3 /5 Michael Harrold: This review is based off of the retro video game section at Dawson Pawn & Outdoors / Dawson Pawn & Check Casher in Dawson, GA.
1) Prices
Prices are hovering around eBay values. Some are a bit less and some are a bit more.
2) Haggling
Something a bit unusual happened during my visit. The guy behind the counter offered me a game I was interest in for $5 off. It was a game that I still felt was overpriced so I passed. My friend and I picked out a total of 8 games and at checkout we asked if he would cut us a bit of a deal. He said no. It was surprising that we would be offered a deal then moments were told they wouldnt haggle or deal.
3) Testing
The games do not seem cleaned and tested. They did appear relatively clean externally but the games purchased here did not initially work. I had to open them up and clean the pins myself to get them to function. If carts are not being opened and professionally cleaned this also means carts are not being checked for authenticity.
4) Returns
Minutes after purchasing our games I walked back in to see if they accepted returns. They do not.
The Wrap Up:
This place seems like its attempting to appeal to retro game collectors but has a bit of a way to go. I was overall content with the experience but do not see it as a place Id visit more than once every few months. When you stop doing "pawn shop" prices on games and do "game store retail" prices you MUST authenticate, clean, and test your games! Without a return policy (even eBay has buyer protection) there is the serious potential here for a buyer to get burned. On the other hand, if you really snoop out the deals you could come out with a few games at good prices. Is a visit worth your time? The only way to answer that is to go check the place out yourself. If you do I encourage you to also write your own review.
