What’s A Song Worth?
I’m very fortunate enough to own a few CDs that are actually quite rare, hold a very special meaning and ultimately, are generally considered to be worth a substantial amount of money considering what they actually are.
Radiohead’s first commitment after signing to Parlaphone was an EP called Drill. The EP features just four songs – Prove Yourself, Stupid Car, You and Thinking About You – and was recorded between 1991 and 1992.
The EP was released in May 1992 and a play of one of the tracks on national radio gave the band their first exposure outside of the local gig circuit. Drill was limited to 3,000 copies at the time, although it has since been re-released with altered artwork to differentiate between the two versions.
Similarly, the first recordings of Muse back in 1997 were committed to CD and released in limited numbers. Muse EP only saw 999 copies sold, of which I own #251. Again, just four songs adorn the CD and my copy has the added bonus of having been signed by all three band members.
The follow-up Muscle Museum EP hit the shelves a year later in 1998, recorded at the same Cornish studios as the first, although this time the EP consists of six tracks. Limited to 999 it was this release that saw the band gain momentum and eventually sign a record deal that ultimately led to the Showbiz album and beyond.
For a fans of Radiohead and Muse, these EPs are very special and pretty much priceless…
Or are they?
So aside from owning some interesting music, I have over the years amassed an embarrassing amount of DVDs. These little plastic boxes haven’t seen the light of day in years and last week, while chilling out and allowing my mind to wander, I suddenly realised I should probably get rid of them.
Not wanting to simply take them to the dump, I remembered those cheesy adverts from a few years back getting people to sell their old junk like CDs and DVDs for “lots and lots” of money.
Well, of course I’m not expecting anything for my ancient copy of The Matrix, or Withnail & I. But if I was able to get a few pence for each and move the whole heaping lot out of my cupboards, then so be it. Oddly enough and as a premature aside, The Endless Summer proved to be one of the most valuable. Go figure!?
Nowadays though there are plenty of these companies to choose between, it isn’t just the original one or two. So, having a bit of time on my hands and as always, wanting to bring a little science into it, I did a test. But what to test…
| musicMagpie | Ziffit | Momox | Zapper | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radiohead – Drill | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Muse – Muse EP | £0.09 | £0.55 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Muse – Muscle Museum EP | £2.50 | £0.30 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
Prices correct as of 23/03/19.
Philistines!
It would seem there is no demand for these CDs, with Drill being completely unwanted by the four services chosen.
A quick look on eBay proved a little more interesting.
| eBay | |
|---|---|
| Radiohead – Drill | £0.00 – There was no copy up for sale when I checked. The versions being listed at the moment are the re-release. But I have seen it on eBay for around £400 in the past. |
| Muse – Muse EP | £200-£500 – There was someone selling a non-numbered copy for £60, but the average is around the £200 mark and one chap was selling a similarly signed copy for £500. |
| Muse – Muscle Museum EP | £150-£250 – Similar to Muse EP, I think it depends on what it actually means to the person selling as to what they will sell it for. |
General summary correct as of 23/03/19.
So eBay seems to be better for this ‘online get rid of your old shit’ malarkey, but of course the prices/buyers aren’t guaranteed and the seller has to deal with all the posting etc. The four services listed above each have an app to enable quick barcode scanning and checking, and will collect the unwanted items for no extra charge. Assuming you don’t mind selling a £250 EP for £2.50.
And no, I would never sell these EPs, or any other CD from my towering collection. Not my original Bitter Sweet Symphony or Creep, or my rare Japanese imports or my copy of Showbiz, sandwiched between 2 pieces of acrylic and held in place with a bolt. They hold too many memories, are too quirky and are worth too much to be redistributed.
My dusty old DVDs that are worth tuppence each? Sure, I’ll be pleased to finally be rid of them. It turns out Ziffit will give me the most for lot, so at some point they will be boxed and gone.
And just my father did before me with his LPs, my music has been returned to its rightful place on the shelf, not to be touched again for at least another couple of years.