Before we get started, I need to address a few things.
- Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a huge fan of reading. Some of you might look at this post and go: “Chris didn’t actually read the book…..Did he?” I wanted to start by saying I actually did read the entire book (all 63 pages of the book to be exact). In order to give an honest review, I feel that I have to actually immerse myself into a product. I read this book over a one day period in December (yes – I actually read it doing Q4) and this is my honest opinion of the book.
- In this post, there are affiliate links for the book. This is one way that we monetize the site and if you find that this book is something you are interested in purchasing, you are given the option to purchase through these links. We will receive a commission (at no cost to you) if you purchase through one of the links. I want to make the following statement about my review of this book: My job is to give you my honest opinion. The use of affiliate links do not have an impact on my opinion of the book. If it sucks, I’ll tell you. If it doesn’t, I’ll tell you. I won’t hold anything back.
Now to the review 🙂
Where Can You Get This Book?
The book can be purchased here for $49.
What Will You Receive?
- A digital copy of The Reseller’s Guide to Board Games
- The Reseller’s Guide to Puzzle Profits
- The Board Game Notebook
- 50 Board Game BOLOs
- Top Secret Surprise Bonus
- Free updates for life
- A sixty day 100% refund policy
Who Is This Book For?
- New sellers
- Sellers looking to expand their inventory into board games
- Sellers who frequent garage sales
- Sellers who frequent thrift stores
- Sellers who frequent flea markets
- Sellers who are looking for low cost inventory that has a high return on investment
- Any seller looking to continue their education
Who Shouldn’t Read This Book?
- Someone who is looking for a list of board games to go purchase
- Someone who doesn’t like to take the time to properly prep items
- Sellers who think they already know everything there is to know about online selling
- Someone who can’t commit to spending a few days to learn a few new things
- Someone who doesn’t understand the basics of selling on Amazon
Who Wrote This Book?
Stephen Smotherman – Stephen has been selling online since 1998 and on Amazon since 2011. He currently makes a full-time income (working only part-time hours) selling via Fulfillment by Amazon. With his FBA income, he is able to support his wife and four boys. Stephen truly love helping other FBA sellers and is the brain behind the Full Time FBA Blog.
My Short Summary of The Reseller’s Guide to Board Games
“After reading the The Reseller’s Guide to a Year in FBA, I was very excited to start The Reseller’s Guide to Board Games. Once again, I was not disappointed at all with the knowledge that Stephen shares in this book. He does an incredible job of opening your eyes to a brand new niche (well new to me) and shows you step by step how to profit in it. I’m now always going to have an eye out for those board games as I go out and source.”
My Long Summary of The Reseller’s Guide to Board Games
Chapter 1: Introduction
Anytime I read a Stephen Smotherson book, I always make sure to read the introduction. It really sets the tone for the entire book and I felt as if this introduction did the same thing. It gives you some great links right up front and you get to know a little bit more about the author before you dive into the rest of the book.
Bottomline: The introduction sets up the rest of the book, so it is a must read.
Chapter 2: Why Board Games
I’ll be 100% honest. I started reading this book with no intention that I would ever want to buy and resell used board games. I mean – seriously – who wants to go through a thrift store and try to find a used board game that you have to research and make sure is all accounted for before sending it in? Not this guy.
As I read through this chapter, my mouth was hitting the floor because I was so intrigued to learn more about this world of board games. I kept wondering how much money I have left on a shelf because I didn’t take the time (or even know how to research) to look at these board games. I also reminded myself of a quote that I hear all the time: “If it was easy, everyone would do it.” Since board games take a little extra effort, you can bet your bottom dollar that 90% of sellers will glaze right over them (leaving a trail of money for you to pick up).
Bottomline: If you have any doubt that board games are profitable, this chapter will change that.
Chapter 3: Where to Find Board Games to Resell
This was a chapter that was very interesting to me since I haven’t been in the world of board game selling before. I mean, I know your typical places to source items such as Goodwill, thrift stores, etc, but Stephen does a nice job laying out a easy to use guide to on where to find these wonderful board games.
My favorite two ideas for sourcing came in number 4 and number 9. I would have never of thought of either of these ideas without reading it in this book.
Bottomline: If you have never sourced board games, this will really shed some light on where to be looking.
Chapter 4: Smart Board Game Buying Tactics
This chapter is really short and I think there is some room for improvement with the “new” board game tactics. Although it is short, this might be one of the most important chapters in the book (once you read the “used” tactics section, you will understand). I’ll take a quote right out of the book: “If you try to cut corners and speed through the process, then you run the risk of getting home and finding that your board game is missing a piece and is now worthless.”
