Amazon Selling Used CDs Advertised As New

@stuartk thanks for the suggestions on importcds.com!  I'll give them a look. I've been aware of discogs but don't think I've ever purchased from them in the past.  I'll give them another look. I've also bought used CDs on eBay.  In general, I've never had any issues that couldn't be resolved to my satisfaction with any eBay purchase (not just CDs). It might be since payment with eBay is only by PayPal and they will give refunds.

I have had the same experience on Amazon.  I simply return them.  Not doing so simply encourages the liars and cheaters.

@corelli  Sorry this has happened to you as well. I agree, letting things go just confirms that they can get away with it.  I no longer let it slide based on principle -- it's not about the money.

Have you considered switching to streaming?  For far less than you’re likely spending on CDs you could have a Qobuz subscription and access to worlds music and much of it in hi res.  I get it if you’re averse to going down that rabbit hole — I was too — but it’s really not that difficult to get started and was literally a reawakening to the listening experience finding so much new music at my fingertips.  My only regret is not switching to streaming sooner and would strongly encourage you to at least consider it.  Just my $0.02 FWIW. 

@soix  I have only briefly considered streaming. I'm more of a late adopter and limited time is probably the biggest reason I haven't looked into it. I have discovered new music by using streaming sources such as Pandora -- but that has typically been when my cell phone is the only source for music.  I also do still listen to the radio -- primarily when I'm driving.

Weird experience! I've been buying new CD's and vinyl on Amazon for decades and everything I received as 'new' was new. Sometimes plastic CD cases are cracked, but that's the nature of plastic CD cases; I've gotten new ones from many places that arrived like that. 

@larsman that has been my experience too until around the beginning of this year. After a few times, it's clear they are not mistakes. I received one CD that was nowhere close to new -- everything significantly worn with a "Saver's" price sticker. Since we don't seem to be able to post photos here, here is a link to the photo I sent to Amazon. They refunded my money and I didn't have to return it.

https://i.postimg.cc/PqLQvYrk/20250118-190438.jpg

ccmusic.com

Thanks @lmnop , I'll take a look there as well!

It's everywhere. I had to return 9 vinyl records to Target, out of 15. Bought online, returned in person. All had been played, some even had different inner sleeves, some had light scratches, they had the loose shrink some stores use. Amazon CDs also as you say, but also some from Blue Note direct and other big merchandisers with easy return policies and no one looking. People buy them, then return them...whether gifts or open returns or bad sounding vinyl or they didn't like it or whatever. Been going on since the 60s. Korvette's and Woolworth's especially back then, but at least they discounted them, although no transparency. I usually just keep them if they play fine....but if not, like the Target ones, back they go.

@markmoskow I too let the first couple go without complaint -- they were clearly not new, but in decent condition, played without issues, and were a decent price. But since it started happening regularly -- I don't let it go any longer just based on principle.

That’s dirty pool, and I hope those of you who fell prey to this have ripped the sellers a new one in their ratings as they’ll care about that and it will also alert others as to what they’re doing.  Very underhanded and sad. 

@soix that's exactly what I do.  I give a poor rating and get some sort of refund or other compensation back from Amazon. This will keep happening if everyone remains silent.  With the last CD I received that initiated this post, I checked the seller's feedback and saw that several people were complaining about the same thing.

tomrk

07-23-2025 at 07:25pm 

It sounds like you purchased from a 3rd party.   In almost all cases, 3rd party sales are used.   That's why they're less expensive.

I usually buy on CDs on Discogs, yes, they’re all used, but as long as they play, being used doesn’t make them inferior. I’ve had good luck with them.

I have at times purchased from third-party vendors. Amazon indicates that.  Some are new, others are used but you are informed when they are used along with a rating (like-new, very good, good, acceptable, etc.). This latest purchase was "fulfilled by Amazon" and stated as "new" but I do believe a third-party provided it to Amazon.  It was shipped from an Amazon warehouse and the purchased contributed to my getting free shipping with a minimum $35 order, which is only available with products shipped by Amazon.

ccogopher

07-23-2025 at 08:15pm 

This seems to be happening a lot now. I had to return a pair of shoes that had been well worn (not just tried on and returned), and a suitcase that was scuffed up and had someone’s clothing lint inside. Both items were supposed to be new but obviously weren’t. I’ve read that it’s becoming a big issue with online retailers. Just look at negative reviews for the biggest retailer of all -they’re filled with people’s complaints of receiving obviously use merchandise.

