How to divest myself of unwanted movies?
December 15, 2024 4:35 PM Subscribe
We moved in a hurry, and afterwards I swore I would do some much needed winnowing of media: books, music, movies. However, my old go to (Half Price Books) isn't near me anymore. I don't have to get money for them, but it might be nice? Help?
Check online for record and CD shows by you. I have a friend who's been bringing some steady money by selling off his old stuff. To be honest, his collection was huge and he inherited a lot of dupes from his brother. Still, the table rent is low enough that he'd done well at it.
posted by stray thoughts at 4:55 PM on December 15, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by stray thoughts at 4:55 PM on December 15, 2024 [1 favorite]
It depends on the format and genre whether there is any money in them.
VHS are suddenly worth a little again. DVDs--unless they're rare or out of print stuff that collectors want and you sell them individually on eBay--are basically plastic coasters. No one will give you anything beyond spare change for them. Blu Rays are worth variable amounts depending on genre.
In general, horror and genre stuff is easiest to sell/get a bit for in bulk. After that, it's sort of a question of juxtaposing how popular/common an edition fo a movie is with how easy a used copy is to find.
A Hunger Games Blu Ray, for instance, isn't worth a thing, as there were thousands on thousands of copies sold of fairly ordinary editions which are now available used in large quantities everywhere.
As for where, that's a hyperlocal question. Pawn shops will often buy discs in bulk, but they don't pay much. Your local used bookstores or record stores may buy them, too. You won't get much in cash at those, but you might be able to get store credit for something you'd rather have.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 4:55 PM on December 15, 2024
VHS are suddenly worth a little again. DVDs--unless they're rare or out of print stuff that collectors want and you sell them individually on eBay--are basically plastic coasters. No one will give you anything beyond spare change for them. Blu Rays are worth variable amounts depending on genre.
In general, horror and genre stuff is easiest to sell/get a bit for in bulk. After that, it's sort of a question of juxtaposing how popular/common an edition fo a movie is with how easy a used copy is to find.
A Hunger Games Blu Ray, for instance, isn't worth a thing, as there were thousands on thousands of copies sold of fairly ordinary editions which are now available used in large quantities everywhere.
As for where, that's a hyperlocal question. Pawn shops will often buy discs in bulk, but they don't pay much. Your local used bookstores or record stores may buy them, too. You won't get much in cash at those, but you might be able to get store credit for something you'd rather have.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 4:55 PM on December 15, 2024
Best answer: Do you have any independent record/media stores near you? They might take some (store credit is a better deal but they may not take the most common things).
If you want to just get rid of them, your local library system might have a friends of the library shop.
Otherwise there are probably charity shops for a cause you support near you that will take them.
posted by edencosmic at 5:26 PM on December 15, 2024 [1 favorite]
If you want to just get rid of them, your local library system might have a friends of the library shop.
Otherwise there are probably charity shops for a cause you support near you that will take them.
posted by edencosmic at 5:26 PM on December 15, 2024 [1 favorite]
Donate to nursing/retirement homes.
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 6:12 PM on December 15, 2024 [4 favorites]
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 6:12 PM on December 15, 2024 [4 favorites]
Thriftbooks.com recently started a Buyback program for books and movies. I've not yet tried it, but I have a box of books (most which I bought originally through the same site) set aside with a plan to try it. Previously I waited until I was near McKay's in Nashville, TN visiting people -- they also buyback books and movies among other things. And I think they have a few other locations in the U.S.
The advantage of the Thriftbooks one is that it uses the mail. So, maybe worth a try with a random sample to see how it goes? If you do try it, I'd appreciate hearing how it goes!
posted by AbelMelveny at 5:39 AM on December 16, 2024 [2 favorites]
The advantage of the Thriftbooks one is that it uses the mail. So, maybe worth a try with a random sample to see how it goes? If you do try it, I'd appreciate hearing how it goes!
posted by AbelMelveny at 5:39 AM on December 16, 2024 [2 favorites]
The Media Library of Vake has some LaserDiscs and Hi8 tapes. Are you near Tsibli and are you selling LaserDiscs?
posted by at at 5:52 AM on December 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by at at 5:52 AM on December 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If there's a Buy Nothing group in your area you could put some things up there. After Netflix cancelled its DVD program I got a lot of DVDs for my blog from other Buy Nothing people in my neighborhood.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:29 AM on December 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:29 AM on December 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
Your local public library might take them; check their website for donation policies.
posted by maryellenreads at 8:42 AM on December 16, 2024
posted by maryellenreads at 8:42 AM on December 16, 2024
Some library systems have a Friends of the Library nonprofit organization attached that run book and other media sales regularly. Proceeds go to library programs and other library focused endeavors. Ours accepts donations at the branches and the Friends take over from there.
posted by waving at 10:27 AM on December 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by waving at 10:27 AM on December 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
I took my CD's and books to an independent book resale shop. I got a few credits to spend and that took care of most of my items. The DVD and Blu-Ray items went to Goodwill. Also got rid of my disc players, so as not to have a reason for holding on to items.
Held on to the CD's and DVD's I perceived as having value due to uniqueness. Those are currently being sold on eBay. Seconding the Buy Nothing and FreeCycle groups; I gave away a lot of non-media items through this mechanism.
As a hoarder, I'm making an effort to stay on the side of streaming where possible. My mind is telling me how wasteful this exercise has been, but I just don't have the space in my apartment or my mind for holding on to this stuff. I wish you well as you cut back.
posted by bacalao_y_betun at 12:43 PM on December 16, 2024
Held on to the CD's and DVD's I perceived as having value due to uniqueness. Those are currently being sold on eBay. Seconding the Buy Nothing and FreeCycle groups; I gave away a lot of non-media items through this mechanism.
As a hoarder, I'm making an effort to stay on the side of streaming where possible. My mind is telling me how wasteful this exercise has been, but I just don't have the space in my apartment or my mind for holding on to this stuff. I wish you well as you cut back.
posted by bacalao_y_betun at 12:43 PM on December 16, 2024
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posted by a humble nudibranch at 4:48 PM on December 15, 2024 [2 favorites]