Pioche & Rejoue is a store offering second-hand board games, toys, and children's books located in the Rennes region. We invite you to discover this ecological and economical initiative through an interview with its two founders, Océane and Hugo.
Hello, what exactly is Pioche & Rejoue?
Pioche & Rejoue: It's a second-hand store for games, toys, and children's books. We directly purchase items, inspect them, clean them, and, when possible, refurbish them before reselling. We also offer several rental services, ranging from a classic game library to outdoor games, and even pre-built toy boxes tailored to a child's age. This can take the form of a one-off rental, a monthly subscription, or even a rental with an option to buy! We aim to provide choice, advice, and a customer experience within the store that differs from other second-hand options already available (Cash Converters, Emmaüs, garage sales, Vinted...). With us, you can buy with your eyes closed and give a gift without fearing the disappointment of an incomplete product.
Who is behind the project?
Pioche & Rejoue: Océane and Hugo, both in their early thirties. We've been a couple for 10 years and are parents to two children, aged 5 and 3. Hugo initially has a background in sports event management, having worked extensively on organizing triathlons, etc. In parallel, he gained sales experience at Decathlon, then Cultura, before transitioning to the gaming world by joining Créanim', a playful event company that organizes giant Sherlock games in the city. Océane has been a physiotherapist for 10 years, but her true passion is animation, children, and games, which she experienced for years before obtaining her physiotherapy degree.
How did the adventure begin?
Pioche & Rejoue: When we arrived in Rennes, as a dynamic couple with no children, we quickly found ourselves at L'Heure du jeu, a game bar in Rennes. We were there several times a week, and we started buying the games we tried, many, many, many of them (everyone here knows that feeling, let's be honest). It quickly became a real passion that we both share. We're also big fans of flea markets, having visited them with our respective parents since we were very young. We kept this habit and quickly learned to spot good deals. First, for our wallets, but also for the ecological impact of consuming second-hand items. Then, after buying so much for ourselves, we started buying to resell, to make ends meet. We saw that there was demand; people were always delighted to find the game they had been looking for, and items didn't stay online for very long. We did that for a few years. In parallel, we felt the desire to start a business together, without ever quite daring to do it. And then, Hugo was having more and more trouble investing himself in his work; he needed to undertake something, to start something new. So, we said "Go, let's do it, let's ask for a consensual termination of his contract." Since then, he's been 100% on the project, and Océane is behind the scenes, providing feedback, managing communication, social networks, and purchases. She will leave her job as soon as the store's income allows!
Can you explain your name to us?
Pioche & Rejoue: At first, before thinking seriously about it, we had gone with very "hairdresser pun" names; the first Excel file was called Je'ux récup'. Then, we realized no, it was about second-hand, for sure, but we wanted a more unifying name that could attract environmentally conscious people, but also those who are a little less so, and who wouldn't feel like they were entering a recycling center. We thought about it for a long time, like searching for a child's name, and then we said yes, "Pioche & Rejoue" is obvious, clear, and logical. It's easy to remember and refers to the board games we love.
Why are you interested in second-hand games?
Pioche & Rejoue: For several reasons, which you can probably imagine. First, for the good deal, that feeling of having found a "gem" for cheap. Being able to try hundreds of games that we never would have bought and stumbling upon really cool stuff! It's super stimulating, and you quickly get hooked on that feeling of having made a good find. When you have a "compulsive shopper" side, it channels that and costs much less! The second thing, of course, is the ecological impact it represents. We have less trouble consuming a product that has already been "produced" and used. This is even truer when you have had children; the average lifespan of a toy is eight months. For babies, it's even less; as soon as they grow and move on to the next motor stage (and believe us, it comes quickly), the game becomes obsolete. All children's toys and most clothes have been bought second-hand. We also used cloth diapers, always with the aim of avoiding polluting overconsumption.
How do you differ from a consignment store?
