How to Flip Discontinued Board Game Inserts for Profit (2026)

Most casual resellers ignore board game inserts, but there’s a hardcore group of collectors and board game hobbyists who’ll pay serious cash for the right trays, organizers, and original packaging pieces—especially for titles out of print. Last spring, I picked up a nearly trashed copy of 'Betrayal at House on the Hill' for $10 at a yard sale. The box was beat, but the insert was pristine. I sold just the insert for $54 on eBay (after fees, that's $43 net), and tossed the rest of the game.

Why do these sell? Two reasons: 1) People lose or damage their inserts all the time, and 2) Custom or brand-specific inserts for games like 'Twilight Imperium' or 'Gloomhaven' can go out of production, leaving players desperate for a replacement that fits just right. The market isn’t massive, but the buyers are motivated and willing to pay up—especially if you’re the only one selling.

Expect to make $30-70 profit per insert on the right titles. Don’t expect these to fly off the shelf overnight, but the sale price is usually well worth the wait. Just avoid inserts for mass-market games like Monopoly or Sorry—those aren’t worth your time unless it’s a vintage or limited edition set.

Not every board game insert is a winner. You want discontinued, highly sought-after games—think Fantasy Flight, Stonemaier, or older Avalon Hill titles. Look for inserts from:

• Gloomhaven first edition (sold one for $89 last February, paid $8 at a church sale)
• Twilight Imperium 3rd and 4th edition (sold the insert alone for $55 on Mercari two months ago)
• Betrayal at House on the Hill (mentioned above, $54 sale)
• Vintage HeroQuest (insert went for $120, found in a $20 junk box lot)
• Ticket to Ride 10th Anniversary or Europe editions (I’ve flipped inserts for $60-75 each)

What sells best:

• Plain plastic or cardboard inserts in excellent shape (no warping, no stains)
• Custom inserts from brands like Broken Token or Folded Space (original packaging helps value)
• Inserts with original cardboard punchboards or component trays still intact

Watch out for water damage, cigarette odor, and missing structural pieces. If you can, take close-up photos and compare to listings on eBay’s sold section. A quick eBay search by title + 'insert' will tell you if it’s worth grabbing.

DealFlipAI can help by flagging listings on Facebook Marketplace that mention 'organizer', 'tray', or 'insert' from the right brands or editions.

Not all platforms are equal for inserts. Here’s what I’ve found after 7+ years:

eBay is king for rare inserts. International buyers, broad reach, easy search filters. I’ve sold inserts for as much as $120 to buyers in Australia and Germany. Just watch out for the 13.25% fee on collectibles—factor that into your pricing.

Mercari is my go-to for mid-tier titles. Less competition, and the 10% flat fee is easier to swallow. Shipping is simple—Mercari’s prepaid labels work for odd shapes, though Pirate Ship sometimes beats their rates for bigger inserts.

BoardGameGeek Marketplace skews more niche, but the buyers are ultra-knowledgeable. I sold a Folded Space insert for 'Viticulture' there for $48 (bought in a $10 lot). Downside: slower sales velocity and more picky buyers, but barely any fees.

Facebook Marketplace works for local flips or if you want to avoid shipping. I once offloaded a Catan insert locally for $35 cash (paid $5 at Goodwill), no fees, no shipping worries. Use DealFlipAI to auto-search for underpriced listings near you.

Time-wise, eBay listings usually sell in 1-3 weeks if you price at the low end of sold comps. Mercari’s about the same. BGG Marketplace can take a few months, but the buyers are serious.

Here’s how I consistently find inserts that flip for $40-100 profit:

1. Hit Thrift Stores Weekly: Focus on stores with lots of board games (think Goodwill, Salvation Army). Open every box. Check for inserts in good shape—even if the rest is missing or trashed. Last week I found a HeroQuest insert for $3 at a thrift—sold for $100 on eBay.

1. Garage Sales and Estate Sales: Go early. Ask if they have old board games, even if none are out. Sometimes the best finds are in a dusty closet. I got a Twilight Imperium insert for $5 at an estate sale this spring—flipped for $55.

1. Facebook Marketplace with DealFlipAI: Set up alerts for discontinued game titles or 'insert', 'organizer', 'tray', and filter by price. You’ll often spot people selling incomplete games for $5-15. Snag the insert, toss the rest.

