the Green Bargains Blog

Just seen the ad’ on my TV for a company that will recycle your old CDs, DVDs and computer games into cash: musicMagpie.co.uk

It sounds like a great idea. If, like me, you’ve got more DVDs than shelf space to put them on and you want to thin out your collection, a site that offers to buy them off you sounds a godsend. But it pays to read the small print. Their FAQ says, for example, that if your discs are scratched “We will deduct up to 50p per disc as a refurbishment charge.” and “All discs are non-returnable, and our assessment is final.” (Italics added). And as only one of the four DVDs I tried inputting was worth more than 30p, that could mean you’d get no money at all if they adjudged the DVD to be scratched. Plus they state that “We only purchase CDs, DVDs, or Games with all pertinent artwork and inlays, undamaged and unmarked. We do not buy CDs, DVDs, or Games without cases.” and elsewhere it says that any booklets that were included with the DVD etc. have to be present and in excellent condition so this is not a way to get rid of your old, tired looking DVDs.

However, before we completely dismiss it, 30p may well be all you could reasonably expect to get (and remember, there’s no postage and packing costs to take out of that). You could, like me, be overly optimistic and stick your copy of Superman Returns (Single disc edition) on Amazon Marketplace but there are loads of them for sale there already, and a shortage of mad people to buy them!, so that 30p is beginning to look more tempting. Meanwhile, if anyone does use the service, please do share your experiences by adding a comment or using our contact form.

Visit musicMagpie.co.uk