This Guide is intended for Nintendo Game Boy Color Buyers and Sellers of the Consoles and some info about other similar Nintendo hand held Consoles and  now the games as well........................

My knowledge is mostly Gameboy Color and it's games.

tip THIS GUIDE WILL ALSO HELP YOU IDENTIFY REASONABLE POSTAGE FOR THESE ITEMS

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Buyers :

Always ask ????????????

Ask seller these questions if the details are not listed! I cannot stress this enough!!!!!!

Even if the console is  listed as good condition and turns on and works !!!!!!!

I've even seen listings as VGC meaning Very good condition. and works Great!

But VGC does not ALWAYS cover the basic essentials to get you a working console!

Well...................ASK ASK ASK a good working one is a great item any of these problems below well that's not so great!

Q1. Not only does it turn on , does it turn on with a game loaded into it?

Q2. Does the machine or gadget have a battery cover it's own or a replacement or a loose one?

Q3.Does the console's memory have any problem saving where your up to on any loaded game?

Q4. Does the sound work?

Q5. Do the buttons on the console have any problems (for gamboy/color buttons A and B  and the arrow keys) if these don't work properly neither will your games and it's hard to fix how disappointing!

Q6. is it Version PAL , UK , AU , meaning it can be operated in Australia with English games and accessories, You don't want a Japanese or American version etc... unless you have a Japanese or American power source!

Tip: See I've been caught out with a couple of these  the seller has sold on a faulty item not knowing you can switch a Game boy on and everything seems to work but until you load a game in it all these other things can be unknowns, and in regard to battery covers if it's a collectable limited addition you need the matching or original coloured cover for it, for it  to hold it's value.

Also if your giving it as a gift you don't want one with masking tape holding the batteries in do you?

Looks a bit tacky!

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Heres another interesting fact BUYER AND SELLER BEWARE you should not actually switch a gameboy on at all without a game loaded in it the manufacturer instructions suggest that this can ruin the console.

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NOW ABOUT GAMES Important not all games are compatable with all consoles here's which goes with which ...................

 Games for consoles

CONSOLE                         =  GAMES YOU CAN PLAY ON IT

Original Nintedo Gameboy  = original  gameboy cartridges only.

Nintendo Gameboy Pocket  = own game is built into it  not comaptible with any games at all!

Nintendo Gameboy Color    = original  gameboy cartridges + gameboy color cartridges only.

Nintendo Gameboy Advance = original  gameboy cartridges + gameboy color cartridges and  advance cartridges.

Nintendo Gameboy micro = ONLY  takes Gameboy Advance and Gameboy micro games

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SELLERS:

If you want less questions make sure you include all the answers to the questions I listed above for buyers.

Remember Gameboy Color is not Gameboy Colour just because we're in Australia Gameboy Color is the products registered trademark name and if your listing it as Colour buyers may think your selling imitations or you may not get searched as much.

But most important of all don't turn these little rippers on without games in them and tell your buyers the same I never put batteries in mine when I post them and I put a little note in the battery compartment advising do not switch on without a game loaded .

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OTHER USEFUL FACTS ABOUT GAME CARTRIDGES

Each cartridge contains it's own independant battery and once this dies so does the game unless your experienced at pulling these apart and putting them back together and have a special supplier of the special battery required then you could easily get a dud!

Also they're prone to dust damage so give them a good blow (up the open end)I use a hairdryer on cool for about 1 second  if you use your mouth be careful not to spit in it ! I know that's gross but these cartridges don't like moisture either!

Before you test them in your machine give it a blow or you can end up putting game dirt into your console.

A good seller will list the games as tested and working but you may want to ask has the game got any saving problems or does it get stuck during gameplay, because if it does this is a sign that the internal battery I mentioned earlier has had the bomb!! in other words Is on It's way out!

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HERES SOME POSTAGE COST TIPS WHEN LOOKING FOR A GOOD SELLER!

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The games/cartridges if not boxed and no instructions can be posted in a normal envelope as a regular letter for as little as $1.00  to $2.00 they are very light weight!

Maybe a bit more for bubblewrapping it in the envelope so any more than $3.50 MAX Australia wide is expensive postage and handling !!!! IN MY OPINION!

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For A boxed cartridge any item under 500gms can be parcel posted within Australia for $5.70 pre paid including the envelope cost ALSO  maybe add a little for bubblewrap/handling so about
$6.00 MAX.

For a console well, up to 3kg that WOULD COVER with accessories and games and a light etc.... You can get prepaid parcel post for $8.50 including envelope and maybe add  A LITTLE for bubblewrap/handling so $9.00 MAX  .

A postal box is from $3.40 but the box itself costs a few dollars too and it's more expensive to send these in a box as you get charged cubage.

So parcel post even with your own box inside as long as it meets the weight limitations is much much cheaper !

So Don't fall for excessive postage on Nintendo Gameboys' and games there small and generally light -report expensive postage and keep ebay fair and cheap and a place for bargains!

YOU CAN REPORT EXPENSIVE POSTAGE BY CLICKING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LISTING BY CLICKING ON

REPORT THIS ITEM

THEN LISTING POLICY VIOLATIONS

THEN CHOOSE CIRCUMVETION OF EBAY FEES

THEN CHOOSE EXCESSIVE SHIPPING AND HANDLING

THEN CLICK EMAIL US

THEN SEND

Happy bidding hope this helps try and pick a seller who advertises as tests their products and has done so recently.

G'LUCK AND HAVE AN OUTRAGEOUSLY GROOVY EBAY EXPERIENCE!