Bottomline: This chapter is lacking a little bit in details, but I think it is a good starting point for starting your board game search.
Chapter 5: Buying on eBay and Selling on Amazon
Being a huge fan of online arbitrage, I was geeking out over this chapter. I mean, Stephen lays out a step-by-step guide to help you find board games on eBay and flip them on Amazon. I could spend an entire blog post on this chapter, but I would take away from the awesomeness of this book. I will say this. The “saved search” idea is brilliant. Just saying.
Bottomline: This is how I will be sourcing all of my board game. Best chapter in the book.
Chapter 6: Preparing Used Board Games to be Sold
If you are planning on ever selling board games on Amazon, this chapter is a must read. Stephen does a wonderful job explaining the finer details of board game preppery (I know that’s not a word, but it is the best way to describe it). There are actually a few steps I would have overlooked (I never knew how important instructions were – or how I could find missing ones).
Bottomline: Solid content. Solid layout. Solid chapter.
Chapter 7: How to Find the Missing Pieces
I never knew that I would need to know this information. I now feel like a ninja who can find any board game piece out there. The Facebook group that is mentioned was an awesome little nugget of information and I suggest you join as well. This chapter also showed me that there is an entire niche in the board game arena (that really resembles some of the niches like Lego and/or American Girl).
Bottomline: The information in this chapter is something that I never thought I would need to know, but it has tripled my possible options for board game inventory.
Chapter 8: How to Sell Individual Board Game Pieces
If I was a full time FBA seller, this is something that I would do in a heartbeat. You can literally buy a game that no one in their right mind would purchase and actually make a profit by doing the steps that are laid out in the book. I am still baffled by this entire concept, but I guess when you lose a piece to your favorite board game, you have to do what you can to find it.
Bottomline: Master the skills in this chapter and you will unlock a new world of opportunity.
Chapter 9: Where to Sell Board Games
After reading the last chapter, I thought this chapter was going to blow my mind. I was a little disappointed that the majority of the ideas in this chapter are pretty common sense. I think there could be some expansion of other platforms in the next edition of this book (which you will get for free if you buy the book).
Bottomline: Honestly, this could have been added to the 2nd chapter and it would have helped preface the book a little more. I don’t know why it has its own chapter.
Chapter 10: Setting up Your Board Game Description
I am positive that Stephen could write a book just over the information in this chapter. I am marketing fanatic and the templates that he provides can give any first time lister a good starting point to write a perfect description for your products. As I state below, this chapter can help any seller (new to experienced) with their description writing.
Bottomline: The information in this chapter can help you with all of your listings, not just board games.
Chapter 11: Shipping Board Games
Now that you have actually made sale, it’s time to ship your board game to your customer. This chapter tells you where you can get free supplies, how NOT to pack an item, and how to go that extra step to make sure your customer is satisfied. I will be using some of these tips when I sell my board games. I also really enjoyed that he broke it down for a single board game and multiple board games (for those of us that use FBA). I wish he would have added in the option of using Amazon’s fulfillment services for third party shipping. It’s a little critique, but I think that it could really help those who hate shipping.
Bottomline: I think one major idea was missing, but overall a good chapter.
Chapter 12: Final Thoughts
There really isn’t much I can say about this chapter. It does a good job bringing the book to a nice close.
Bottomline: A nice summary for the entire book.
Bonus Chapter: Protecting Your Investment (or: Making Sure the Games you Buy on eBay are Packaged Properly and Don’t Arrive on your Doorstep Damaged)
One of my biggest complaints with this book is that this chapter is considered “bonus.” This is such a valuable chapter that I couldn’t imagine the book without it. The template that Stephen lays out for communication with eBay sellers will save me a ton of time when I purchase from eBay (on almost any item, not just board games).
Bottomline: The chapter shouldn’t be a bonus. It should be mandatory reading.
Final Thoughts
As I look back at the book as a whole, I have to say that I believe that Stephen did an excellent job with this book. It is an easy to read 63 page guide that makes you really want to go out and purchase some board games. I have never sold a used board game in my life, but I now feel 100% comfortable that I could with ease after reading this book. Once again, Stephen knocks a book out of the park.
Would I Buy It Again: Yes. I learned some things from it. I’m not a board game guy, but if actually do what is written in the book, you will make a killing.
Is It Worth The $49: If you actually take action with what you learn from this book, you will make your money back within the first 4 board games you purchase. So, I would say it is worth the money.
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars – This was a very interesting book, but it doesn’t fall into my business model (I almost never visit thrift stores or garage sales. I have to give it 4 stars because it made me have the desire to go start searching for board games, but I am still not 100% sure I want to go garage sale hopping.
Where Can I Get The Book: You can purchase the book here.
CW