Do you have a few old CD collections that are just gathering dust now? You might be thinking that with Netflix and all these video service providers, your old collections may not be worth much anymore. But that, my friends, is where you’re wrong!
We’ve scoured the internet and gone through numerous sources and reviews to compile for you a list of the best places where you can make a few quick bucks in exchange for your old CD, DVD, or video game collections.
Here you’ll learn not just about the places to sell your CDs, but also a few tips on how you can find the right value for them. Make sure to keep reading until the end so you can make the most of these old collections.
Can You Sell Used CDs for Money?
CDs were designed to last for years. Some people still keep old albums of their favorite childhood bands simply for their sentimental value. Other collectors have tons of old vinyl records and matching turntables or record players at home.
With recent innovations, however, finding the right hardware to use these on can be difficult. Most computers, for example, are no longer equipped with CD drives. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ have also limited the sales of DVD and Blu-ray movies.
The majority of your old CDs will probably be worth less than a dollar. However, there are some rare items that could fetch you a hefty price, and you might not even know it!
Keep reading to find out where you can sell your old CD collections and how you can find the right price for them. Who knows, you might actually have a treasured piece in your drawer!
Best Places to Sell Used CDs
Here is a list of some of the best places to sell used CDs. Some of these are for the more tech-savvy users, while others are catered more to the old souls who would prefer to sell with more traditional methods.
1. Ziffit
Ziffit may not be as popular as the other places on this list, but it’s one of the best CD buyback sites out there.
With an excellent online reputation, the platform allows you to trade in or sell your old CDs, DVDs, books, and games at a more than fair valuation.
All you have to do is download the free app on your mobile device, scan the barcode of the media you have, click on the “Get Value” button, and receive an instant offer.
If you think it’s a fair offer, then just continue as instructed and get paid either through PayPal, check, or direct deposit.
2. Bonavendi
Bonavendi is another price comparison website that allows you to sell your used items like old CDs, DVDs, and video games.
It’s best known for its app that has a built-in barcode scanner that lets you scan media barcodes directly from your mobile device.
The site works great as it compares price offers from other buyback sites and gets you great deals for your items.
Most CDs would sell for somewhere around $0.70 – $0.90, but there are collectibles and rare items that they would price better. If your used item is in demand, it’s possible to sell it for a higher price.
It’s a great place to quickly get rid of your unused media that’s just collecting dust and make a few quick bucks. The Bonavendi app is also available in the App Store and Play Store.
3. Decluttr
Decluttr is a great way of getting rid of those old CDs you may have lying around. The company also offers free shipping for orders that go over $5. As a bonus, the platform also lets you quickly dispose of unwanted items like old tablets, smartphones, and other gadgets.
Selling old CDs is a lot easier if you have the UPC barcode number. Prices offered for your items may vary depending on the demand for them, but the valuation is reasonable.
CDs sold on this platform are often priced at around $0.45 – $0.65. While this is lower than the average prices on the list, they do offer a “Next Day Pay” option that allows you to quickly receive your funds a day after your items get to them.
4. F.Y.E.
F.Y.E. is known for reimbursing shipping costs and for being a great platform, especially for rare or special edition used CDs. The company buys numerous types of CDs, but they pay especially well for those in-demand items.
You can ensure that your CDs are rare by typing in the UPC barcode before selling it. You have to pay for shipping up front, but the company will reimburse you once the shipment gets to them.
5. BuybackExpress
BuybackExpress is another website that focuses mainly on used electronics. One of the best things about the platform, however, is that they will also cover your PayPal fees.
The company is one of the best places to sell CDs at a good rate. Like Decluttr, however, you will also need the UPC barcode if you want to sell your CDs on this platform.
BuybackExpress makes this process more convenient by letting input as much as 15 UPC barcodes at the same time.
The platform typically values used CDs at $0.45 – $0.65 each, but they do offer free shipping and parcel tracking. Once your package has been processed, you can then claim your money either through Paypal or check.
6. Eagle Saver
Eagle Saver is another great platform for selling used CDs and getting paid quickly. They offer a higher average valuation for each CD at $0.55 – $0.75 each. They also offer free shipping for batches that are worth $20 or more.
What makes Eagle Saver great is that they pay the seller quickly. The company guarantees payment within 24 hours after receiving the parcel. This is made either through Paypal or via check.
7. Abundatrade
Abundatrade also offers free shipping for used CDs, DVDs, and video games that have an average value of $0.75 and a total value of over $15.
These stringent requirements, however, are made much more attractive by the fact that they offer higher prices for used CDs at an average of $0.65 – $0.85 each.
