How to Get the Best Price on Music CDs

CDs that sell at retail stores can often be found for up to 40 percent less on the Internet. Sometimes you can get even better prices, but you may or may not find the "catch" (there usually is one) to be acceptable.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• CD Players
• Compact Discs

Individual CDs

1. Use Internet search engines called shopping bots, which find the lowest prices on specific products. You can find these by typing 'shopping bots' in one or more Internet search engines.

2. Avoid CD merchants in shopping malls, as these have higher prices.

3. Find CDs at consumer electronics stores for 15 percent to 25 percent less than at CD specialty stores.

4. Check general-merchandise discount stores for popular titles.

5. Ask if a store offers frequent-buyer cards (for example, buy 10, get 1 free).

6. Check CD specialty stores for unadvertised sales, usually covering all titles on specific labels.

7. Consider used CDs. Ask the store if you can listen before you buy.

CD Clubs

8. Consider a record label's club only if you plan to limit your buying to popular titles from major artists.

9. Expect to pay up to $4 per CD for shipping and handling, including 'free' selections.

10. Be prepared to make your selections and rejections (some clubs auto-matically send you a CD every month unless you instruct them not to) within the required periods.

11. Check the CD club's FAQ Web page for suggestions about getting the best value from CD club membership.

12. If a club offers wholesale prices, and you will buy enough CDs to justify the dues, membership may be a good deal.

Tips & Warnings

• A club is a good value if you can find enough "free" selections that you would buy anyway.
• Major-label clubs often do not carry CDs made by one or more of their leading competitors.

on 11/22/2005 I buy most of my CDs used. Seriously, it's great to buy them online, but after you tack on shipping costs, the deals are pretty crummy. See if there's a CD warehouse or CD exchange where you are. Most have a good selection of new/used CDs. And you have to admit, people who work in stores like that are passionate about music. If you're just in the mood for something random, they'll be able to help you out. That's how I've gotten some of my favorite albums.

on 11/22/2005 I buy most of my CDs from BMG and Columbia House CD clubs. They both have really great deals on CDs. I just got a deal for all the CDs I want for 60%off. these clubs sometimes dont have all the CDs i am looking for so I buy other CDs at MediaPlay. they have a frequent buyers club and i get points that add up to credit at the store.