This is the mistake that every collector made at least once: to return from a happy brocante, then realize that we already owned the game. Or worse: find out we bought the bad variant: a UK PAL while hunting the PAL FR, a Platinum when we wanted the black label.
Duplicates cost money and cover the shelf. Good news: they are easy to avoid with some reflexes.
Quick response
- Duplicates come mainly from the memory (it is believed not to have) and variants (same game, other version).
- Keep a follow-up consultable on mobile to check in two seconds before buying.
- Note the specific version (region, edition, state): a "duplicate" may or may not be a legitimate variant.
- Before any purchase by brocante/Vinted, take the reflex of check your collection.
- A dedicated app like SideQuest makes it instant, even offline.
Why doublons come
Three main causes, all human:
- The memory fades. Beyond fifty games, impossible to hold everything. We hesitate, we buy "in case" and it was a duplicate.
- The variants deceive. "I already have it but not in this edition", sometimes it's a real addition, sometimes a disguised duplicate. Without precise follow-up, we don't know.
- Pulsive purchase. As a brocante, good business creates urgency. We buy fast, we check too late.
The common point: the information is not there at the right time, i.e. at the time of payment.
The 5 doublon reflexes
1. Centralize your collection in the same place
One tool, kept up to date. Not three lists scattered between a spreadsheet, notes and your memory. If the information is scattered, you will not consult it at the right time.
2. Note the version, not just the title
"Final Fantasy IX" is not enough. Note region (PAL FR), platform, editing and status. That's what tells you if the opportunity before you is a real addition or a duplicate.
3. Make your searchable list offline
Brokers and garages don't always have networks. If your tool does not work offline, keep at least one export or some recent catches of your priority lists.
4. Take the reflex "I check before paying"
Three seconds of verification is better than a buyback. Before each purchase, open your collection and look for the title. It quickly becomes an automation.
5. Voluntary duplication and duplication
Sometimes we want** a duplicate: a second copy to play, a different edition to collect. That is legitimate, provided it is a choice, not a mistake. Write it down so you don't get confused later.
The case trap: "same game, other region"
The most sneaky duplicate is not always one. Example: you have a game in PAL UK, you come across the PAL FR. Is that a duplicate?
- If your rule is "one version per game" → Yes, it is a duplicate to avoid (or an upgrade to arbitrate).
- If you collect the variants by region → No, it's a legitimate addition.
The answer depends on the collection rule. The important thing is to have defined it, and your follow-up reflects the exact version of each copy.
Follow its duplicate-free collection with SideQuest
SideQuest is designed for this specific moment: You're on the brocante, a game tempts you, you open the app and you immediately see if you own it and in what version. Each game is followed with its region PAL FR, its edition and its state, so you distinguish a true duplicate from a legitimate addition. No buyback by mistake, no bad variant.
FAQ
How do I know if I already own a game before buying it?
Keep your collection in a mobile search tool and check before paying. A dedicated app allows this verification in two seconds, even out of connection while brocing.
Does a game in another region count as a duplicate?
It depends on your collection rule. If you only want one version per game, yes. If you collect the variants by region (PAL FR, JAP, US), this is a legitimate addition provided you note it precisely.
Is a spreadsheet sufficient to avoid duplication?
At first, yes, but it must be easily available in the field. A heavy spreadsheet, not practical on mobile, will not be open at the time of purchase and this is where duplicates are born.
Should duplication always be avoided?
No. Some duplicates are voluntary: one copy to play, another to collect, or different editions. Error is the duplicate, not the duplicate chosen.
SideQuest helps you track your physical video game collections, variants and ads in one place. [Discover SideQuest →][/]
