Why do sellers still charge so much for certain cds and cd box sets?

I'm all for appreciating the quality of a cd over streaming and downloads and I understand there is still a cd buyer market for those who never took to other technology or likes to still collect cds
But some of these prices for these box sets or supposedly rare individual cds in 2021 is crazy.
I often go back to see if on these various sites they've actually baited anyone into purchasing the item at that price and they haven't. Maybe they are just hoping to get lucky and someone is stupid enough to take it.
But I'm of the opinion that no cd box set in today's age should be only 50 dollars less than it was in the pre download and streaming era. Especially ones that are used. And I don't care if a cd is out of print, no one needs to sell a single cd for 100 dollars or even 50 dollars.

 

The sad fact is that some people are willing to pay that much. Supply and demand, as they say. Last month alone, two copies of the 19-CD Sandy Denny box sold for over $600 US. Why offer it for less when some 1%er will snap it up? There are individual CDs on my wantlist that have gone for as much as $150.

 

That’s how capitalism works. If someone is willing to sell a CD for $100, and someone is willing to buy that CD for $100, then that CD is worth $100 to those two individuals.

 

Sometimes it can work to your advantage.

Last month I snagged a copy of Miles Davis’s Cellar Door sessions for $60. Seller had no clue the set often goes for $300 or more.

 

Obviously but it seems as if they really don't want to sell it, rather they just want to see if they can sucker someone.

 

Yeah that's a great deal for sure but unless those sessions aren't available via streaming or downloads, the set should never be 300 anymore. I can agree a good box set where you get the feeling of owning it physically and it has great presentation can be about $100.00 but no more. And really box sets are a little different than just a single cd.

 

How are they suckering someone if that person is willing to spend the money?

 

Of course, there are cases where CDs are listed for absolutely preposterous sums no one would ever pay. For some reason, out-of-print titles are always put up at insane markups on Amazon Canada, even if they aren't very rare and can be found much cheaper elsewhere. For instance, this Australian garage rock comp goes for fairly reasonable amounts on Discogs:

Ugly Things - The CD (1992, CD)

Amazon.ca, on the other hand...

https://www.amazon.ca/Ugly-Things-Various-Artists/dp/B0000075RF

 

Don't go talking logic now, buster!

 

Don't pay it. I have paid too much in frustration some times in the past and always regretted it. There's still a CD in a series I want but will probably never get that particular one I'm missing.

Or an alternative explanation could be that it's a front for money laundering you are seeing.

 

And if I could add in a corollary question, when certain CDs and CD box sets escalate hugely in price, why don't the bands or labels release a new batch themselves? Bands/labels don't make money off used CD sales in any way, do they? I guess if a label held CDs until the open market drove the price up, they'd make bank. But as far as I know, labels sell out CDs so all future sales at the higher price don't benefit them at all. What am I missing?

I understand the collector's end of the market, when special packages are released in limited quantities, that it is cool for a band/label to not reissue additional copies. I'm fine with that. But why not shift and release the material on CD in a different way? And why hasn't "produce on demand" become a bigger thing for bands? Here's an example... Around 2-2.5 years ago I discovered a band called Work Drugs through some random Youtube video by some other band. I really like Work Drugs, great sound! They've released about 8-10 albums, but only a couple have been released on CD, and I think they only had 1 in their online store when I wanted to buy a few months ago. I picked it up, and sent them an email asking why their CDs were so hard to find. They responded, said they usually didn't release their material on CD, vinyl only. I understand the current growing popularity of vinyl. But why not keep a few copies of your albums available on CD. Or figure out a way to produce your own CDs of top quality to sell to your fans?

 

Those type of prices may cause someone to believe that's what it should cost or that's it's so very unique etc.
When in reality the could look for it in used cd shops or have a friend burn them a cd if it's available on Amazon or iTunes

 

It's all true.

It's the market price. It's shocking amount/s for the physical material.
I can't believe my eyes either when I look up something casually or when I want to replace something simple. Same goes for vinyl.

 

It's always a laugh to see a few dozen of something massively overpriced and many stating 'rare' in the title! Right now the one CD I want there are dozens listed, but all $50-150 because it's supposedly so 'rare'. But if that's what each seller needs to part with theirs I can't argue with that.

 

I often wonder this too. If 5000 copies of something are pressed and it immediately sells out and copies begin trading hands for five times the original market value, it seems safe to assume the label could easily sell at least another 5000. I've been told by a member who works in the industry that it's not often the case, but I have trouble believing it. Another factor is that countless parties have to sign off to approve a second run, and it can be hard to get all the necessary signatures again.

 

Why do sellers still charge so much for certain cds and cd box sets?

because it just take one buyer to make it worthwhile

 

I fail to see how the advent of streaming should be expected to lower the value of CDs or CD sets that are desirable either for collectors or for serious music listeners.

 

I once sent a message to a seller out of annoyance saying Bro there's no way you're going to sell this at this price, especially with so many other sellers offering the same thing and in better condition. Do these guys even check the going rate or check back up on it from time to time?

 

I don't mean to say it should make the cds or box sets dirt cheap but the cd player itself his becoming more scarce, at least to some extent.

 

& over a quarter century of web activity hasn't

 

You know, this is an excellent theory. It's a better explanation for those CDs listed for thousands of dollars like the one I posted.

 

So you don't think CDs can become collectable? Fewer cd sales mean more limited manufacturing runs so some of the more recent discs might end up being sought after. And the price will reflect this. That's how collecting works.

Not every expensive item is inflated. The trick is to know the difference between an asking and an actual going price. And in that aspect modern CDs are just like virtually anything else. The internet has given many people unrealistic ideas about the "value" of things. Then there's the plain scalper. At the end of the day: Nobody is forced to support these people, right?

 

Ha!
Hilarious!

Rarity? Doesn’t matter! All CD’s $10 or under!
You just just threw out one of the main driving forces of collecting anything from books to stamps to records to CD’s.
Rarity determines price.

Socialist collecting communities! To each according to need.
Hey, maybe not a bad idea.

 

Well, there is the booklet and the tray and sometimes other bits you're paying for. Some CD booklets are extremely thick and packed with info and images. Decide your price and wait until you find one that matches it. It's not good to be in a rush.

 

If it's the cd, as in the format then yes, but I'm speaking about the music.