If you have a lot of items to sell, then this is a great platform you might want to consider. However, payment here can take longer.
If you want to receive it via PayPal, payment can take up to 72 hours. For check payments, however, payment may take as long as 3 weeks.
8. Craigslist
Craigslist, as old as the platform may be, is still one of the best places for selling all kinds of stuff. And yes, that includes all of your used media items.
Free listing is offered in most cities, and if it isn’t your first time selling on the platform, it’s easy to relist.
If you want to go the traditional route, Craigslist is a reliable platform. However, the main concern with it is that it can be prone to scammers, so just make sure to be careful before setting up meetings with potential buyers.
As much as possible, collect the payment first and if you can, have someone with you when you meet the buyer. You can set your appointments in public places as well. In some cities, there are police stations that dedicate personnel to a designated Craigslist meeting place where they can monitor transactions and ensure your safety.
9. Used Bookstores
While online solutions seem to be the growing trend for selling CDs, DVDs, and used video games, a lot of old souls still prefer the more traditional path. That is where used bookstores come in.
Used bookstores allow you to trade your unwanted items in exchange for new media or other used items that you might like better. While it’s not as easy as browsing the internet and inputting a few barcodes, the activity can be more fun and exciting.
You can call a few local used bookstores and inquire about their policies. You can also ask about how much they’ll offer for your items, as well as items they have that you might want.
10. Facebook
While Facebook is best known as a social media platform, the company has expanded to include a lot of new features that connect people and allow them to look for jobs, go on dates, and now, even sell used items.
Posting on the platform is easy and free, and allows communication between you and potential buyers to be even more convenient.
You have a ton of options when selling on Facebook. You can make a listing on the Facebook Marketplace feature for the world to see. This allows you to set your location and connects you with people looking for items similar to yours that are nearby.
It allows you to add photos, write descriptions, and even set appointments straight from the Facebook Messenger app.
Alternatively, you can also join Facebook groups that are made specifically for selling used items. There are tons of groups on Facebook for buying and selling used items.
Some are more item-specific so you can easily post in groups where people are all looking for the same things.
Others are more general and are more ideal if you want to look for items and propose trades with other sellers.
How to Sell Your CDs for the Most Money?
Before you start selling your CDs, make sure to follow the steps below so you can get the most value out of them.
Step 1: Canvass for Prices
Don’t make the mistake of getting all your CDs and dumping them in a $1 box in your next garage sale. Before anything else, make a list of your entire collection and scour the internet to check if you have hidden treasures somewhere there.
Amazon and eBay listings are some great go-to places to find the value of items that you have in your collection.
Step 2: Sell Rare Items Individually
In the world of old CDs, items that have a value of over $5 are already rare. In some rare cases, you might even find that some of your CDs are worth $20 or even $50.
If you have some of these in your collection, do not package them with others. Instead, sell them individually so you can make the most money out of them.
Step 3: Bundle Items by Artist or Genre
If most of your old CDs are common, however, it may be easier to bundle them together by artist or genre. It’s a great and convenient way for you to quickly dispose of old CDs and make a few bucks, and will also look more attractive to buyers because they get more value for their money.
It also saves you money on listing fees, while also helping buyers save money on shipping fees. Win-win, right?
If you’ve thoroughly checked the internet and have found that most of your items are relatively common, then it might be a lot more convenient to sell them this way. Create a “Michael Jackson CD collection” or a “Jazz Record Collection” for your next listing.
Step 4: Create a “You Pick” Promo
A clever way people sell CDs is to post them all at once and have people pick out items that they like. How this works is that they set a price, say $10, and have people pick 4 or 5 items from the list.
You can keep on doing it this way until your CD collection goes down to just a few titles. If you’ve already followed the first 4 steps and you still have a few titles in hand, then it’s time to go to your last resort.
Step 5: Donate
You can still donate these old CDs to other people who might enjoy them! That may not be profitable, but it will go a long way in making someone feel better. That’s a reward in and of itself, right?
Conclusion
Selling your old CD collections is a piece of cake if you know where to look. There are a lot of digital platforms and physical stores that would gladly buy these CDs, DVDs, video games, and other media items that you might have.
Before deciding where to sell, consider the pros and cons of each platform. Look for promos on free shipping, instant payouts, free listing, or opportunities for trading. Make sure to also consider the steps we listed above so you can make the most of your old treasures.
Who knows, you might find a rare gem in your drawer that you never even knew about!
Aidan has been writing about personal finance for over 6 years. Prior to this, he worked as a Corporate Finance Analyst where he specialized in Due Diligence, Company Valuations and more. He is a CFA charterholder.
