Seller Guide
Everything you need to know to start selling on The Game Traders. From creating your first listing to shipping your items.
Getting Started
Selling on The Game Traders is straightforward. Here's how to get set up:
Create an account
Complete your profile
Connect your payment account
Create your first listing
Creating a Listing
A great listing helps buyers find and trust your item. Here's what you'll fill out:
Category
Choose from: Video Games, Consoles, PC Hardware, Trading Cards, Table Games, or Accessories.
Manufacturer, Platform & Item
After picking a category, select the manufacturer (e.g., Nintendo), then the platform (e.g., Switch), then the specific item. This auto-fills your title and suggests a price range. If your item isn't in the catalog, you can type a custom name for any of these fields.
Title
A clear, descriptive title (5-100 characters). Include the game name, platform, and condition highlights. Example: "Pokemon Scarlet - Nintendo Switch - New Sealed"
Description
Detail the item's condition, what's included (manuals, cases, accessories), and any flaws. Be honest — accurate descriptions lead to better reviews.
Condition
Rate your item honestly:
- New — Sealed, never opened
- Like New — Opened but unused, no wear
- Good — Light wear, fully functional
- Fair — Moderate wear, works well
- Poor — Heavy wear, may have issues
Photos That Sell
Good photos are the single biggest factor in selling your items. You can upload up to 10 photos per listing.
Do
- Use natural lighting or a well-lit area
- Show front, back, and sides of the item
- Include close-ups of any wear or damage
- Photograph all included accessories
- Use a clean, uncluttered background
Don't
- Use blurry or dark photos
- Use stock images instead of real photos
- Hide damage or defects
- Include excessive filters or edits
- Photograph in messy environments
Pricing Your Items
Set a competitive price to attract buyers while maximizing your return.
Price Suggestions
When you select an item from our catalog, you'll see a suggested price range based on market data. Use this as a starting point and adjust based on your item's condition.
Accepting Offers
You can enable offers on your listing so buyers can propose a price. Set a minimum offer amount to avoid lowball offers. Offers are a great way to sell faster.
Understanding Fees
The Game Traders charges a 10% platform fee on the order total (item + shipping + tax) when your item sells. See the Fees section for full details.
Shipping Options
Every listing needs at least one shipping option. Choose from our presets or create your own:
| Preset | Method | Cost | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Cards | First Class Mail | $4.50 | 3-5 business days |
| Video Game | Priority Mail | $7.99 | 2-4 business days |
| Console | Priority Mail | $13.99 | 2-4 business days |
| Large Item | UPS Ground | $19.99 | 5-8 business days |
| Free Shipping | Free Shipping | $0.00 | 5-7 business days |
You can also create custom shipping options with your own name, price, and estimated delivery time. Offering multiple options (including free shipping) can attract more buyers.
Managing Offers
When you enable offers on a listing, buyers can propose a price. Here's how the negotiation works:
Accept
Happy with the price? Accept the offer and a pending order is created. The buyer will be prompted to complete payment.
Counter
Want a higher price? Send a counter-offer with your desired amount. The buyer can then accept, decline, or counter back. This can go back and forth until you agree on a price.
Decline
Not interested? Decline the offer. The buyer will be notified. You can set a minimum offer amount on your listing to prevent offers below a certain price.
Want Ads
Buyers can post Want Adsfor items they're looking for. If you have what they want, you can make them an offer directly. This is a great way to find buyers for specific items.
Fulfilling Orders
Once a buyer pays, you'll see the order in your Dashboard > Salestab. Here's the order lifecycle:
Payment Confirmed
You'll see the buyer's shipping address in your dashboard. Copy or print the shipping label directly from the order.
Ship the Item
Package your item securely and ship it. Enter the tracking number and optionally a tracking URL, then click "Mark as Shipped." The buyer will be notified.
Buyer Confirms Delivery
When the buyer receives the item, they confirm delivery. Your sale is complete and funds are transferred to your Stripe account.
Review
The buyer can leave a rating and review. Great reviews build your reputation and help you sell more.
Fees & Payments
The Game Traders keeps fees simple and transparent.
Fee Structure
Listing Fee
Creating a listing is always free
Platform Fee
Charged on the order total (item + shipping + tax) when sold
Example Sale
Payments are processed through Stripe. Funds are transferred to your connected Stripe account once the buyer confirms delivery.
Tips for Success
Write honest descriptions
Accurately describe condition, included accessories, and any defects. Honest listings lead to happy buyers and positive reviews.
Respond quickly
Reply to messages and offers promptly. Buyers often purchase from the first seller who responds.
Ship fast, ship safe
Package items securely to prevent damage in transit. Ship within 1-2 days of payment and always include tracking.
Price competitively
Use the catalog price suggestions as a guide. Enabling offers can help you sell items that might sit at a fixed price.
Build your reputation
Your seller rating is visible on your profile and listing pages. Consistently positive transactions build trust and attract more buyers.
Check Want Ads
Browse the Want Ads page regularly. Buyers actively looking for items are ready to buy.
Ready to start selling?
List your first item in minutes. It's free to create a listing.
Create a Listing