1. Bulk Lots on eBay: Search for 'board game parts', 'junk lot', or 'game pieces'. Sometimes you’ll see a pile of boxes for $20-30—just for parts. I once scored three valuable inserts this way and turned $25 into $150 profit.

1. BoardGameGeek Forums: Post 'WTB' (want to buy) threads. Sometimes collectors will offload inserts cheap just to clear space.

Track your buys and what inserts move fastest. Over time, you’ll spot trends—like Gloomhaven and HeroQuest inserts always moving quickly and for top dollar.

Your listing needs to make buyers feel confident, since nobody likes surprises with used game parts. Here’s what’s worked for me:

Photos:

• Take clear shots of the insert from multiple angles
• Show any wear or flaws up close
• If it’s a custom insert (e.g., Broken Token), include a photo of the logo or original packaging

Pricing:

• Check eBay sold comps by searching '[Game Title] insert' (filter by 'Sold Items')
• Undercut the lowest completed sale by $3-5 if you want a fast sale
• For rare inserts (like vintage HeroQuest), go high and wait for the right buyer; I sold one for $120 after sitting for 6 weeks

Shipping:

• Use Pirate Ship for odd shapes—cheaper than eBay or Mercari most of the time
• Bubble wrap and a sturdy box are essential. I’ve had inserts snap in transit (lost $80 profit once due to poor packing—lesson learned)
• Factor in shipping cost, especially for larger inserts. Sometimes flat-rate boxes are your best bet

Titles & Keywords:

• Always include the game title, edition, and 'insert', 'organizer', or 'tray' in both the title and description

A solid listing means fewer questions and faster sales. Buyers will pay a premium for clear, honest photos and a detailed description.

I've screwed up a few times flipping inserts, and those lessons cost me. Here’s what to watch for:

• Missing Pieces: Some inserts come in multiple parts or have removable trays. Always check for every piece before buying. I once bought a 'Scythe' insert for $12, but it was missing the coin tray—could only sell for $18 instead of $50.
• Warping/Mold: Inserts stored in damp basements can warp or grow mold. If it smells musty or looks wavy, skip it. I lost $40 on a Gloomhaven insert that looked fine until I opened it at home.
• Overpaying on Shipping: Inserts can be awkward to ship. Don’t eyeball it—measure and weigh before listing. I once charged $8 for shipping and ended up paying $24 out of pocket for an oversized box.
• Fakes and Aftermarket Repros: Some sellers try to pass off homemade inserts as originals. Always look for logos or distinctive design elements. Compare with legit eBay listings if you’re unsure.
• Too Niche Titles: Not every discontinued game has demand. If you can’t find any sold listings for the insert, don’t buy unless it’s basically free.

Red flags:

• Blurry or single photo listings
• Vague descriptions like 'parts only, as is'
• Sellers who won’t answer questions or provide more pics

If you’re unsure, skip it. One $12 mistake hurts less than a $50 loss.

Once you’ve flipped a few inserts for $40-120 profit each, you’ll want to rinse and repeat. Here’s how I scaled from casual flips to consistent $500+ months with inserts:

• Build a spreadsheet of hot titles (Gloomhaven, HeroQuest, Twilight Imperium, Betrayal, Ticket to Ride 10th Anniv.)—track every sale and profit margin
• Set up DealFlipAI alerts for key phrases and brands in your local area
• Check thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace daily (the best flips go fast—last month, I snagged a rare Catan 15th Anniversary insert for $20 and sold it for $85 in under a week)
• Bundle inserts with extra parts or manuals for bigger sales—I once bundled a Twilight Imperium insert and two card trays, got $110 for the lot
• Outsource packing or listing to a friend or family member if you’re getting overwhelmed

If you want to go bigger, start reaching out to local game stores about buying their damaged or incomplete inventory. They’re often thrilled to clear out space—and you can part out the inserts for easy wins. I bought a lot of 10 incomplete games for $50 last year and pulled $430 in total profit from the inserts alone.

Seasonal tip: Demand spikes around the holidays (Oct-Dec) when people restore old games as gifts. Stock up in summer and list heavy in the fall.