Media Seller Question

[mountainmommie]

I need some hardcore truth about ditching thousands of DVDs and CDs from our own home collections (family of nine). My initial foray into the "refurbish" area has been met with zero interest. I initially posted entire lots, then separated artwork, discs and cases. Now I can't seem to get only the cases sold. Can lots be too big? What is an attractive amount per case for a media seller? I'll run the numbers to see if I can offer that or just take my leave. 

Thanks,

Jackie

[a_c_green]

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@mountainmommie wrote:

I need some hardcore truth about ditching thousands of DVDs and CDs from our own home collections (family of nine). My initial foray into the area has been met with zero interest. I initially posted entire lots, then separated artwork, discs and cases. Now I can't seem to get only the cases sold. Can lots be too big?

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Not really understanding here why you would separate the artwork, discs and cases. People either want a particular title (which means, you know, the whole thing, the same way it's sold elsewhere) or they don't. I would say the hardcore truth is that if you cannot sell them here for a reasonable price (to include your time spent listing it and shipping it later), then I would just donate them in their original intact form.

[toysaver]

I still watch DVDs but most everything is available through streaming so their value is low.  They are not always worth the price to ship.  If you just want to 'ditch' them, you can donate to your local library but I'm sure they will want the cases too.

[mountainmommie]

I guess my initial question was not worded great. I've been selling discs for years.  I'm inquiring regarding sellers who refurbish. The work has been done. Artwork, damaged disc lots and empty cases are in some demand or they wouldn't sell. Mine are being offered at XX cents per piece and I'm asking what a competitive price is. If you don't break down media, chances are you don't know this.

But thanks.

[wastingtime101]

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@mountainmommie wrote:

I'm asking what a competitive price is. If you don't break down media, chances are you don't know this.

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Have you checked the Product Research tool, dropped in some key words, to see what the broken down media is currently selling for?

https://www.ebay.com/sh/research

P.S. devon@ebay kyle@ebay - eBay changed the name from Terapeak to Product Research, but the name Terapeak still appears pretty much everywhere including:

marketing videos like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG7WaXXG0CE

help page articles like these: https://www.ebay.com/help/sr?query=terapeak&origin=1

[kensgiftshop]

You know you can't ship those empty cases through Media Mail.

[chevymontecarlo88 · Accepted solution]

Lots can be difficult depending on Genre/Artists. Right now everyone is ditching CD/DVD media so it is an opportunity for buyers but it is tough. It is true that the cases can sell better than the content but most buyers (end users) will want the jewel with insert. I personally buy them in lots all of the time and typically pay pennies on the dollar. Shipping is not that big of a deal with lots because you can ship media mail. I dont think a lot can be too big as long as you ship them safe. Depending on if you list them with cases or not i would say 100 without cases but with inserts may be a good place to start. Maybe 500 depending on the genre mix. Most people i know are donating them to goodwills or local pawn shops because they are slow movers. I find DVD's slower than CD's especially with higher quality DVD  remaster versions on Blu-ray. There can be some gems in your inventory and if you scan the barcodes on them, you can get average pricing. (Apps that comp Amazon/Ebay title sales) Yes this takes time but you can do it watching tv and get through a couple thousand in a few days. Take the winner (s) and donate the rest.

Now take that with a grain of salt because i am a music addict and have a hard time letting anything musical get thrown away. 😁 🎼📀

[mountainmommie]

I have ... but could do more. Thank you. That's my own fault. And dealing in miscellaneous lots gets tedious. I think I'm just trying to hack an answer faster. In the weeds for pennies.

Just need to dump it all but such a stupid girl. Setting such a standard for myself so others can benefit.

Dumb woman.

[chevymontecarlo88]

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@mountainmommie wrote:

I guess my initial question was not worded great. I've been selling discs for years.  I'm inquiring regarding sellers who refurbish. The work has been done. Artwork, damaged disc lots and empty cases are in some demand or they wouldn't sell. Mine are being offered at XX cents per piece and I'm asking what a competitive price is. If you don't break down media, chances are you don't know this.

But thanks.

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Mis understood your questions. Still more work than you may want to deal with. I would find online dealers to see if they would buy bulk and ditch them. Unless you want to be buried with them of course.

-Good luck

[mountainmommie]

I can if I throw in lots of real DVDs too. Granted, they are kids' movies and not porn.

[slyders_finds]

Collectors never stopped buying physical media. As for the general public, there is a trend of physical media coming back. Its coming slowly, but it's coming. 

When you pay to download a movie for example, most times you are paying to stream it. You don't actually own it. When Sony or Disney loses licensing rights you do too. Money gone.

As others have said, parting out the cds/dvds is not the way to do it. I would sell as complete. As far as selling as lots, you are going to have to give a great deal. 3 CDs for $3-$5 plus shipping. Same with DVDs. Lots are usually bought by mom and pop stores or resellers trying to flip. They can sell in their store/flea market and don't have to worry about shipping cost. 

There are exceptions to the rule so you have to take the time to research if you have any rare movies or cds. Some obscure horror movies can bring a decent flip. I found a B Horror Movie VHS that I paid 69 cents. Sold it for $70. 

Good Luck.

[chevymontecarlo88]

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@slyders_finds wrote:

Collectors never stopped buying physical media. As for the general public, there is a trend of physical media coming back. Its coming slowly, but it's coming. 

When you pay to download a movie for example, most times you are paying to stream it. You don't actually own it. When Sony or Disney loses licensing rights you do too. Money gone.

As others have said, parting out the cds/dvds is not the way to do it. I would sell as complete. As far as selling as lots, you are going to have to give a great deal. 3 CDs for $3-$5 plus shipping. Same with DVDs. Lots are usually bought by mom and pop stores or resellers trying to flip. They can sell in their store/flea market and don't have to worry about shipping cost. 

There are exceptions to the rule so you have to take the time to research if you have any rare movies or cds. Some obscure horror movies can bring a decent flip. I found a B Horror Movie VHS that I paid 69 cents. Sold it for $70. 

Good Luck.

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Agreed. You always have some cool music stuff listed.

[mountainmommie]

You've been extremely helpful. In reminding me to keep the bartending gig and ditch the dvds/cds.

[adamcartwright]

I sell them at a yard sale for a couple bucks apiece.

[onefootflippers]

I sold all my DVDs in bulk to a single buyer at 25 cents each and I was thrilled to be able to get rid of them. 

Physical media is not "coming back" every single sales number out there shows that sales and average prices continue to fall each year. Sure, a few vocal people are getting really into collecting because the stuff is basically free now. But people eventually tire of collections that have zero value and to add an extra kick in the pants it turns out that DVDs actually do suffer from bit rot just like old laserdiscs do, they just tend to take a lot longer to start doing it. I got rid of almost my entire personal DVD and VHS collection because I realized that I was going months without even putting a single one in as the streaming options were always better.