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Why do I have so many unwanted DVDs?
DVDs were once the most popular way to watch movies at home. In the early 2000s, DVD sales and rentals overtook VHS tapes as the preferred home video format. DVDs offered better picture and sound quality than VHS tapes. As DVD players became more affordable and widely available, consumers rushed to replace their VHS movie collections with DVDs.
During this time, movie studios took advantage of the popularity of the DVD format. They released multiple editions of films on DVD, including special editions with extra features and box sets collecting all the movies in a series. DVDs also became the main format for TV shows. Full season box sets allowed fans to binge watch their favorite shows at home.
With so many DVD releases to choose from, many people ended up accumulating large DVD collections. Owning hundreds of DVDs was common for movie buffs. But the advent of online streaming has made DVDs far less essential. Most movies and shows are now readily available on platforms like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. As people shift to streaming, their once-prized DVD libraries have become outdated.
Here are some key reasons you may have unwanted DVDs piling up:
– Switching to movie/TV streaming – Online platforms provide instant access to vast content libraries. As more consumers adopt streaming, their DVDs go unused.
– Upgrading to Blu-ray – Blu-ray discs offer significantly better video and audio quality over DVDs. Once you upgrade to Blu-ray, your old DVDs feel inferior by comparison.
– Changing tastes – Our preferences evolve over time. The movies and shows we used to love don’t always stand the test of time. DVDs of content we no longer like become clutter.
– Impulse purchases – It’s easy to overspend on DVDs when they’re cheap and readily available. Many unwated DVDs are impulse purchases we later regret.
– Gifts/hand-me-downs – Well-meaning friends and family sometimes gift DVDs we don’t actually want. Hand-me-down DVD collections also end up unused.
So with streaming replacing physical formats and tastes changing over time, unwanted DVDs have become a common annoyance in many homes.
What are my options for getting rid of unwanted DVDs?
If your home is overrun with unwanted DVDs, here are some options to consider:
Sell Them
The most direct way to unload your unwanted DVDs is selling them. There are several venues you can use.
Online marketplaces like eBay and Facebook Marketplace make it easy to sell DVDs directly to other consumers. You can sell discs individually or bundle seasons or franchises together. Pricing is up to you, but be realistic. Most used DVDs only sell for a few dollars these days.
Apps like Decluttr and tech trade-in sites like Gazelle also purchase used DVDs. They may not pay much per disc, but the convenience of quickly trading in your whole collection may be worth it.
Of course, selling locally is also an option. You can always list DVDs on neighborhood buy/sell/trade apps or sites like Craigslist and Nextdoor. Having buyers come pick them up saves you shipping costs. Also try holding a garage sale.
The major downside to selling is that it takes time and effort to list and ship items one by one. If speed and convenience are priorities, you may want to explore other options.
Donate Them
Donating your unwanted DVDs is a convenient and socially conscious option if you don’t want to bother with selling.
Goodwill, Salvation Army and Savers will accept donated DVDs at drop-off locations. Some even have outdoor bins available 24/7.
You can also donate DVDs directly to charities like Vietnam Veterans of America, which will pick them up from your home.
Non-profit thrift shops, church rummage sales, women’s shelters, libraries and senior centers may also take donated DVDs.
The main catch with donating is that not all DVDs are desired by the recipients. Heavily scratched or very common titles are often rejected. So while convenient, donations can still result in waste. But for quality DVDs, it allows others to enjoy your castoffs.
Give Them Away
If you don’t need the cash and just want to quickly unload titles, giving DVDs away is an option.
You can pass them along to family, friends or neighbors who you think would enjoy them. Just offering discs up on local Facebook groups and Nextdoor can find them new homes.
Little Free Libraries – those neighborhood mini libraries in a box – are a way to donate DVDs anonymously. Discs often go quickly from the “take a book, leave a book” libraries.
The catch is there’s no guarantee anyone walking by will want your specific titles. But it does give your DVDs a chance to find new appreciation.
Trade Them In
Some stores will let you trade in unwanted DVDs, typically for discounts or store credit.
Retail chains like Best Buy and Walmart offer DVD/Blu-ray trade-in programs online or in electronics departments. It’s an easy drop-off, but values are generally low – maybe a few dollars or a fraction of a full price disc.
More generous are entertainment retailers like FYE, MovieStop and EntertainMart that deal in used DVDs/Blu-rays. They may offer 25-50% of purchase price depending on title, condition and supply/demand. Not bad if you want to reinvest the credit.
GameStop and Vintage Stock also buy DVDs, especially rare titles, box sets and imports. Their buyback program similarly provides in-store credit.
Just keep in mind that trade-in values will never be as much as you can get selling yourself. But it may be worthwhile for the convenience if you have gift cards to spend.
