Best of 2000: Best Place To Buy Used Classical Cds

The Wherehouse in La Jolla
844 Pearl Street, La Jolla
(858) 551-8901

CDs cost a lot of money, something all collectors would like to save. CDs also tend to go out of print rather rapidly, a situation all collectors would like to circumvent. Tower Records usually has a copious supply of recent cutouts at reduced prices. But only the Wherehouse has capitalized on the fact (which was never true of LPs) that a used CD is likely to be in exactly the same mint condition as a new CD. This is particularly true of classical CDs, because the people who buy them -- and sometimes decide to sell them -- tend to be fairly meticulous in taking care of them. In any case, the Wherehouse gives its used CDs a visual inspection, to make sure there is no motor oil or bubble gum in evidence; and if you find your purchases defective nevertheless, or even if you just don't like them, you can bring them back for credit or a refund. It's a risk-free way to listen to artists or pieces you don't know. Since the varying selection is wide-ranging, you often make wonderful discoveries -- and at half-price or less.