18 Places to Find Physical Media to Build Your Collection

Streaming may be convenient, but physical media gives you something a subscription can’t: a collection you actually have sitting on your shelf that can’t be taken away. Whether you’re collecting vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, VHS tapes, books, video games, or a little bit of everything, you don’t necessarily need to buy everything new.

Thrift stores, library sales, estate sales, flea markets, and even your friends and family can be great sources for inexpensive physical media. If you’re searching for a particular title or edition, specialty stores and online marketplaces can help fill the gaps.

The fun is figuring out where to look. Here are 18 places to hunt for physical media and build your collection without limiting yourself to new releases.

Key takeaways

• Thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales, flea markets, and library sales can be good places to find inexpensive physical media.
• Used bookstores and record stores are easier to browse when you’re looking for a particular type of media.
• Friends and relatives may have books, DVDs, CDs, records, or other media they no longer want.
• Online marketplaces make it easier to hunt for specific titles and editions, but remember to factor shipping into the price.

1. Thrift stores

Thrift stores are an easy place to start because they sell many kinds of physical media in one place.

Depending on the store, you might find:

• Books
• CDs
• DVDs
• Blu-rays
• VHS tapes
• Vinyl records
• Video games
• Audiobooks
• Box sets

Inventory can vary wildly from one visit to the next, which is part of the fun. If you thrift regularly, learn which stores near you tend to have the best media sections and how frequently they put out new merchandise.

Don’t assume the good stuff will always be in the obvious section. DVDs may be mixed with CDs, box sets may be sitting with books, and records may be tucked into a random shelf. 

2. Used bookstores

Used bookstores aren’t just for novels. Some also carry collectible comics, graphic novels, magazines, DVDs, CDs, records, audiobooks, and other media. They’re particularly useful if you want to browse an organized selection rather than dig through random boxes.

You may pay more than you would at a garage sale, but books are often categorized by genre or author, which can save you a lot of hunting. Some stores also buy or trade used books. If you’re running out of shelf space, you may be able to trade books you no longer want toward something new to your collection.

3. Record stores

If you’re collecting vinyl, record stores should be an obvious stop. Don’t skip them if you collect CDs, cassettes, or other music formats, though. Some record stores carry a variety of new and used physical music.

Used sections can be especially fun to browse because you may find older albums, unusual releases, imports, compilations, or music you’ve never heard before.

Record store employees may also be able to help you track down a particular album or tell you whether something you’re hunting for comes through the store regularly.

4. Garage sales

Garage and yard sales can be fantastic for cheap physical media because sellers are often more interested in clearing space than maximizing the price of every DVD.

Look for boxes of:

• Books
• CDs
• DVDs
• VHS tapes
• Records
• Video games

If you want several items, ask whether the seller will give you a price for the entire stack. You may get a much better deal by buying 10 DVDs together instead of negotiating over each one individually.

Go early if you’re hunting for something specific. Go later if you’re more interested in bargains, since sellers may be more motivated to avoid carrying everything back inside.

5. Estate sales

Estate sales can be especially good for older physical media. Because you’re shopping through a household’s belongings accumulated over many years, you may find collections that aren’t as common at regular retail stores.

Depending on the home, that could include:

• Records
• Vintage books
• VHS tapes
• Cassettes
• CDs
• DVDs
• Magazines
• Sheet music
• Video games

6. Library sales

Libraries frequently receive donated books and other media, and some sell items to raise money. Depending on the library, you may find books, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, and other materials at low prices. 

Do a web search for “Friends of the Library sales” and similar events in your area or go to the library’s website and find their calendar to get dates. Some libraries have occasional large sales, while others maintain a small sale section throughout the year.

7. Flea markets

Flea markets can give you dozens of sellers to browse in one trip. One booth may specialize in records, another in movies, and another in vintage video games. 

Prices can vary considerably between sellers, so don’t automatically buy the first copy you find. Walk around, compare condition and price, then circle back if necessary. If a vendor has a large selection of the type of media you collect, ask whether they have additional inventory that isn’t displayed.

8. Antique stores and malls

Antique stores can be worth checking if you’re interested in older media.

You might find:

• Vintage books
• Records
• Magazines
• Sheet music
• VHS tapes
• Cassettes
• Old advertisements
• Comics

Antique malls can be especially interesting because each booth has a different seller. One booth may have nothing remotely relevant to your collection, while the next one has an entire shelf of records you’ve been looking for. Prices may be higher than thrift stores or garage sales, so compare before buying.

9. Friends and family

Tell people what you collect. Seriously. Your aunt may have a box of CDs in the closet. Your parents may still have VHS tapes in the garage. A friend may have switched entirely to streaming and have a shelf full of DVDs they haven’t touched in a decade.

