The great debate on whether physical media is dead in the music industry rages on, as Apple’s iTunes continues to put a huge dent in the physical CD and traditional music sales market.
Whether or not physical media will go the way of the hapless dinosaur remains to be seen at this point, but I for one certainly believe the days of CDs are numbered.
For example, my kids like music, yet never once have they asked for or purchased a physical CD. When my seven-year-old daughter (sadly) wants to buy the latest Justin Bieber track, she doesn’t ask me to take her to the store.
She just hands me her iPod and wants me to log on to iTunes and buy it for her. Of course, she isn’t alone. A number of the parents I know with kids who enjoy music are the same way. Frankly, it seems as if we’re looking at the last generation or two of physical media users at least, as far as music goes.
However, at least for now, CDs are still popular and widely available in big chain stores, and there’s still big business being done in used music sales. Nevertheless, Amazon is obviously fully aware that times are changing, as the online retailer has rather quietly added its own used music trade in service. Interestingly enough, although CDs are listed as items that can be traded in, the actual trade in platform on the site isn’t live just quite yet. Unfortunately, Amazon hasn’t offered an official word as to when the trade in service will officially kick off.
In addition, it remains unclear exactly how much Amazon is willing to offer for used music CDs. PC Mag expects the most a CD will bring is in the area of $2-$3 each. It would be safe to assume CDs with scratches or physical damage would be worth even less, if anything. Naturally, you will need your CD cases and inserts as well.
