Swapping Old Discs For Credit...

[Noj]

I traded in a bunch of cds that I didn't care about today, about 15 cds--mostly "best ofs." Dude behind the counter does the numbers and tells me "$72 credit." I couldn't believe it. I went looney in the vinyl reissue section and picked up $70 worth.

There was still $2 credit, and they gave it to me in cash. So they basically took a stack of crappy cds from me and then paid me $2 to take a bunch of crisp, sealed records off their hands. Then to top it off the dude handed me back my 2cd Rahsaan Roland Kirk Atlantic best of set and says it is too damaged, and was not included in the credit.

Aron's Records in Hollywood. Great place.

So what luck has everyone else had trading in the stuff you don't want? Tell your stories here.

[Rooster_Ties]

About 15 years ago, I took a bunch of top-40 promo singles (many without artwork, some even without jewelboxes even), and managed to get rid of them at a pawn shop that didn't know up from down.

What I offered them probably wasn't even worth $10 (total!!!), but they gave me $3 cash for every one of the CD's I gave 'em (promo singles included, which most of these were), and I walked out of there about $400 richer.

Place sold guns mostly, and they were tryin' to diversify their inventory. Both guys were some serious "bubbas", and didn't even hardly know what a CD was.

The discs were all crap I got from the top-40 radio station I worked at part-time in college. None of the record stores around town would even touch the stuff, so I thought maybe a pawn shop would give me $20 for the whole thing.

But NEVER in my wildest dreams did I expect to make $400 on that stuff.

Wow, them were the days!!!

Edited April 25, 2004 by Rooster_Ties

[robviti]

I traded in a bunch of cds that I didn't care about today, about 15 cds--mostly "best ofs."  Dude behind the counter does the numbers and tells me "$72 credit."  I couldn't believe it.

What's so hard to believe? Sure, you got a good price for your cds, but were they really crap? If not, then chances are someone else will buy them for $7-10. That's how the used cd/record system works. You sell something you don't value and I buy it because I do. The storeowner makes a little profit, and everyone goes home happy. Now you might ask yourself, "Who in their right mind would sell the great vinyl I picked up at that store?" It doesn't matter, since you, me, and most of the other people on this board depend on that other person to sell their stuff so we can get oop titles we've been looking for. It's a great system imo, one that I've been a part of for the past 25 years.

[dave9199]

To me it's a future investment. If it turns out I don't like a particular cd(s) after the newnest has worn off, I'll trade it towards whoever I'm buying at that time. In Your Ear in Providence was very fair.

[.:.impossible]

Dave,

Chris has decided to close down In Your Ear due to increasing rents on Thayer St. They just had a 40% of EVERYTHING sale. He is going to keep Zingg open for now (in Barrington).

Sucks.

[Noj]

I traded in a bunch of cds that I didn't care about today, about 15 cds--mostly "best ofs."  Dude behind the counter does the numbers and tells me "$72 credit."  I couldn't believe it.

What's so hard to believe? Sure, you got a good price for your cds, but were they really crap? If not, then chances are someone else will buy them for $7-10. That's how the used cd/record system works. You sell something you don't value and I buy it because I do. The storeowner makes a little profit, and everyone goes home happy. Now you might ask yourself, "Who in their right mind would sell the great vinyl I picked up at that store?" It doesn't matter, since you, me, and most of the other people on this board depend on that other person to sell their stuff so we can get oop titles we've been looking for. It's a great system imo, one that I've been a part of for the past 25 years.

Among the stuff I traded in:

Grover Washington, Jr. SOULFUL STRUT--apparently Mr. Magic had run out of magic at this point

Bob James PLAYIN' HOOKY--blaaah sickly sweet. This one and the previous had been denied in many previous attempts to sell

Goodie Mob WORLD PARTY--this is one of the worst rap cds EVER

Best of Tower Of Power--terrible compilation, I've heard WAY better from this group

The Pixies--forgot to send in the card telling them NOT to send me this one

Outkast ATLIENS (censored version)--Columbia House neglected to tell me all the bad words were edited out. One of the best rap cds ever, ruined

Eddie Harris 2cd Atlantic best of/Kirk 2cd best of--I'd rather have the whole albums, and I disagree with the choice of tunes

Jimmy McGriff MCGRIFF AVENUE--sorry Jimmy, not feelin' it. Another automatic shipment I neglected to deny

Best of Billy Paul ME & MRS. JONES--I was hoping for so much more. I've heard better songs by Billy Paul than the ones included here. "When It's Your Time To Go" is better than anything on this comp.

If someone will pay $7 for any one of these, I'd be shocked. In exchange, I picked up nearly the entire JB's discography on vinyl at $9 each. I'm still giddy.

[AmirBagachelles]

I just dumped a load at Jazz Record Ctr, cleared $5.50 per CD, including $8 per for some imports. The JRC is one of the last to consistently give $4+/disc store credit for used. Most stores look at the used rack as their best margin opportunity, 200% and up is not uncommon. Groove Yard in Oakland only buys used now, they say the labels have made it impossible to make money at retail.

[robviti]

no doubt about it, you got good prices for your discs. on the other hand, a quick look at half.com reveals that the cheapest you could probably purchase used copies of some of your discs online is: pixies 9.50, t.o.p. 8.48, oukast 8.45, mcgriff 8.45, etc. also, the harris compilation is oop, and the kirk set is going for over $15. and that's not including shipping costs either. so you see, you made out well, but it might not be the gold you thought it was.

i don't mean to dampen your spirits. as i said before, i depend on people like you to sell stuff they don't want so i can get it for myself or use it for trade bait. during my recent vacation to chicago and tucson, i purchased many oop titles for good prices. for instance, i picked up an incredible stanley cowell gold disc on venus for $15 and the 2cd jimmy giuffre set on ecm for only $8! used cd/lp stores are a great scene where you can find good stuff and meet some interesting people.

[connoisseur series500]

I've never gotten much for anything I've traded in stores, but I've had some good purchases.

[John B]

Dave,

Chris has decided to close down In Your Ear due to increasing rents on Thayer St. They just had a 40% of EVERYTHING sale. He is going to keep Zingg open for now (in Barrington).

Sucks.

Man, that really does suck. I used to go to In Your Ear religiously back when I was in high school.

[undergroundagent]

I just dumped a load at Jazz Record Ctr, cleared $5.50 per CD, including $8 per for some imports.

You could've waited until I arrived later this week!