Why I wouldn't recommend The Exchange secondhand stores

• This place has higher then eBay. It doesn't make since the prices they charge. I went in for something as simple as a wii remote they wanted 30+ . I found one online tested and works perfect 15 buck free shipping and wii motion plus . I don't get the prices they put on things . The worker wanted to explain why but I stoped him there was no way I'd pay that .sorry for people who just buy things before looking around your getting ripped off . - Charles G. 2/5
• I don't take anything to sell there any more  .i know somethings you sell them maybe be all over the place at a cheap priice but I  am tired of seeing current blu rays at $21.00 used that I have seen they put out for new prices but never give you more than $5.oo dallors for the exxchange does this all the time they stick it to their sellers and their buyers I would not recommend this store to anyone for anything but games . - William B. 1/5
• When I went to trade in some games and movies, they told me to go look around and some one will come and find me and give me my total. we walked around for 30 minutes and finally got tired of waiting and went to the desk and They tried to low ball us on the sale offering us 18.00 in cash but 25.00 in store credit. when I checked the price of the games on ebay and amazon and gamestop and other sites. they gave us a real low price. Then they bought only 5 games and 5 movies and return to me 20 iteams including snes games - Quin H. 1/5
• After spending nearly $400, I would hope that a business would have enough customer service ethic to replace defective and/or missing components. Or at least a refund. Store credit that "expires" in any number of days is a slap in the face to an already dissatisfied customer. I recommend getting a game system from elsewhere...money-back guarantee. They do have a large selection of media. Just make sure your stuff works before leaving the store. - Rebecca H. 2/5
• Keep your receipt if you sell things to them. This is required for any future purchases using the credit, which was not disclosed to me. I didn't keep my receipt, and now I'm out $70 with no more than a "Sorry, nothing we can do." - Bill N. 1/5
• Cool store, decent games, some employees that were really nice. The manager has been a total dick to me every time I have been in, so that is the reason for the review. Not only was he rude but he also refused to give me a receipt for my trade ins and refused to walk me through how much they were offering to pay me for each game/ movie. Felt like I got really ripped off and had no choice about it. The guy took the games away from me before I even agreed to the trade-in. Also the dick told me that I could not use their trashcan. What an asshole - Samuel C. 1/5
• Terribly, terribly disappointed in the poor customer service at The Exchange. When I arrived home to watch my movie, I realized that the DVD was scratched and I was unable to watch 1/4 of the movie. Although disappointed, I thought 'no big deal' I can return it. after reading the reviews, I had high expectations for this store. they had a pretty big selection but their prices were either equal to or more expensive than Gamestop's. Gears of War at Exchange: $15 Gears of War at Gamestop: $5 it looked nice though. they didn't have much for their NES and SNES collection either - Justin F. 2/5

So in my quest to locate the best spots for retro videogames in the city, I've visited most of what there is, and finally visited The Exchange today, a place with a good reputation that turned out to be a disappointment. Here goes:

Location: Wicker Park. Trendy and cool, sure, but impossible to find parking most of the time, and one of those claustrophobic neighborhoods where it feels like half the streets are always closed for repair and you're trying to figure out one-way traffic patterns while swerving to avoid bike messengers. I did it on a day off, in the middle of a weekday, to minimize the hassle factor, but even then it wasn't great.

Inventory: Good in terms of variety. They had lots of NES, SNES, and especially original GameBoy games (which hardly anyone else has). Also, their stock was alphabetical and shelved in cases, which meant the carts weren't being regularly tossed around, dinged up, scratched, or disarrayed by other customers, which is a big plus. Some of the stuff I pulled out of the cases was in mediocre-to-bad shape, but they do appear to have at least cleaned some or all of the games I looked at and I did buy a copy of Super Mario Land in very good shape for a reasonable price, so it's hit or miss. They also had a decent selection of systems and rarities, including a NES copy of Metal Storm, which I'll get to in a minute, but they got two stars instead of one from me purely on the strength of having their act together inventory-wise.

