About
Proudly serving the Ames and Des Moines areas for over 30 years, Mayhem carries a vast selection of new and back-issue comic books, manga, Funko POPs, toys, board games, card games, role-playing games, miniature games, and comic and gaming supplies. We are a clean and friendly place to catch up on your favorite series, try out a new game, or play in one of our public events!
Frequently Asked Questions
BUYING
Do you buy used items?
Yes! We will look at the following secondhand items:
- Magic: the Gathering cards (singles and bulk)
- Pokémon cards (singles and bulk)
- Lorcana cards (singles and bulk)
- gently used trade paperbacks and graphic novels
- comic books (During the month of November 2025, Mayhem DSM are only accepting SMALL comic collections - the size of a short box or less - until we have processed the larger collections currently in the store.)
- Funko Pops
- RPG books
We do NOT buy any of the following:
- sealed CCG packs of any kind
- basic lands (MTG) or basic energy or code cards (Pokémon)
- CCG cards or trading cards other than those listed above
- sports cards of any kind
- electronics of any kind
- graded cards
- graded comics
- miniatures
- board games - but you can sell your used board games on consignment, see below!
How much do you offer?
For cash offers, we offer a check for a flat 1/3 of the price we would sell the item(s) at. We do not offer cash for used trade paperbacks or graphic novels (but we may offer store credit for those items). The offer must meet a minimum threshhold of $20 in order for us to write a check. You must be at least 18 and have a valid ID in order for us to write a check.
For store credit, offers start at 50% of the price we would sell the item(s) at, and go as high as 75% for certain items.
If you are looking to trade bulk Magic, Pokémon, or Lorcana, we offer $5 in store credit per row of a standard 5-row card box (approximately 1400 unsleeved cards), or, in the case of Magic and Lorcana, 10 cents in store credit per bulk rare card.
Do I need to set up an appointment to sell my items?
For most items, if you have 5 or fewer to sell, please call ahead to see if there is an employee available who can look at them while you wait.
If you wish to trade in bulk Magic, Pokémon, or Lorcana, please call ahead to see if we are currently accepting bulk. If we are, you can stop in any time and an employee will assist you on the spot. Please make sure all your cards are unsleeved and do not include basic lands (MTG) or basic energy or code cards (Pokémon).
If your collection is more than a handful of items other than bulk cards, please call ahead to see if we are currently accepting collections of that type. If we are, you can stop in any time to drop off your collection, and an employee will assist you in filling out a contract. The contract does not obligate you to sell to us; rather, it helps us keep track of collections as we process them. We will go over the details of the contract with you when you stop in. You must be at least 18 and have a valid ID in order to sign the contract.
We will look at your items as we have time, and call you when your offer is ready. Collections can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on the size of the collection, the number of collections ahead of yours in line, and how busy the store is.
(During the month of November 2025, Mayhem DSM are only accepting SMALL comic collections - the size of a short box or less - until we have processed the larger collections currently in the store.)
If I tell you what I have, can you tell me what you’d offer for it over the phone?
No, we cannot make any offers sight unseen. We only make an offer after we have assessed the condition and value of your item(s) in person.
I’m not interested in selling. Can you just tell me how much my item is worth?
No, we do not do free appraisals. If you would like to research the value of your items yourself, here are some good resources:
TCG Player
Comics Price Guide
Pop Price Guide
How can I sell my used board games?
Through our Board Game Consignment program! Stop in any time and an employee will assist you.
You may have up to 3 games on the consignment shelf at a time. (You may choose to “bundle” a base game + expansion(s) as one item.) For each game, you fill out a contract with your contact info, the name and condition of the game, and the price you wish to sell it for. You must be at least 18 and have a valid ID in order to sign the contract.
If your game sells, you will receive the full sale price in store credit on a store credit card. You will be notified when your store credit is ready to be picked up. If your game does not sell within a few months, we will contact you and ask you to pick it up again. We post our consignment shelf weekly on Facebook - here’s an example!
I am a local creator, will you carry my work?
We love working with local creators! If you are a comic creator, ask to speak to Katie at our Des Moines location. If you are a board game or gaming accessory creator, ask to speak to Dave at our Des Moines location. We do not currently carry other types of locally made items; however, we hold several events every year where you may be able to showcase your work. Ask to speak to Katie about Mayhempalooza, or Dave about Mayhem Market Day.
SELLING
Do you carry video games?
No, we only carry tabletop games. We do not carry electronic games of any kind.
Do you carry sports cards?
No, we do not carry sports cards.
Do you carry graded cards?
No, we do not buy or sell graded cards. But keep an eye out for our recent acquisitions in Mayhem Magic Crew, Mayhem Pokémon Crew, and Mayhem Lorcana Crew!
Do you carry graded comics?
No, we do not buy or sell graded comics. But keep an eye out for our recent acquisitions on Back Issue Thursdays in Mayhem Comic Crew!
Will you grade my trading card and/or comic?
No, we do not offer grading services.
Do you take pre-orders or hold requests?
Yes, please see Pre-Orders and Hold Tags for details!
Do you sell gift cards?
Yes, you can purchase gift cards of any dollar amount in person at either of our locations or through our online gift card order form.
Do you have a rewards program?
We have the following offers year-round:
- Buy 10 Funko Pops at or above $12.99, get the 11th one at or below $12.99 free (ask for a Pop! card at the register if we forget to ask you!)
- Buy 3 trades/manga/novels at regular price, get the 4th free (ask at the register if you’re not sure whether your books qualify!)
- 20% off some RPG core rulebooks
- 15% off new comics ordered through your Comic Pull File
- 10% off select items pre-ordered before our pre-order cutoff date
Do you offer a military discount?
Yes, we offer a 10% discount on regular-price items with a valid military or veteran ID.
Do you have empty cardboard boxes?
Yes, and you are welcome to them! If you call ahead we will save them for you instead of putting them in the recycling bin.
GAME ROOM
How big is your game room? Will there be space for me in the game room?
The Des Moines game room is currently configured to seat up to 90 people, and can seat up to 144 for card tournaments. The Ames game room seats about 80 people. Most of the time (especially during the day on weekdays), you should have no trouble finding space to come and play! However, during some regularly scheduled events and tournaments on evenings and weekends, we may be at capacity. In such cases, priority is given to customers who have paid to be there (e.g. for a tournament); beyond that, space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call ahead if you are concerned about available space.
Do I have to pay to use the game room?
Our game room space is free for anyone to use, as are our shelves of demo games and miniature terrain!
Can I reserve the game room for a private event?
No, we do not offer reservations for the game rooms. If you are planning a gathering, please call ahead to see if there are any other events scheduled in the game room that day.
When is the game room open?
The game rooms are open during normal store hours, and often later into the night, depending on attendance and employee availability.
Can I bring outside food and drinks into the game room?
Yes, you are welcome to bring non-alcoholic beverages and food into the game room. Please be respectful of other customers and clean up after yourself!
HIRING
Are you hiring?
Keep an eye on our Facebook page; we’ll post when there are job openings at either location.
How can I apply to work at Mayhem?
You can drop off your resumé and cover letter at either location regardless of whether we are currently hiring. We do not accept digital applications at this time.