A December 1991 Billboard article noted, "Since CDs, unlike vinyl records, are not easily damaged, consumers can buy a used ...

If you're looking to buy CDs online and build your collection, there are, thankfully, a lot of great places to buy them both new and used. Some are more expensive or ethical than others ...

Once Sony would no longer accept returns on those CDs, it only made sense for stores to sell them as used at a reduced price, which, in turn, led to a willingness to buy used CDs from customers.