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How to Get a Cheap Xbox One

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Microsoft’s Xbox One has been described by a lot of people in a different ways since it was released back in November of 2013. Some have called it Microsoft’s folly, a reference to the early missteps Microsoft made when it originally planned to force users into installing all of their games to its hard drive. Others have described the Xbox One as a video game console in the shape of a VCR. Until fairly recently, hardly anyone had described a cheap Xbox One.

When Microsoft launched the console, it was the most expensive set-top box and gaming console we’d seen since the arrival of Sony’s PS3. It cost $499 and included a Kinect 2 sensor whether users wanted it or not. In short order, Microsoft introduced a cheaper bundle that doesn’t include the Kinect 2 sensor, but even it can’t be described as a cheap Xbox One. It costs $349.

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Here’s how to get a cheap Xbox One if you’re looking to save some cash.

How to Get a Cheap Xbox One -Trade-Ins

GameStop

The obvious place to start looking for a cheap Xbox One console is a place that allows others users to trade-in their gently used consoles and accessories already. Of course, that means a trip to GameStop, the world’s largest independent games retailer.

GameStop lets users trade-in their old gaming systems and accessories towards newer systems. The more you trade in, the more likely you are to score a cheap Xbox One since GameStop lets users stack credit. For the best results users will want to trade-in their stuff for GameStop credit instead of cash. GameStop doesn’t let users send in their trades to its online store. As such, you’ll need to head to a GameStop close by to process your trade.

One store that does process online trade-ins is Amazon, the world’s largest shopping website. Amazon lets you browse what devices are fetching the most and then print a label. They then credit the value of your trade-in to your Amazon account as credit. That credit can then be used to purchase anything in its store including a cheap Xbox One. To be clear, both Amazon and GameStop also accept personal electronics and smartphones like the iPhone. Typically, those will fetch even more credit than your old game console will.

With both services, you want to make sure you are comfortable with the credit you’re getting before you make the trade-in. GameStop is notorious for its somewhat low trade-in offers on the Xbox 360 and PS3. Today, both of those consoles fetch around $30 to $40 if you’re trying to get rid of their first incarnations.

How to Get a Cheap Xbox One – The Microsoft Store

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The Microsoft Store does offer some discounts and savings on most Microsoft products, but that’s not the case with the Xbox One. The best users can do there is free shipping and the same $349.99 price as everyone else. That being said, Microsoft does sell a cheap Xbox One, depending on what you plan on buying. On the company’s Microsoft Store retail website is a refurbished Xbox One with Kinect 2 Sensor that includes a digital copy of Titanfall. That console bundle could easily fetch $499. Right now you can get it for $399.

How to Get a Cheap Xbox One – Craigslist

craigslist

Finally, there’s Craigslist, the world’s biggest place to swap and purchase devices. Like GameStop, you can sell your old console and use it to finance a cheap Xbox One. What’s more, there are usually tons of Xbox One owners offering their Xbox One consoles at rates that are a lot lower than what you get if you purchase it new.

A quick check at on our local Craigslist listings showed Xbox One consoles for as low as $250, which is why we’re including it in the cheap Xbox One guide. That being said most of them were around $320. That’s certainly not ridiculously cheap Xbox One territory, but its savings nonetheless.

How to Get a Cheap Xbox One – What Not to Do

Tracking down a deal to get a cheap Xbox One can be exhilarating, but there are some smart steps you should take to make sure your cheap Xbox One quest doesn’t turn into a lesson on what not do. First, if you’re going to buy a used Xbox One, do it from GameStop or Best Buy. These companies test the consoles as they come in to insure you’re not getting a broken console. If there’s any problem with the console they’ll give you a new one or refund your money too.

That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t explore what Craigslist has to offer, but be sensible. If you’re determined to buy on Craigslist, choose a public place. If you can, open the box before exchanging cash to make sure you aren’t being cheated. Too many stories of users purchasing what they thought was a cheap Xbox One and turned out to be full of bricks and sediment have cropped up in the last year.

Read: Xbox One Buying Guide – What Xbox One Games Should You Buy?

Good luck finding your cheap Xbox One. If you’re not comfortable with trading in your console or buying used, check out our Xbox One Buying Guide for more buying advice and tips.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. ___

    05/25/2015 at 12:39 am

    I never thought I’d get an Xbox 360 when it first came out because of the price. But they’re so cheap now. Same thing will happen with Xbox One. Xbox One isn’t even worth it’s ridiculous price right now. I wouldn’t even get one if not for their bait (batman arkham knight)

  2. Jack

    08/29/2015 at 10:38 am

    I’m just going to wait until the next console to buy one.

    • _

      11/19/2015 at 6:01 pm

      why? dont you want to play video games now?

  3. Brian

    11/22/2015 at 7:14 pm

    Beezid is a scam. There are people posting ads on Craigslist selling xbox ones for $200 and under . But when they reply back they say they just sold it and to try beezid . That they got there’s on there. But when you try beezid it is impossible to actually win one. Probably would cost $400 just in bids. So save yourself the misery and don’t be a sucker like I was.

  4. Chester

    04/10/2016 at 12:24 am

    https://cheapgaming.mysimplestore.com/ best place new gen consoles refurbished ps4 $40

    • Kenneth

      04/16/2016 at 1:53 pm

      Chester was cheapgaming.com a scam or did you actually get the ps4 with all its power cords and controller for that price. Please lete know because I would like to get one

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