Confessions of a Bargain Shopper

The thrill of the hunt

Last week, I talked a bit about the problems surrounding digital platforms, and how they could be a good thing if we address the labor exploitation flaws:

Addressing the Digital Platforms Problem

At the tail end, I said that I wanted to talk about how I shop for physical media because I wonder if understanding my buying habits might not spark an idea with someone out there that will make it easier for consumers like me to find music AND support the artists.

First Love: Flipping Through the Stacks

In the early 1990s, I frequently found myself in the Zia Record Exchange on Thunderbird Road in Phoenix, poring over the crates of cassette tapes - and dreaming of the day when CDs and CD players would not be out of reach. A new album would run me about $15, but used tapes ran about $3 - meaning that if I kept a sharp eye out, I could grab 5 Pogues tapes for the price of one new Guns’n’Roses album.

Bargain.

And as I got more familiar with other artists, I could keep an eye out for the unexpected. Maybe somebody tried Tom Waits and didn’t like it - more for me! Or somebody was upgrading to CD and sold their stash of Elvis Costello tapes. Win!

This is still my favorite method for music shopping, though I’ve always known that the artists I love most don’t benefit from me buying their stuff in the Used Bin. I soothe my conscience by aiming for independent music and bookshops. In theory, buying new stuff through them is better for the artists than buying from big box stores, and buying used keeps the independents afloat without breaking the bank.

Also, I have a relatively unique need for physical media. I don’t have the option to stream music while I’m working, but I do have an ancient CD player at my desk. So if I want to spend quality time without distractions, I put on headphones and dive into my Excel duties. So, until I retire, CDs will continue to be a staple for me.

Persistence Hunter

Sometimes, no matter how deeply I love an artist or their work, I cannot justify the expense of buying a particular collection.

Weird Al’s box set for … how much? Those hard-to-find JoCo sets are over $50? Yowza.

Still, it’s always worth keeping my Want List up to date, and checking back whenever I’m restless and looking for the dopamine hit of finding a rare bargain.

Reading, Listening, then Seeking

Most often, I am prompted to go shopping after being reminded by a review or reminiscence. Recently,

Marshall Bowden

did a piece about Gil Evans that reminded me how much I enjoy Miles Davis’ and Cannonball Adderley’s work from that era:

The Golden Age of Gil Evans

Sold on looking for The Complete Pacific Jazz Sessions, I go to Discogs. Once I find the option with the right balance of price/format/condition, I use the “View more items from this seller” link to scour their virtual “stacks” for additional bargains.

After finding the Gil Evans set, I scrolled through about a thousand titles for sale from philadelphiamusic. I took advantage of the flat shipping charge they offer on purchases of multiple discs.

After a while, I narrowed the choices down so I don’t bust my self-imposed $20 budget.

I Like the Idea…

…of streaming from a central repository. As someone who listens to a variety of music, I’m keenly aware that my physical media habit isn’t sustainable on either a personal level or on a global one.

The “Cloud” has been promised for more than a decade, now, and it comes with its own drawbacks. Security, accessibility, durability, power consumption - large companies have the advantage for solving these problems and delivering a seamless service to the masses (like us).

But what do your “hunting habits” look like? What are you generally looking for when you find new music? Do you go broad (many artists across a genre or style) or go deep (completing collections of specific artists)?

And if things are going to be monetized—and I don’t see any way around that until Starfleet does away with money—how do you see your habits best feeding the artists?

We have a lot to think about.