10. Are my 8-tracks rare or valuable? How can I tell how much they're worth?
Description
This article is from the 8-track Tapes FAQ, by Malcolm Riviera malco@interpath.com with numerous contributions by others.
10. Are my 8-tracks rare or valuable? How can I tell how much they're worth?
Sorry, but there isn't a guide to what is worth how much in the
8-track world. The short answer would be: "They are worth whatever
somebody will pay for them." Flea market and thrift stores still sell
carts for anywhere from 5 cents to a buck, but collectors are driving
up the prices as we speak. For example, John and Yoko's "Wedding
Album" on 8-T will net you about as much as the vinyl version. A copy
of the aborted second collaboration with Frank Sinatra and Antonio
Carlos Jobim (which didn't even make it to test pressings in vinyl) is
so scarce that the owner of one told "Goldmine" he wouldn't part with
his "for at least $5,000". (8-Track Mind #81) Then, there IS Mr. Bucks
from Texas who managed to sell a copy of the Sex Pistols' "Never Mind
the Bollocks" for $100 and "Cloud Nine" by George Harrison for $150.
To counter this, another copy of "Never Mind the Bollocks" was
recently sold for 1 cent by another collector fed up with these high
prices!
Anyone who's really curious or wants an authoritative voice to back a
hunch might want to find a price guide of pre-recorded tapes (or a
single artist guide in the prerecorded tape section) for some idea.
The Official Price Guide series covers this area rather nicely and is
readily available in most parts of the country. However, keep in mind
that the prices listed are for mint or very good condition. If your
cart has been through the mill, and you can usually tell just by
looking at them, don't expect to get rich.
Of course, all this about the Official guides being the easiest to
find is based on a gut feeling, since that's the only one I've found
in this area. The guide to the Beatles is an interesting read, since
it places most of the Fab Carts at $15-25 in mint. It also verifies
that the last ever Beatles solo 8 was George Harrison's Cloud 9, and
that even in good condition (in grading terms good) it can net you
$40. It does place the complete Wedding Album set (mint) at $75,
although I did see someone trying to sell one in Goldmine at the
aforementioned $200+
If you are unsure about the collectability of your collection, just
say "make me an offer" when you're ready to sell.
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