Advancements in technology have meant that listening to, buying and keeping music is easier than ever. You can literally store or carry thousands of songs on devices that weigh less than a pound, without dragging around a ton of CDs, cassette tapes or albums.
The good news is that you don’t have to toss your old music collection in the garbage right away. You have more than one option for its reuse or recycling. The best choice for you will depend on your personal circumstances, including what type of formats you have in your collection and where you live.
Transfer
The first thing you should consider doing is transferring all the songs from your old collection onto the medium you’re current using, such as the MP3 format. You can convert CDs on to a personal computer. Simply use the computer’s media software to “rip” the tracks from the CD onto your computer.
Electronic specialty stores can transfer music from more outdated media for you, such as cassettes. Before you go down this route, however, check the prices on the tracks you would want from the outdated stuff you have. In many cases, it’s cheaper and easier to buy the songs you want as digital tracks instead.
Look for Collectors
You may be able to sell old albums and even cassettes in decent condition to collectors and local music shops. Look for a place that specializes in the media format you have. For example, you’re likely to have more luck selling your album collection to a store that advertises its stock in that format.
If you have rare tracks on older media, look for fans of that particular artist or style of music. A fan will be willing to pay just to get a copy of the recording in any form if it’s rare enough, regardless of the format. Fan websites and social media forums are a good place to find buyers for rare or out-of-print selections, but make sure the website is reputable before you engage a buyer.
Sell What’s Left
Once you’ve transferred and sold what you can, dump the rest of the collection at stores that allow you to sell CDs for cashto them. Popular selections won’t get you much because multiple copies exist, but you might be able to sell off the rest of the collection quickly and in full. You can also try selling bundles online at an auction-style website, but you will have to deal with shipping and handling of the items.
Donate
If you have any pieces of your collection left that you can’t move, donate it to your local non-profit rummage sale, flea market or other charity event. Your donation may be tax-deductible and your old collection may get a new owner instead of taking up space in a landfill.
Anna is an experienced bargain and thrift sales writer. She’s been writing for printed media and various websites for more than 10 years. Anna stays up to date on current trends, such as how to sell CDs for cash, so she knows the market inside-out.