Prices: This was a big disappointment. I'd heard that cheap games could be had here from a large selection, and I didn't spot a single title of any of the systems I looked at that was cheaper than Pricecharting's listing for average ebay sales. Their games and systems were both broadly overpriced (some just a buck or two, and they do have a rewards card, but a few as much as $30 over what I've seen online or even in other stores in Chicago). Add in the $5 in gas it took me to drive down and back from the north suburbs, the $1 parking meter, and 11% Cook County tax and I was already feeling that good deals on prices were a must to justify coming here in the first place. Wretchedly, several games on my list were priced $5, $10 or more above their current market value. And I don't mean rarities or boxed games, I mean loose carts of popular things they printed millions of like Contra, Final Fantasy, and Super Metroid. These games in particular are already overpriced on the collector market, but instead of an already-absurd $30 Contra, which every kid in the 80s had, The Exchange was asking something like $40. Final Fantasy (usually $17-19 on eBay) was $30. I'm not a newcomer to the city, so I expected a "Wicker Park lease" markup, but again the reputation of this store is that you can find good games at good prices, and that's just demonstrably not the case. Bummer. They did, however, have that copy of Metal Storm, in reasonable shape, for $100 against an average online price of $95. I was interested, reached for my wallet, and had them unlock the case.

Customer Service: The most basic thing that every retro game collector knows is to look at the circuit boards of rare old cartridge-based videogames in order to confirm their condition and authenticity. This is just a given, and it's neither paranoid nor unreasonable to ask, even when you have no reason to think a game isn't functional and authentic. I was leery because Metal Storm in particular is a game that is frequently bootlegged, reproduced, or otherwise tampered with precisely because it's rare and valuable, which is why I haven't purchased one online and I was hoping to find one in person that I could check out before I bought it. So I assumed, wrongly, that a store known as THE place to go for retro gaming in the city wouldn't even blink at being asked to open the cart so I could visually confirm the board and check the condition of the connector pins. I was told flatly that they do not open any of their games. They offered to plug it into a system and boot it up (which wouldn't necessarily confirm its authenticity if it was a reproduction), and to take returns in the store up to (I think) 30 days, which is reasonable, but again: I deliberately have waited months to even go here because I dislike driving and parking in Wicker Park. I politely declined and passed on the game, and left disappointed.

Some advice for the bro behind the counter who clearly doesn't understand what it means to put a $100 price tag on a 30-year old Nintendo game and lock it behind a glass case: you MUST be willing to open these and let customers confirm their authenticity and condition. Not doing so is to fundamentally misunderstand both your own product and the customer you're trying to sell it to.

The verdict: Hey, if you live nearby, maybe it's better than nothing, but this is hardly the goldmine of retro gaming its reputation suggests. It's a used media store that's uncompetitive with eBay. No thank you. - Mark B. 2/5