Recycle Them
If your DVDs are so scratched, damaged or obsolete that no one wants them, recycling is the most environmentally friendly disposal method.
Many local recycling centers now accept DVDs and CDs. Some even have designated bins just for discs alongside paper, plastic, etc.
Some Best Buy locations will recycle your DVDs/CDs at customer service kiosks. And non-profit GreenDisk offers a mail-in DVD/CD recycling program for a fee.
While DVDs aren’t normally returned to raw materials, recycling keeps them out of landfills. Discs are shredded into polycarbonate pellets and melted down for use in other products. So if no one will buy or even take your DVDs, responsible recycling is the way to go.
8 Tips for Preparing and Getting Rid of Your DVDs
Once you’ve decided the best option for your DVDs, here are some handy tips for preparing them and efficiently getting rid of your collection:
1. Sort Them
The first step is thoroughly going through your full DVD collection and sorting titles into “keep” and “remove” piles. Be merciless here – if you really haven’t watched a DVD in years and don’t see yourself ever watching it again, it’s got to go!
2. Check Conditions
Inspect the condition of your unwanted DVDs. Anything too badly scratched or damaged should be set aside for recycling. Lightly scratched but still playable discs can be sold or donated. Perfect condition fetches higher selling prices.
3. Research Values
Lookup your DVD titles on eBay and Amazon Marketplace to gauge real-world resale values. More sought-after titles can be priced higher. But bulk box sets may sell for only a few dollars. Price accordingly.
4. Create Listings
If selling online, start listing your DVDs on selling platforms. Take clear photos showing titles and conditions. Write accurate descriptions highlighting special features, bonus content, etc.
5. Package Carefully
When mailing DVDs, package them securely. Cushion discs between cardboard and use bubble wrap to prevent cracking cases. Reinforced boxes prevent damage in transit.
6. Wipe Personal Data
DVDs can store information like viewed scenes and previews. So before selling/donating, wipe discs clean using a DVD eraser machine or scrubbing software.
7. Remove Evidence of Ownership
Similarly, remove any evidence of ownership like name labels from discs and cases. Don’t give buyers or recipients any personal information.
8. Transport Properly
When moving DVDs for shipping, donations or drop-offs, put discs in CD binders, sleeves or protective cases. Never pile loose discs or let them slide around while transporting.
FAQ About Getting Rid of DVDs
Still have some burning questions about how to handle your DVD removal? Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions:
Is it illegal to sell my DVDs?
No, it’s perfectly legal for individual owners to resell used DVDs they purchased, just like with books or CDs. The first sale doctrine gives you this right. Companies cannot restrict second-hand sales – only bootleg copying is prohibited.
How do I mail DVDs cheaply?
USPS Media Mail is the cheapest way to ship DVDs domestically. The rate is around $2.80 for your first disc, plus $0.21 for each additional DVD in the same package. Faster Priority Mail gets expensive for multiple discs.
Can I write off DVD donations on my taxes?
Yes, you can claim a tax deduction on charitable DVD donations valued over $500. Itemize disc values using reputable price guides. Get receipts from the charity documenting your donation.
What’s the easiest way to get rid of a DVD collection?
If convenience is key, trading discs into second-hand stores like FYE or EntertainMart will usually net you less than selling on your own but with minimal effort on your part. They handle appraisals and you just drop off.
Do DVD rentals like Redbox buy used DVDs?
Redbox does not buy used DVDs, only retailers resell them. Though when done renting, you can opt to donate Redbox discs to charities cooperating with the rental kiosks.
Can I recycle DVDs at Best Buy for free?
Best Buy does not charge a fee to recycle your unwanted CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays. Just bring discs to customer service. They also accept VHS tapes, cassettes and vinyl records for recycling.
Do thrift stores accept open DVDs?
Most thrift stores will not accept open DVDs where the seal is broken. This is because they can’t resell them as “new” condition. Limited open sets or rare titles may get bought by media resellers. But most require sealed packages.
Conclusion
While once essential to movie fans, most unwanted DVDs now sit gathering dust as simple clutter. But thankfully many options exist for freeing up space by getting rid of those discs. Selling, donating, trading in or recycling DVDs can all be done with relative ease.
The key is thoroughly sorting your collection to evaluate which titles still have value and which can be unloaded and replaced with streaming options. By properly preparing and listing discs for sale, transporting them securely, and researching the best drop-off options in your area, you can reclaim your space from unused DVDs. Just be sure to wipe any personal data before letting discs go.
With DVDs becoming increasingly obsolete in the digital age, you no longer need to let unwanted discs pile up. Follow these tips to conveniently, affordably and responsibly unload your unused DVD movies and TV shows. Soon you’ll have cleared room to better enjoy today’s streaming content options.