Nostalgia for retro technology and a growing interest in lossless audio have caused a resurgence in the popularity of CDs, and finding CDs is the logical first step to enjoying them. Older people likely have old collections from when CDs were the go-to audio medium, but whether you’re younger, sold your collection years ago, or just want to add to your collection, there are plenty of ways to acquire CDs. But many people are on a budget, and the audio hobby can get expensive quickly.
Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to get CDs at low prices if you know where to look. If you’re looking for ideas on how to build your CD collection in a budget-friendly way, here are some options for you.
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Visit thrift stores
The best place to buy anything cheap
Joss Broward/Unsplash
One of the best places to find CDs is your local thrift store – people are always rummaging through their attics and storage units, deciding that times have changed and they no longer need CDs, so they donate it all.
Often the CDs you find at thrift stores aren’t very appealing because many people just keep the really good ones or they sell as soon as they come in. A lot of the stock is holiday albums or small, niche artists you’ve never heard of, but they can be great if you give them a try. With timing, luck, and a keen eye, you can find a gem of a CD or a new favorite artist.
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Go to a record store
They usually have a pretty good selection
Mick Haupt / Unsplash
That’s right, record stores sell a lot more than just vinyl records. Who would have thought? New releases and a variety of used vinyl records are often displayed at the front of the store, but you’ll also find a section for used CDs. These are often pretty cheap, and have the added bonus of being organised by genre and artist.
Even better, some record stores have a special section for CDs, so if you’re looking for something really budget-friendly, find that section in the store and see what they have. If allowed, you can even listen to the CDs in the store before you buy them to make sure you really like them.
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I have so many lists I don’t know what to do
If you’re looking to find a specific CD online, eBay is a great place to do so. eBay has millions of CDs for sale in a variety of conditions and levels of wear. The great thing about CDs is that, unlike vinyl records, they can withstand a lot of use and some damage without becoming unusable. So, most CDs you find on eBay have the potential to get plenty of use out of them, regardless of their condition.
While mint condition CDs are a bit pricey, you can easily find great CDs on eBay that have been well-loved but still work like new for under $10, and sometimes even under $5.
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Check out Discogs
More than just cataloging
Another great online site to find CDs is Discogs. It’s primarily used for finding records and tracking collections, but there are plenty of people selling and listing CDs of various qualities. Like eBay, new and unopened CDs are pricey, but you can find plenty of great CDs for under $10.
On Discogs, shipping costs are often the biggest factor in determining price, but you can also find out if a CD is sold at a specific store, and if there’s a store near you, you can save a little on shipping costs and go directly to the store to buy the used CD.
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Look for a garage sale near you
This is often the cheapest method
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Almost every garage sale I go to has CDs for pretty cheap, some for as little as a dollar. You’re more likely to find great CDs at a garage sale for extremely low prices because people trying to declutter aren’t very interested in making a profit on what they’re selling in their front yard.
You’re more likely to find them in the spring and summer.
The trick to finding them is to actually find them – keep an eye out for yard sale signs in your neighborhood or just keep an eye around your neighborhood for anything unexpected happening – and they’re easier to find in the spring and summer.
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