Fast Checks for Board Games and Puzzles
Jun 14, 2025
Reselling board games and puzzles can be highly profitable, but only if you manage quality control efficiently. Buyers expect complete sets, clear condition notes, and transparency about missing or replacement pieces. Creating a fast and reliable checking method before you list an item saves time, reduces returns, and builds trust with customers.
Why Counting Pieces Matters
Even a single missing pawn or puzzle piece can significantly reduce the value of an otherwise desirable game. Collectors and families alike want assurance that the product they’re buying is usable out of the box. By performing a fast check and recording results, you can maintain consistency in your inventory and avoid negative reviews.
Step 1: Gather Reference Material
Before you start counting, have the official parts list on hand. You can often find scanned instructions, parts breakdowns, or rulebooks online through communities like BoardGameGeek. These sources can quickly guide you toward knowing exactly how many tokens, cards, pawns, dice, or puzzle pieces should be in the box.
Step 2: Create a Standardized Record
Instead of scribbling notes on scraps of paper, keep a single record system where each game or puzzle entry includes:
Title of the game or puzzle
Official total piece count
Number of pieces confirmed
Missing or damaged parts (if any)
Condition notes (box wear, rulebook condition, etc.)
This ensures you won’t need to recount every time the item is relisted or moved. Records should be searchable and easy to update. Using a structured database speeds up checks, especially if you have a growing inventory.
Step 3: Set Up Piece Count Shortcuts
Not every game requires you to dump out and count each token. Use some practical shortcuts for faster verification:
Unique Shapes/Colors: For puzzle counts, pile pieces by color and edge to quickly identify missing corners or dominant sections.
Card Deck Checks: Check thickness against a standard deck rather than counting one by one.
Game Currency or Tokens: Count in stacks of five or ten to keep accuracy high without slowing down.
Replacement History: Record common missing items so you can check them first (dice, pawns, special cards).
Step 4: Transparently Note Missing or Damaged Parts
When you do find missing pieces, transparency is crucial. Write clear notes such as:
"Game is missing 2 blue pawns and 1 Chance card. Otherwise complete and playable."
For puzzles, state whether a piece is missing or replaced from another set. Many buyers are still willing to purchase incomplete sets for parts, crafting uses, or nostalgia projects.
Step 5: Use Tools to Maintain Inventory Quality
Digital tools can help manage your records at scale. A structured inventory database allows you to store piece counts, condition notes, and test results in one place. For example, Gavelbase provides simple record-keeping designed for resellers, allowing you to maintain checklists and condition notes alongside your items. This eliminates the hassle of flipping between spreadsheets or trying to remember what was already checked.
Other useful tools outside the reselling space include:
Trello for managing verification checklists visually.
Google Sheets for sharing basic logs with team members.
Mobile scanning apps for attaching photos of piece layouts to your records.
Step 6: Standardize a Fast Check Workflow
Consistency helps scale your side hustle or business. A strong workflow looks like this:
Pull official parts list from a reliable source.
Quick count using shortcuts (weigh decks, stack pieces, group by shape).
Record totals and condition notes in your single record system.
Photograph contents neatly arranged for future reference.
Clearly write listing notes about completeness or missing parts.
Step 7: Add Value with Verified Listings
Buyers on platforms like eBay, Mercari, and Etsy appreciate sellers who do the work upfront. Adding photos of the organized components not only verifies the game but also makes your listing stand out. Highlight your verification in the description with phrases like “Verified Complete” or “Checked for missing pieces.” This can boost both trust and selling price.
Extra Tip: Pre-Box Sorting
Keep resealable bags or small containers handy for organizing pieces within each box. This reduces the chance of losing anything in storage and keeps your inventory much easier to reverify later. Labeling each bag also helps if a buyer needs assurance post-purchase.
Conclusion
Fast checks for board games and puzzles don’t have to be tedious if you use smart shortcuts and maintain a single record for each item. Counting key pieces, noting missing ones upfront, and keeping accurate condition records protects your reputation while streamlining your reselling workflow. With the right system in place, you turn a potential bottleneck into a confidence-building step in your sales process.