Compact Disc Collection - What to do... (Richmond, Fairfax: home, buying)

[pseudo]

I've got quite a collection of CDs that sit in boxes because I've downloaded them all to my computer. Because of lack of space I'll need to dispose of them. I am quite attached to my collection so it needs to go to a good home - one that appreciates my taste such as a college radio station. I'm looking for ideas. Thanks!

[Mike From NIU]

If you have some ecletic/less well known artists in your collection, I would go with ebay. It doesn't take long to list each item or to get appropriate shipping materials. At a couple of bucks a pop, you can recoup a nice bit of money going through your collection. Of course, I'm assuming that you have at least a couple of hundred albums/singles that you're trying to sell. If it's less than 100, eh, probably not worth your time. If you want to unload the whole group as a set, I'm guessing you would need to use the local craigslist. List a few of the more notable/valuable titles at a minimum, and have a full listing available for interested parties.

[Caladium]

I'd donate them to your local library.

I'm not sure if all the library systems do this, but the Loudoun County system has amassed an awesome collection of cd's this way. It's a treasured resource. In fact, if you go to the Cascades or Ashburn libraries you'll see them displayed right at the front, and you'll always see people browsing through them. They have several thousand in the collection but I'm sure they'd love to have more as long as they're in good shape.

Plus, I think you might be able claim the value of your collection as a tax write off. (But I'm not sure. An accountant would know.)

[yamota]

good luck with that. I still have my collection of hundreds of cassette tapes stored away somewhere

[CAVA1990]

Try Amazon. Unlike E-bay there's no fee to list, just when you sell one.

[pseudo]

I've tried to sell most of them through Amazon. No one is really buying CDs these days, especially the ones I like. I like the library idea...

I just threw my tapes away one day, although I was just starting to get into music as cassette tapes were being replaced by CDs; I had quite a few. I forgot about most of them except Pearl Jam's Ten - I bought them before they were popular...(LOL - like that even matters now...)

[smithy77]

Originally Posted by pseudo

I've got quite a collection of CDs that sit in boxes because I've downloaded them all to my computer. Because of lack of space I'll need to dispose of them. I am quite attached to my collection so it needs to go to a good home - one that appreciates my taste such as a college radio station. I'm looking for ideas. Thanks!

Here's where I go:

Record & Tape Exchange
9448 Main St.
Fairfax Va.

(703) 425-4256

I've been buying and selling (mostly selling) my old CDs and Vinyl there since the 80's.

The owners and employees are all music geeks like myself, so your collection will be enjoyed by several people down the line.

If you have the patience and the time, then try e-bay.

[claremarie]

"Plus, I think you might be able claim the value of your collection as a tax write off."

That's true. If you itemize deductions, donations to a library are tax-deductible. But the amount of the deduction is limited to the fair market value of the materials, not what you initially paid for them. The library will not estimate that number for you, but ebay will. Just make sure to get a receipt when you make the donation.

[Caladium]

Another advantage to donating CDs to the library is you can still access them if you ever want to. For example, if something happens to your computer, all you have to do is go to the library and you can check them out.

[onevthoki]

Check with the local military installation or perhaps the USO. I know there was some organization in the Richmond area that was collecting them to send to the troop, but can't seem to find the link. Perhaps Belvoir can help...