Pioche & Rejoue: We operate on a buy-and-resell model. We take the risk, in a way, of holding onto the item if it doesn't find a buyer. The customer, on the other hand, leaves with the money, whether the game is sold later or not! The buy-back price is determined by us, based on the condition and the "risk" we take: Is the product very common on the second-hand market? Will it sell quickly? Do we already have it in large quantities? Etc. It will necessarily be below the second-hand market price, but the customer leaves empty-handed and with a fuller wallet than when they arrived!
The advantage for the buyer is that the products have been checked and any missing or damaged parts are mentioned. So, no unpleasant surprises.
Tell us about your sales process. How do you find games, and what do you do before putting them on the shelves?
Pioche & Rejoue: For now, our method of sourcing second-hand games is mixed. We buy directly from individuals who contact us after an initial price estimate based on photos, then we arrange a meeting and purchase. In addition, we continue to go to flea markets on Sunday mornings and also buy a bit online on platforms when we find interesting bulk lots. For people who contact us and are not near Rennes, similarly, after a photo estimate, we arrange a shipment via a second-hand platform to benefit from site protection in case of an incomplete or very damaged lot. Ultimately, we would like direct purchases to be sufficient to stock our shelves.
We collect incomplete or very damaged games for free to complete other incomplete games.
Then, we check the material, recount all the pieces, repair what can be repaired, clean what can be cleaned, reference it in our file, and the product can join the shelves!
How many games do you have to date? And do you have goals to expand your catalog?
Pioche & Rejoue: Today, we have a total of 2500 board games (500 of which will be reserved for exclusive rental), 1500 toys/creative arts/puzzles, and 1100 books. All stored in a small box, our attic, our stairwell, around the sofa…! But we are getting the keys to the premises this week, and we will be able to start reorganizing all of this more easily! We obviously want to have as much choice as possible in the store, to represent the widest possible gaming horizon, starting from Scrabble and Uno, moving through Skyjo, and going all the way to Gloomhaven! Everyone should be able to find a game for their Kallax.
We also have a partnership with the local game stores, Sortilèges and Terre de jeux, from whom we purchase new releases to integrate into our game library area. If customers then wish to acquire the game, they can visit these stores with proof of rental, which will entitle them to a discount on the purchase of the same game.
When do you plan to open your store?
Pioche & Rejoue: We've set the inauguration for November 16th, so ideally, we need to open that week! We're still on schedule, so we're giving it our all to meet this deadline!
What is your sales radius? (Current and future)
Pioche & Rejoue: For now, we primarily sell directly, at upcoming Christmas markets, in the store, or at game festivals where we are present. But we also offer online sales through the Philibert marketplace. We are gradually expanding the catalog, as it's currently difficult to be on all fronts, with the priority being the opening of the physical store. However, very soon, we will be able to increase our online offering.
Do you have any other ideas you'd like to implement once your store is operational?
Pioche & Rejoue: We have plenty of ideas, but for now, we're short on money, hands, and time! But we would like to offer a "spare parts" corner, possibly linking up with publishers/after-sales services, and "consumable refills" like modeling clay, aquarellum paint, and magic sand, so that games and toys that require them can be reused.
We also want to work with schools, leisure centers, MJCs, and early childhood staff, to offer either sales or rental boxes so that they can experience all the educational benefits of games!We also plan to host activities in the store (children's workshops) and promote games by intervening in schools, etc.
More than just a store, we really want to be significant players in the gaming world and the second-hand market.
Do you have an anecdote or a memorable moment to share related to this wonderful adventure?
Pioche & Rejoue: Hugo bought the stock from a game bar in Cholet that, unfortunately, had to close down. He set off calmly, with our Opel Crossland X, and a few boxes. When he arrived, the people there were quite taken aback, telling him it was impossible to fit everything into the car. Perhaps Hugo had indeed underestimated the quantity of products to bring back a little. He exploited every corner of the car and managed to drive 2.5 hours with 421 products (which tended to fall on him, a bit). He still had to abandon his boxes on site… We are now thinking of investing in a small van in the future to avoid this kind of inconvenience.
Oh! And we caused a power outage in the arcade's "safari" zone of the shopping center where we set up for a week, trying to restore electricity to our unit. Oops…