Wow!

1971gto455ho

07-23-2025 at 10:41pm 

Now now have a little compassion that idiot owning Amazon has to pay for his $50 million dollar wedding. Lol

Cheers 

LOL!!

P.S. Nice username! It's along the same theme as mine.

trebor33

07-24-2025 at 07:30am 

Had the same issue with Amazon selling used CD’s as new, usually wrapped in loose cellophane with a “new” sticker. Had a few scratched discs and creased inlays/booklets. Latest one I had, somebody had written total running time in ballpoint on the booklet, so obviously not new! These are sold by Amazon CD’s, not Fulfilled By Amazon, and not cheap either!

Wow -- I haven't had that issue with "sold by Amazon" yet.  Maybe it's just a matter of time. Thus the reason I'm going to start looking elsewhere.

stuartk

07-24-2025 at 05:38pm 

@93rubyz  

At this point, many of the Cds I still want are out of print, and more often than not, used. But not all CDs on discogs are used! I’ve bought new CDs on Discogs and still do, from time to time. 

Still, one can never take for granted that Cds will turn out to be in the same Cond. as advertised, either due to sloppiness or bad intentions on the part of sellers. It’s gotten to the point where I ask all sellers to double check their grading before I hit "pay". I’ve found reputable sellers are glad to oblige.

I don't mind buying used CDs from time-to-time, usually because I can't find new at a reasonable price. But when I buy used CDs, I expect them to be of the condition stated. That has been the case for most purchases with only a few exceptions.

There is one CD I purchased from Amazon a few months ago that was hard to find, and pricey.  I kept watching and a more reasonable one popped up and it was new -- from a third-party vendor.  I was nervous that I was going to be scammed again with a used version. Well instead of a used version, I got a brand new CD of something completely different! I contacted the seller and they apologized and indicated they would send me a replacement.  I let them know what had been happening to me with used CDs being sent and that they had better not do that or I would make a huge stink with Amazon. They promised that would not happen and they would send me a new version of this difficult to find CD.  I was pessimistic but decided to give them the chance. Lo and behold, I received a new copy of the exact CD that I ordered. This truly might have been a case of an honest mistake when the wrong CD was originally shipped.

audio-oldie

07-24-2025 at 07:36am 

Outside of online stores, where does one go nowadays for purchasing CDs that aren't in someone's corporate  top 40 list?  All of my local record/CD stores that sell NEW are gone. And as long as you want a physical disc to hold in your hands, you get to pays your money and take your chances.

I believe there are places in some towns/cities.  It's good to shop there to help keep them going. I admit, I haven't done that in a long time.  The convenience of finding what you want from your home by using a search function and having it shipped directly to you without ever having to leave home is a temptation that has become difficult to avoid.

Every year there is a "Record Store Day" that is to encourage shopping for music at local record stores.

https://recordstoreday.com/

billstevenson

07-24-2025 at 10:04am 

This just happened to me for the first time yesterday.  I just reported it, but decided to keep the cd as it is one that is out off print so to speak.  Don't know what action Amazon will take yet, but I'll let you know.  

@billstevenson If you take it up with Amazon and complain, they will give you some sort of compensation.  It might be a refund where you can keep the CD, a replacement with a new one, or even some credit for your troubles. I'd rather they provide me with what I ordered, but by complaining you will get something in return and hopefully they will start to hear that we are not going to accept what is going on.

yada

07-26-2025 at 01:20pm 

Many of my discs were only played twice, the first rip was in 2004 (or later) and then again in 2025. I kept these in laundry baskets all these years and I am not nearly finished yet. If a CD is clean and only used twice, is a NM- appropriate? I have scratched up cases because of my poor storage preference.

In my opinion, it doesn't matter how many times a CD is played, what matters is the condition of it (i.e., clean without any scratches or any other type of defects). The case should be like-new and also the same for the included literature. I don't believe a CD wears out by playing it -- it's how it is handled and stored that can affect it's condition.