on hard-to-find vintage games.
Another alternative I have found is Print and Play. James Earnest, an old role model for me was known to believe that most board games are all the same at some point. most components can easily be replace either with common items or components from other games. Stripping a game of all it’s components leave us with an experience. a game can have all the shiny counter/doo-dads/miniatures in the world, but if its no fun, who cares.
With this in mind, I’ll happily print my own components for games. with today’s home computer printers getting an average cost per page of 3 to 8 cents. Games can very well cost 50% of their retail cousins. I have a full post on PnP games here.
Don’t get me wrong though. I’m not saying we need to lower our standards and suck it up in regards to the world economy the current administration is creating. Truth be told though, regardless of if you support or decry what’s happening, it has indeed happened and we do need to deal with what’s in front of us. This may mean adapting to the environment around us whether we like it or not.