What % of your CDs would you be happy with in MP3 format only?

[skeptik]

So really, you're saying that in approx. 888 of your CDs, they have all been the 'perfect' buy.

Was this from sampling first and then buying? Or was it blind buy purchases from reviews only?

Maybe you should be buying lottery tickets man because that is some SERIOUS hit rate!?

Of course they're not all 'perfect' buys, but I don't regret them. Most of the CDs I buy are based on recommendations from people that have extremely common tastes to my own. I don't really consider those blind buys. Blind buys to me are when you go into a record store and see a cool looking album cover that seems like it might be something that you like. I've done that as well, with mixed success of course, and a lot of that is gone now. The only reviews that I care about are from people that I trust. Other favorable reviews merely sway me to look into bands (i.e. find samples of the music) before I buy.

 

[JayKeeley]

Yeah, but isn't that a form of stealing?

edit: to a couple posts back

what? making copies of something you've already bought? Nah, it's "archiving". I wouldn't continue to listen to it, hence the reason why I sold it in the first place. It would exist on a hard disk somewhere just in case I wanted to revist and maybe decide to rebuy. It's doubtful though because it's never happened before, once it goes it goes.

It's more like an "insurance" program because the reason why I never sold in the first place was because I was too scared that I might be selling something I would eventually learn to like. I think you have to just cut and run though, especially when you've accumulated SO MUCH CRAP like me.

Let's put this all into perspective:

I own Cradle of Filth's "Damnation and a Day".

I do NOT own Satyricon's "Dark Medieval Times".

I cannot justify buying the Satyricon until I've completely removed that Cradle of Filth from my collection, otherwise the shit just keeps accumulating.

People call this spring cleaning.

 

[skeptik]

If you have a CD that you never listen to because it sucks, it's wasted money as it is. Isn't it better to sell it so you can at least make back some of the loss? On average I've been able to recover at least 2/3 of the cost of the CDs that I've bought and then sold/traded away. It's rather have that 2/3 of my money back and those CDs out of my sight than to have those eyesores in my collection and no money. So yeah, it's not an overall profit (unless it's a rare CD of course), but it's more money than you would have had if you just kept it.

 

[JayKeeley]

Blind buys to me are when you go into a record store and see a cool looking album cover that seems like it might be something that you like.

Well, maybe, but also a blind buy to me is when you buy soley by reading a review and not hearing a single note from the album beforehand.

I agree though that sometimes you do this with trusted "advisors" -- friends, preferred reviewers, or if it's simply a favorite artist you love.

Other favorable reviews merely sway me to look into bands (i.e. find samples of the music) before I buy.

I apply this to everything now. I never used to. I trust myself more than anyone else on the planet when it comes to sampling the goods.

 

[skeptik]

I actually can't remember the last time that I've purchased a CD that I don't like, so I guess that's a good sign.

 

[JayKeeley]

If you have a CD that you never listen to because it sucks, it's wasted money as it is. Isn't it better to sell it so you can at least make back some of the loss? On average I've been able to recover at least 2/3 of the cost of the CDs that I've bought and then sold/traded away. It's rather have that 2/3 of my money back and those CDs out of my sight than to have those eyesores in my collection and no money. So yeah, it's not an overall profit (unless it's a rare CD of course), but it's more money than you would have had if you just kept it.

Exactly. That's why we all sell / trade, to try to recoup some of the loss.

The other point being made, however, is that if you know what it is you're buying upfront then the amount of CDs you eventually have to trade and sell becomes SIGNIFICANTLY reduced.

I don't know how this basic logic can be challenged.

 

[JayKeeley]

I actually can't remember the last time that I've purchased a CD that I don't like, so I guess that's a good sign.

Seriously, give me 6 numbers for the lottery right now.

 

[skeptik]

I don't know how this basic logic can be challenged.

I don't think anyone is challenging this logic, I was just responding to dorian.

Oh, and 12, 24, 53, 27, 18, and 34.

 

[JayKeeley]

I don't think anyone is challenging this logic

Exhibit A:

Yeah, it happens, to this day. Who cares? Half the fun is finding out, and half the shit I end up loving, I didn't love when I first listened to it.

Exhibit B:

This is like finding out what others bought you for Christmas, and then opening the present and "Thanks! I know I'll love it because I've already used it." BORING!
Jeez people, it's a few dollars.

Oh, and 12, 24, 53, 27, 18, and 34.

I hope you're not expecting to share in my mass fortune.

 

[valerus]

15-20%..ish.

 

[General Zod]

Let me preface my comments by saying, I have a collector's mentality. I own a little over 800 CDs. Of which, I would probably only be willing to part with 25. And even those, have a track or two I queue up every now and then.

