Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
Sell Cassette Tapes
Reading Time: 4 minutesHave you ever considered that you can even sell cassette tapes? It’s approaching that time, when you are probably thinking about sorting your house out. Getting rid of the old and bringing in the new. But before you throw all your unwanted items in the bin, why not take a minute to see if anything’s worth a little money.
Here at MoneyMagpie, we’ve previously shared with you our tips on how to make money selling your own VHS tapes. Now we want to share with you how to make money sell your old cassettes tapes.
Cassette tapes have been considered outdated for a number of years due to the emergence of streaming and the introduction of the CD. But in recent years there has been a resurgence in the number of cassettes sold. Research from the BPI showed that in 2020, 157,000 cassettes had been sold in the UK, in 2021 this number rose to 185,000 a growth of 19%. So, instead of throwing out that dusty pile of tapes, why not see if they’re worth anything?
What to do with old cassette tapes
Who buys old cassette tapes
Living in the digital age makes us often forget about the humble cassette tape. However, there are lots of online options when it comes to where to sell cassette tapes but remember sometimes selling in person can be just as effective.
eBay
eBay is the biggest online auction site so it’s a good place to start when selling your old cassette tapes. From Bjork to 2Pac to the Spice Girls, if you can name it, it’s probably on there. Take some time to peruse the site and price your tapes accordingly. You can sell them as singles or job lots but either way you’re going to cash in on your junk.
Amazon
Amazon lets you list what you want on your own store so it could be the perfect place to sell your collection, but it is worth taking into account the selling fees they charge for using their site.
Local record stores
If you do your research, you might find a local record store that’s willing to take your old cassettes off your hands. You might not get as much as if you sell online but you don’t have to worry about posting them out and you’ll get your money there and then.
Car boot sales and vintage fairs
We all love a good car boot sale, so why not find out where your local one is and get yourself a table. You might meet a local music lover who wants to buy your tapes or who could point you in the direction of a fanatic. It’s amazing what networking can do when it comes to selling.
Should I invest?
It’s clear to see that Cassettes are making a comeback with more people buying nostalgia due to the pandemic. As well as younger people buying limited releases from their favourite artists. So, should you invest?
If you love the nostalgia and still have a tape player that works – why not? It’s another way of supporting your favourite artists and lets you have a physical copy of their music instead of constant streaming. If you choose to invest in limited release cassettes and sell them in the future, you might make your money back and then some.
But like all investments, there is an element of risk, and we can’t predict how long the cassette market will keep growing.
Top of the charts – the most valuable cassettes for sale
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Xero – Xero.
This title might not be known to many, but it was the first self-released and self-titled album by the band that would go on to be known as Linkin Park. There’s are not many copies around justifying its whopping $4,500 price tag.
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The Artist (Formerly Known As Prince) – The Versace Experience – Prelude 2 Gold
Created exclusively for the attendees of Paris Fashion Week in 1995, this cassette sold for $4,117. This very limited release also states its “4 promotional use only – not 4 sale” – but for that price why wouldn’t you sell?
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Various – United Diaries 1979-87
This 32-tape collection – complete with suitcase comprises all of United Diaries works from 1979-87. It’s pretty experimental music so you might not have heard of Steven Stapleton, Nurse With Wound and similar artists that were involved in its creation. It is in the top 100 list multiple times with the most it has been sold for being $2,300.
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Throbbing Gristle – 24 Hours
Originally limited to 50 copies this was a 26-tape collection with matching suitcase for storage. Released in 1980, each of the 50 sets was personalised to the buyer and dated, sent out with hand-made collages each one was completely unique. Initially retailing for £77 in the UK, it recently sold for £2,200 – so maybe check your attic for it.
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Various – De La Viande Pour Le Disco
Selling for $1,818 this French cassette is not widely known on the UK market, so you probably don’t have this one lying around in the loft.
So maybe it’s time to dig around your attic and price up your old cassette collection – you might be sitting on a gold mine.
Hi there I have original cassette tapes and original VHS tapes, where can I sell it
I have a bunch of old cassettes tapes and old Disney movies need to tell
I have a lots of a cassette tape who would like to buy it the price is yours.
How many??? I could buy. Am in Mumbai India
Do my tapes have value if they don’t have cases. And is there any value in home recorded tapes
I have a number of beatles John lenon tapes for sale is anyone interested
I have about 50 cassettes mainly from the 80s and 90s. I don’t know what to do with them
I have at least 100 & a very old Cassett+ VCR player.
I have number of Hindi music cassette n wish to sale them all… pl contact
If anyone has rap cassettes for sale hit me up.
Are you looking for any particular?
I have a few hundred maybe
As do I, lol. And the ir CDS
I have dr.Dre chronicles and heavy d
I’m selling my tapes now
I have some old rap for sale
I have some vintage tapes:
RAP attack volume 1&2,
N.W.A and the posse
The Fresh Prince
Fat Boys
Run DMC
Great idea, I’ve got loads of cassettes.
Got quite a collection of cassettes, but also threw many away, along with my VHS tapes….Time is a funny thing isn’t it….
I held on to my VHS tapes, some are priceless. But my VHS player isn’t compatible with 2022 Sony Android bla bla bla, Smart TV