Were you a music lover in your teen years? Be aware, ’cause these cassette tapes can make you very rich!
Nowadays, our generation can’t fully understand our struggle to get the freshest album from our favorite band. Whoever had the privilege to put their hands on a cassette tape was a rich man. In the digital age, where everything is just a click away, stuff like CDs, VHS tapes, and cassette tapes can be worth quite a lot.
You probably don’t know, but, for example, a Linkin Park demo tape that was self-released and named Xero (under the band’s original name) sold for around $4500, making it one of the most popular.
Now, don’t worry if you don’t own this little mine of gold, because there are plenty of other cassette tapes that value a fortune as well. In the following lines, we will see which are those:
1. Madonna – Madonna (1983)
“You must be my lucky star /’Cause you shine on me” There goes the lyrics to the first song from the self-titled album, Madonna, and in this case, if you have this cassette tape in your home, you may hit the jackpot.
Hit songs like “Lucky Star” and “Borderline” helped Madonna’s self-titled debut album spend 168 weeks on the Billboard charts, but it was the future Queen of Pop’s style that truly captured audiences’ attention.
Teens of that era were influenced by the Desperately Seeking Susan actress, who had excessively teased hair, mesh knit tank tops, black lace gloves, and bangles. They couldn’t help but imitate her style, and secretly, I know you did that too!
Later, in 1985, this specific record was reissued under the name Madonna: The First Record. But you might be able to make between $250 and $350 on eBay if you manage to get any of the foreign editions of the unopened 1983 cassette tape. Depending on how well you preserved it, you can earn anywhere somewhere $30 to $65 with a secondhand one!
2. Metallica – Ride the Lightning (1984)
Honestly, I don’t know a single person who doesn’t like at least one song from Metallica. They’re catchy, rough, but also melodic, and very original for their time. Even today, they manage to sell out shows in huge places like stadiums.
It’s regarded as one of their greatest albums and included hits like “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “Creeping Death.” It’s also noteworthy for being the first to have lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and the final album to feature Dave Mustaine, who would later establish Megadeth.
If, by any chance, you find this album somewhere forgotten in your attic and it is sealed, sheesh! You can score around $1000 on eBay. Surprisingly, secondhand copies may get as much as $150 on the market.
3. Beastie Boys – Licensed to Ill (1986)
If you loved Beastie Boys back in the day and you also bought Licensed to III, man! you will definitely hit the jackpot in 2024 because this album is among the best-selling cassette tapes. This is their debut album, which debuted in 1987 and, with any luck, became the first hip-hop record to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. After selling 10 million copies in the United States, it received the status of diamond in 2015—a milestone not achieved by any other hip-hop record from the 1980s.
Check out that tucked-away box in your attic and see if you have it in your collection. An unsealed version of this cassette tape can be sold for $1500 on eBay. If you have copies that are used, expect somewhere around $40.
4. Depeche Mode – Violator (1990)
“Reach out, touch faith!” Such a delightful song, but what an extraordinary band! I hope you managed to attend one of their concerts because their performances are truly exceptional. Their music is also pure bliss; that’s why most copies of the Violator album released in 1990 were sold for thousands of dollars.
If you have it on your cassette tapes and want to sell it, you can definitely score up to $1,355 on eBay. So, go ahead and make some money! Even if people don’t own a boombox anymore, old cassette tapes are something to treasure. Especially if it’s one of the best albums from Depeche Mode!
5. Nirvana – Nevermind (1991)
May God bless the soul of Kurt Cobain, because his entire legacy is breathtaking. Even if Nirvana may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there are still a lot of fans in today’s world. Fans who are highly interested in buying old cassette tapes from people who still have them in good condition.
Full of hits like Smells Like Teen Spirit, Come as You Are, and Breed, Nevermind became the number one album on the Billboard 200. If, by any chance, you still have it in your collection, sealed, it may bring you the formidable sum of $1500 if you decide to sell it on eBay. If you already broke the seal, people will still be interested in buying it from you for less, somewhere around $100, depending on how good you’re at negotiating.
6. Pearl Jam – Ten (1991)
We’re on a roll with the same genre, but apparently, Pearl Jam’s album Ten from 1991 rocked the house for generations, and they still have their devoted fans in 2024. Along with selling over 15 million copies, it was the band’s most commercially successful album. Hits like “Even Flow” and “Jeremy,” the latter of which had an MTV music video that was often aired, were also featured on it.
On eBay, a sealed original printing of Ten on cassette tape may get up to $4000. A secondhand copy often sells for approximately $20, although some have sold for less yet are still valued between $400 and $700, which I say is pretty good!
Did you suddenly become so nostalgic that you felt the urgent need to buy a new Walkman to re-listen to your favorite cassette tapes before parting ways? Then you’re going to love this Walkman cassette player recorder, which also has a radio and is portable and easy to carry around. It’s available on Amazon for the amazing price of $32.99.
7. Korn – Korn (1993)
Although not everyone likes Korn’s music, they do have a dedicated fanbase. After forming in California in 1993, the group recorded a self-titled demo that included many takes on the songs Daddy, Blind, and Predictable.
A couple of cassette tapes with this album were sold for an astounding $674, demonstrating how popular their music is even nowadays.
8. Alanis Morissette – Jagged Little Pill (1995)
“It’s like rain on your wedding day/ It’s a free ride when you’ve already paid.” Do you remember these lyrics? This sweetheart, Alanis Morissette, made our days brighter when the song Ironic hit radio stations worldwide. We can agree that the 90s wasn’t a decade; it was an emotion! And all the ’90s kids can agree with me on this.
Jagged Little Pill was her third studio album, released in 1995, and it sold 33 million copies or more, making it one of the best-selling albums. Consider yourself lucky if you still own the original sealed copy of Jagged Little Pill on eBay because it can be easily sold on eBay for $600. Not sealed? It may be sold for a reasonable $10.
If you’re ready to turn your cassette tapes into valuable cash but don’t know where it’s best to sell them besides eBay, try Amazon, social media groups, or organize a yard sale right in front of your property.
Furthermore, you should also know that a lot of record stores are also buying vinyl or cassette tapes that are in good condition. The benefit of using this strategy is that you can deliver them in-store and avoid having to send them out, even if it might not be as profitable as selling them online.
That’s it, guys! See you next time!
…psst! Are you new around? It’s good to have you! If you enjoyed the article about cassette tapes and you’re thirsty for more, I have a suggestion for you: Online Shopping? Here’s What Frugal People Always Do To Get the Best Deals
