How do you negotiate the sale of a video game?

What I would do is ask him if he would think of offering the game at a price that you are looking to buy it for. You can look around Ebay for games for similar prices if you want to know the average price range of this game.

If he refuses to sale the game at the reduced price, offer him a trade if you can. Try to trade him a game or something that he would likely buy that would cover the price difference between his price and your price.

But, if he refuses that offer as well, you can ask something like, "Are you sure..." and see if he will reconsider one last time. If he doesn't, he is adamant on his set price, so you will have to pay it. If you can get the money soon, try to ask if he will hold the game for you until you get the cash to pay for it.

Hope this helps!

Edit: Oh, and this will only work if it is one of the third party sellers on Amazon, not the actual site, as that is retail.

Retail value of games is pretty static across the board, along the lines the previous answerer detailed; however, if you were open to finding a used copy, you could definitely cut the price - game broker chains like Gamestop and Play and Trade sell used games that are guaranteed to play, though if it's for an older system (Nintendo64, original PlayStation, or older), a private seller on Amazon or eBay may be your only shot.

You should tell the name of the game if its some truly rare hard to obtain game in brand spanking new condition then its going to have more value.

Basically, if its never opened and new-- then its going to have retail value. Since it is an amazon trade tho, I wouldn't see the hard in asking for maybe 10 or even 15 bucks off; since the guy has no brick and mortar over head costs to consider....

Generally speaking... (considering it isnt some hard to obtain game):

If its a new game for a recently released system: $30-50 is fair. If its for a system thats been out a few years... $15-35 for unopened id say. If you are talking about really old games and its not rare...probably $10-20.

I just found the game on amazon for 44 dollars.

I know thats more expensive than you want but it is much closer than the 79 dollars.

keep an open mind there are better deals out there

http://www.amazon.com/The-Sims-2-Castaway-Nintendo...

this is the address to the page.

begin with this:

"im willing to pay *half of how much he is selling it*.

him:

1: "no way!"

2: "how about you pay *70%-90% of what he is selling it for".

you:

1: "thats my offer"

2: unless you agree with the new price he offered say: "70% deal"

him:

1: how about *70%-90%* of the item's worth.

2: deal.

you:

1: unless you agree with the new price he offered say: "70% deal"

him:

1: "deal".