With streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ taking over the home entertainment landscape, DVDs have become increasingly obsolete. Many people have large DVD collections gathering dust on shelves that they want to clear out. Getting rid of old DVDs can be a hassle, but there are several options for doing so effectively.
Page Contents
Donate DVDs
One of the easiest ways to get rid of old DVDs is to donate them. Many charities and non-profits accept DVD donations and will either resell them or use them for their programs. Here are some options for DVD donation:
- Goodwill – Goodwill accepts DVD donations at any of their retail locations. They will evaluate the DVDs and resell the ones that are in good condition in their stores.
- Salvation Army – The Salvation Army also accepts donated DVDs to resell at their thrift stores. Make sure to call your local store first to ensure they are accepting donations.
- Library – Many local libraries accept donated DVDs to add to their collections. These are especially helpful for smaller town libraries. Call ahead to ask about their policy.
- Nursing homes – Nursing homes and assisted living facilities often appreciate DVD donations for their residents to watch. Call local facilities to see if they accept entertainment donations.
- Non-profits – Various non-profits that serve youth, families and other populations sometimes accept DVD donations for their programs. Search for organizations near you that may have a need.
The benefit of donating DVDs is that it keeps them out of landfills and gets them into the hands of people who can use them. Many of these organizations will even provide you with a donation receipt for tax purposes.
Sell to Second Hand Stores
Another option for getting rid of old DVDs is to sell them to second hand stores. Stores like Half Price Books and 2nd & Charles specialize in buying and reselling used music, movies and games. Here’s how the process typically works:
- Bring your DVDs to a second hand store location and show them to the buyer. Make sure they are in good condition.
- The buyer will sort through and assess which DVDs they are willing to buy.
- They will make you an offer based on their resale value. This is often just a few dollars per DVD.
- If you accept the offer, they will purchase the DVDs from you immediately.
The advantage of selling to a second hand store is that you can get some cash in return for DVDs you no longer want. Be aware that they often only accept DVDs that are newer and in high demand. Older or obscure titles may be rejected.
Trade In to Retail Stores
Major retail chains that sell DVDs and media may also offer DVD trade-in programs. Here are some stores that accept DVD trade-ins:
- Amazon Trade-In – Amazon allows you to trade in used DVDs by mailing them to them. They will provide an upfront trade-in value in the form of an Amazon gift card.
- Best Buy Trade-In – Best Buy accepts DVD trade-ins in-store for Best Buy gift cards. Trade values vary based on title, age and condition.
- Target Trade-In – At participating Target locations, you can trade in lightly used DVDs for Target gift cards.
Trading in to major retailers is convenient if you frequently shop at those stores. It also allows you to get rid of a large DVD collection all at once. However, the trade-in values are usually very low so don’t expect to recoup much money.
Sell Online
For DVDs that may be rare or collectible, you can consider selling them through online marketplaces. Here are some options:
- eBay – List individual DVD titles or bundles on eBay. This global marketplace exposes your DVDs to many potential buyers.
- Amazon Marketplace – Amazon Marketplace allows you to list used DVDs for sale just like eBay. Look up DVD values before pricing.
- Facebook Marketplace – List DVDs for local pickup sale through Facebook Marketplace. Meet buyers in your community.
- Decluttr – This website buys a wide range of media directly from you to resell. Get an instant price quote for each DVD.
Selling online takes more effort but allows you to maximize your profits, especially for rarer DVDs. Be sure to research DVD values before listing to price them competitively.
Host a Yard Sale
If you have a large DVD collection to get rid of, consider hosting a yard sale. Yard sales allow you to sell directly to customers in your neighborhood. To hold an effective yard sale:
- Organize and price your DVDs – Consider bundling seasons of TV shows or related movies. Price at 25-50% of original retail cost.
- Advertise – Place yard sale signs around your neighborhood. Post on Nextdoor, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
- Display neatly – Use tables and shelves to neatly organize and display your DVDs by genre, pricing, etc.