Zod

 

[skeptik]

Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:

I should clarify that I more or less meant I wasn't challenging that point. :zombie:

 

[Reign in Acai]

@ Necuratul: Good response.

So really, you have 900 CDs, all of which you would buy again if you didn't currently own them?

Last year when some coon broke in to my jalopy, taking a backpack that contained approximately 80 cd's, I vowed to repurchase every single one. Approx 18 or so months later, I've repurchased about 25%, will repurchase another 25%, and write the other 50% off as a case of having my tastes evolve away from albums I would not enjoy as much today as I once did. Too much music waiting to be discovered. With that being said, I wouldn't have traded a single one of them if I didn't get negaraped!

 

[J.]

ill be getting some samsung mp3 player for free due to selling a number of their appliances, so ill let y'all know if these things are really worth it.

i bet ill end up selling the damn thing

old school is the only way

 

[Demonspell]

I'm a little more forgiving when it comes to selling unwanted CDs, I tend to procrastinate regarding ridding my collection of mediocre items (for me, albums where good outweighs the bad and/or have seriously worn off) and usually only turn them in when I really need the money. As far as my success rate in purchasing goes, I'd say it's around 80%, no small part due to sampling mp3s (and not the second an album leaks, I've never given into that temptation).

 

[J.]

I see about 3 movies a year. I used to buy maybe 5 CDs per month. It's not the same at all.

So you rent/netflix/go to theater only 3 times a year, eh? I find that hard to believe. Didn't you just go see the new Bond? Did you watch it on your computer first, or did you go based on reviews of friends, etc?

What if the Bond sucked? Total loss.

So would you buy a car without test driving it?

I did.

Again, this "test driving" theory of yours for music, just takes the fun out of it for money's sake.

 

[JayKeeley]

So you rent/netflix/go to theater only 3 times a year, eh? I find that hard to believe. Didn't you just go see the new Bond? Did you watch it on your computer first, or did you go based on reviews of friends, etc?

What if the Bond sucked? Total loss.

I watched it because it was a Bond flick and I'm a Bond fan. I suppose this is the equivalent of buying blind an album from a band you like?? I dunno because your analogy sucks all kinds of ass.

1 CD = $15 @ 5 times per month = $75

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't spend $75 per month on watching movies.

I did.

You bought a car without test driving it. So you were 100% sure that the car was in perfect working order by guessing or believing what the used car dealer told you. I see. Man, you must be a salesman's wet dream.

Again, this "test driving" theory of yours for music, just takes the fun out of it for money's sake.

Well, I'm not sure why this is even remotely being challenged!!!?!!

Having money > Not having money
Spending money on something you want > Spending money on trash
The fun in having bought something you like > the fun in knowing that you have to resell it at a loss

etc.

I mean, wtf?

 

[JayKeeley]

Taken from the Ancient Rites thread....oh look....

J interested in Ancient Rites in May 2005.

Requests samples...

yeah, i'll take those yousendits if you got 'em

Listens to samples. And what do you know, a couple of months later:

these guys are actually kick ass. Heavy Fucking Metal viking thrash whatsits.

ballsy stuff

Looked like a fucking "test drive" to me!

Furthermore, what were all those RECOMMENDATION threads we had running for months if they weren't an opportunity to SAMPLE THE GOODS!!??!!

 

[J.]

I watched it because it was a Bond flick and I'm a Bond fan. I suppose this is the equivalent of buying blind an album from a band you like?? I dunno because your analogy sucks all kinds of ass.

So you only watch 3 movies a year if they're Bond flicks? Are you not getting my movie analogy? Is every movie you rent/go see just kickass? If so, it's you who should be giving lotto numbers.

1 CD = $15 @ 5 times per month = $75

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't spend $75 per month on watching movies.

Where the hell are you buying your CDs? For retail?

You bought a car without test driving it. So you were 100% sure that the car was in perfect working order by guessing or believing what the used car dealer told you. I see. Man, you must be a salesman's wet dream.

He was a personal friend of the wife.

Having money > Not having money
Spending money on something you want > Spending money on trash
The fun in having bought something you like > the fun in knowing that you have to resell it at a loss

etc.

I mean, wtf?

the fun in being pleasantly surprised>>being boring

perfect example: i bought the Alcest CD without hearing a note. bought entirely based on reviews and RCers praises. I absolutely love it. A case of being thrilled without cheating.

 

[J.]

Looked like a fucking "test drive" to me!

Furthermore, what were all those RECOMMENDATION threads we had running for months if they weren't an opportunity to SAMPLE THE GOODS!!??!!

so listening to a yousendit equals downloading an entire album to see if i should spend money on it?

i rarely listen to any samples because my computer doesnt support all these high tech bullshit medias these days anyway