People who know you’re building a collection may be happy to give you media they were planning to donate anyway. Be specific about what you collect so you don’t accidentally become everyone’s free disposal service. You want a movie collection, not 400 random DVDs nobody else wanted.

10. Local giveaway groups

Check neighborhood giveaway groups and online communities where people offer unwanted belongings for free. People may find it hard to sell physical media individually because the value of common titles can be relatively low. Giving away an entire box can be easier.

Watch for posts offering:

• Boxes of books
• DVD collections
• CDs
• Records
• VHS tapes
• Children’s books
• Video games

If you’re taking a large collection, find out whether you need to take everything. You can always pass unwanted items along if that’s part of the arrangement, but don’t bring home several boxes without a plan for them.

11. Local online marketplaces

Local marketplaces can be great for buying collections in bulk. Search terms such as “DVD lot,” “CD collection,” “book lot,” or “record collection” may turn up sellers who want to get rid of many items at once. Buying locally can also eliminate shipping costs.

Ask for clear photos before making the trip, particularly if you’re buying a large lot. Zoom in and see how many titles you actually want. A box of 100 DVDs isn’t a bargain if you only want three of them.

12. Online resale marketplaces

Online marketplaces give you access to a much larger selection than you’ll find locally.

They’re particularly useful when you’re searching for:

• A specific title
• A particular edition
• An out-of-print release
• A box set
• An unusual format
• A replacement for a damaged item

Compare the total cost, including shipping. A $3 DVD with $7 shipping is a $10 DVD. Also look closely at the seller’s description and photos so you know whether the case, artwork, inserts, or other components are included.

13. Online collector marketplaces

If you’re looking for something more specific than “I want some records,” try marketplaces that cater to collectors. Specialized sites may make it easier to search by pressing, release, edition, format, year, region, or other details.

These can be particularly helpful when different versions of the same album, movie, game, or book matter to you. You’ll probably spend more time comparing listings, but that’s part of collecting.

14. Used media stores

Some stores specialize in buying and reselling entertainment media.

Depending on the store, you may find used:

• Movies
• Music
• Games
• Books
• Consoles
• Collectibles

These stores can be easier to browse than thrift shops because media is typically organized by format and category. They may also test certain items before selling them. If the store offers trade-ins, bring media you no longer want and put the credit toward something you do.

15. Comic book and game stores

Comic and game stores can be useful if your definition of physical media extends beyond movies and music.

You may find:

• Comics
• Graphic novels
• Manga
• Tabletop games
• Role-playing books
• Video games
• Strategy guides
• Art books
• Collector editions

Some stores also carry used inventory or host trade events. Ask about upcoming sales if you’re trying to build a collection on a budget.

16. Book fairs, record fairs, and collector shows

Specialty fairs bring a large number of sellers together around a particular type of media.

Depending on your interests, look for:

• Book fairs
• Record fairs
• Comic conventions
• Retro gaming events
• Collector shows
• Media swap events

These events can be useful when you’re hunting for harder-to-find items because the sellers already know what collectors are looking for. The downside is that prices may reflect that knowledge. Set a budget before you go so enthusiasm doesn’t take over.

17. Moving and downsizing sales

Watch for moving sales advertised in your area. Moving can motivate people to get serious about decluttering. Books and physical media are heavy, so people often don’t want to pack, haul, or pay movers to transport them. If you see shelves full of media, ask whether the seller is willing to offer a bulk price.

18. Your own home

Before buying another copy of a favorite movie or book, make sure you don’t already own it.

Check:

• Closets
• Attics
• Basements
• Garages
• Storage bins
• Boxes from previous moves
• Your childhood bedroom
• Family storage areas

You may rediscover things you’ve forgotten you owned. This is also a good time to gather your physical media into one place and figure out what your collection actually contains.

Physical media FAQ

Where can you find cheap physical media?

Thrift stores, garage sales, library sales, estate sales, flea markets, moving sales, and local online marketplaces can be good places to find inexpensive books, movies, music, games, and other physical media.

Where can you buy used DVDs and Blu-rays?

Look at thrift stores, used media stores, garage and estate sales, flea markets, local marketplaces, and online resale sites. Used bookstores and record stores may also carry movies.

Where can you find used vinyl records?

Record stores, thrift stores, estate sales, flea markets, garage sales, antique malls, record fairs, and online collector marketplaces are common places to look for used records.

Where can you find cheap used books?

Try library sales, thrift stores, used bookstores, garage sales, estate sales, flea markets, and local giveaway groups. Friends and family may also have books they’re ready to pass along.

Is physical media worth collecting?

It can be, if you enjoy owning, displaying, watching, reading, listening to, or playing what you collect. Physical media can also give you access to particular editions or titles that may not always be available through subscription services.