- Accept cash only – To avoid scams, only accept cash for DVD purchases. Provide change.
- Donate leftovers – After the yard sale, donate any unsold DVDs.
A yard sale takes effort to organize but is a social way to clear out DVDs and make some extra cash. Encourage attendees to look through your full DVD selection.
Recycle DVDs
For any DVDs that are damaged, extremely outdated or unsellable, recycling is an option. While regular curbside recycling doesn’t accept DVDs, there are some specialty recyclers to look for.
- Best Buy – Drop off unwanted DVDs at Best Buy stores with recycling programs. They safely recycle electronics and media.
- EcoATM – These automated kiosks accept DVDs and other devices to recycles. They provide cash rewards for materials.
- GreenDisk – This mail-in DVD recycling service properly destroys and recycles data-containing DVDs for a fee.
Recycling DVDs keeps them out of landfills and allows the plastic and metal materials to be reused. For extra security, some services securely destroy and recycle sensitive DVDs.
Conclusion
Getting rid of old DVDs can take some time and effort, but there are many great options available. Donating, selling and recycling DVDs all help give these discs a second life or properly dispose of them. With the convenience of streaming, DVD collections are becoming obsolete, so put yours to good use through donation, trade-in or sale.
How you choose to get rid of your DVDs depends on the amount of time and effort you want to invest. Donating takes minimal effort while online selling requires more time commitment. Weigh the pros and cons of each method to decide what will work for your situation.
And don’t forget to declutter those DVD storage shelves and bins once your collection finds new homes. That new space can be used for more practical storage instead of dusty old discs. As DVDs fade into the past, put yours to good use and reclaim your space for the digital age of entertainment.
Pro Tips for Getting Rid of DVDs
Here are some expert tips for streamlining the process of getting rid of your DVD collection:
| Tip | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Bundle DVD sets or genres | Sell at yard sales or trade-in together to maximize value |
| Research rare/valuable titles | Individual sell pricier DVDs online for higher profit |
| Delete any downloaded digital copies | Avoid potential piracy issues when selling or donating |
| Factory reset DVD players | Protect personal info if selling/donating players too |
| Get cash payment at yard sales | Avoid hassles and scams with checks or cards |
Following these handy tips will make it easier to consolidate, sell and clean out your DVD stash. Handling discs carefully and deleting personal data will allow your DVDs to transition smoothly to new owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to sell my old DVDs?
No, it is perfectly legal to resell your used DVDs through secondary markets like yard sales, thrift stores, online marketplaces, etc. The first sale doctrine gives you the right to resell copyrighted materials you legally purchased.
Will thrift stores accept scratched up DVDs?
Most thrift stores will only accept DVD donations that are in good, playable condition. Deeply scratched or damaged DVDs will likely be rejected or thrown away by the thrift store.
Can I recycle DVDs that still have data on them?
If your DVDs contain sensitive personal data, it is best to use a destruction/recycling service that securely deletes data before recycling. Or you can destroy the discs yourself before standard recycling.
Is it better to sell DVDs in bundles or separately?
Bundling season sets of TV shows or related movie series can boost value for yard sales or trade-ins. But rare individual titles may fetch higher prices if sold separately online.
What percentage of original price can I sell my DVDs for?
Expect to sell used DVDs for 25-50% of what they originally retailed for when new. Rare titles in pristine condition may sell for more. Heavily used DVDs may sell for less.
Closing Thoughts on DVD Decluttering
Freeing up space taken up by dusty stacks of untouched DVDs provides a valuable opportunity to clean and organize your home entertainment setup. As you pare down your obsolete disc collection through strategic donation, selling and recycling, enjoy the simplicity offered by today’s streaming content services.
With a little bit of time invested, your DVD clutter and shelves of discs can transformed. A streamlined digital media experience awaits, along with newfound space ready for a more intentional use that better suits your lifestyle.