• This review is based on their vinyl selection. Poor selection, overpriced and damaged. I think this sums it up. Their vinyl bins not the proper size so everything that gets shelved will be damaged in order to fit in these bins. This is such a bizarre phenomenon? A true red flag that a shop simply does not care or they are just clueless. Also what a sterile environment to buy and appreciate music? CDs are all kept behind security cases (like CDs are such a valuable medium - hello?) Seriously, not worth a visit for vinyl or music. Lowest possible rating. :( - Neon G. 1/5
• The employees were pleasant, however, it's imperative that you check your items before purchasing.  My DVD turned out to be a former library copy, missing its accompanying booklet and quite scratched albeit playable.  Will cease going to brick and mortar establishments in future. Found same item on ebay for less without the hoodwinking. I prefer Reckless Records - I don't like the fact that everything is in a locked case. Plus, I called them Saturday, July 16, 2016 to see if they had an item in stock. It took 20 rings for them to answer and the guy kept getting the title wrong.  I suspect he didn't't even check the system.  I've been in here dozens of times and I've  never seen the place overwhelmed with customers.  Just another jacksss. Good place to check if desperate, otherwise order online preferably from another vendor.- Devon S. 2/5
• Went in looking for a pair of headphones. Found a pair and asked one of the employees if I was able to return them if I didn't like the quality. He answered yes, as long as I have the receipt. (Ended up testing them out that night, didn't like them) Came in two days later to return them with the receipt and a different employee (woman) at the register refused to take them stating, 'if there isn't anything wrong with them, we aren't returning it'. Even after telling her I've been lied to and now being scammed of my money ($50) she refused to give my money back. Having worked in retail before, any managers I've worked with would have happily returned them under those circumstances, but the management here value a few bucks over customers here. - Joseph P. 1/5
• They sold me a used playstation 3 without a remote in the box (as advertised) that did not work with an hdmi cord.  I brought it back, and they told me that the console did in fact work and that it's my fault there is no controller in the box.  Finally, they NEVER accept returns for game consoles that are functioning. I pointed to their return policy, posted prominently near the cash register, which states "Returns require a receipt" and that "There may be a restocking fee."  I asked how there could ever be a restocking fee or the need for a receipt if they never accept returns.  He said it doesn't matter what the sign says, no returns is store policy.  I left the equipment there, despite his protests.  They can fight this one with Chase bank; the charge is already off of my credit card, so no sweat off my back.  But I wonder: how many of their customers return once they've been treated this way? - Nate M. The Exchange 1/5
• I have been to this store and gotten some good cds but depending on who you get at this stores and the one on Belmont I bought a dvd that was in a blu-ray case they charged me a blu-price and it was only a dvd and bonus disc these people have deceptive. Sales practices .they have done this to me twice.once at others store on Belmont.there is no such thing as honestly with these people and on top dof it if I take it back I'll get hit with a restock fee so no matter what I do .I was taken at there Belmont store Too. I was told by one of there sales people a certain price after looking I went bought this cd and when  I got home and looked at the receipt they had charged me the regular price not the discount price there guy said he would give me. they not above slipping one past you. I will never go to any of there store again nor will I recommend them.be careful I will not go back to them a 3rd time - WIlliam B. 1/5
• Okay this place is border line terrible if it wasnt for the old fashion games they have and the low price systems and ps3 games i would never show my face here- first off when you walk in the store it smells TERRIBLE- like a mildew kinda smell- i almost dont want to be in there too long considering how musty it is in the store- aside from the funky store its boring to go through/ no creativity just plain games in glass shelves and thats about it- they need to throw some posters up/ disorganize a bit stop trying to make a fun place so uptight and boring to walk through- also i dont know what kinda experience people are getting but mines was flawed- the girl who bought my ps3 system/ a video game and over 9 different movies charged me 110 for the whole bunch and thats store credit i was going to get 80 dollars cash- that personally is just as worst as gamestop- aside from that the girl taking my stuff for cash seemed really out of it/ i dunno if she was high or tired but she seemed a bit slow in the head- i asked her simple questions and it seemed to not register fast enough/ over all i really am disappointed in this place/ it sucks cause when i first saw it i was shocked as soon as i walked in i wasnt so happy - Azaiah L. - The Exchange 2/5
• I'm a vintage gamer and while The Exchange has a lot of hard to find items, their prices are among the highest while their quality remains low.  I've had issues with every console bought there despite repeatedly being told they were tested thoroughly (they don't let you watch while they test anything).  Their testing standards seem to change depending on who you speak to.  The games I've bought have been hit-or-miss and are often very dirty.  Even their movie collection is priced so high you can sometimes get brand new on Amazon for what they charge for a used, beat-up copy of something.  I've had mixed results at Disc Replay, too, but at least they charge prices that are appropriate for the quality.  I'm tired of returning items so I'll take my business elsewhere. - Jason C. 1/5
• Look up anything in the store online and it will be much cheaper. Most overpriced store in existence. The workers hover around you and won't leave you alone. The company is run by hipsters and it shows. All the employees are hipsters, and the prices are outrageous because they think because it's "retro" it's worth more. It didn't used to be like this. I remember going and getting older retro games for like $1-$2 a piece and the most popular retro games cost no more than $20. Now....FORGET IT. The cheapest, worst games they have are $5 and the aforementioned popular games are now like $50! Used Blu-ray movies cost the same as brand new ones, it's laughable. Every time I have had an issue with an item they have given me a hasstle when returning the item also. I didn't even touch on the trade in prices. Oh boy....worse than Gamestop. In short to sum all this up, they are a total ripoff and will no longer give them my business. If you want to pay outrageous prices and support this BS go right ahead. - Tamba H. 1/5
• I used to like this place, but ever since they have become so inflexible about rushing to take your CD to the front counter ---- ASAP --- so you won't steal it.... and they stand right there two inches from you as you look at a CD, I mean, I am a 50 year-old adult, I am not looking to steal it like a teenager might, PULLLEEEEAASSE.
• Oh, and the biggest gripe I have, the manager, a 20 something chick with hipster glasses and blonde hair, she is just uptight and rude. Not a pleasant experience at all. Its a poor excuse of a record store. - Mick K. 1/5