CHESSNOID

When I was 12 years old, I had my first taste of credit. In the back of one of my comic books, I had the chance to get 8 records for a penny plus shipping and handling. I knew 1 cent was cheap. Even back in the 80’s, a penny was cheap. It was the first time I could be an individual and get music that I liked whether or not my brother or sisters liked it or not. The anticipation to see if I would actually get these records was exciting. I would go to the mailbox and check to see if I had goodies. That is what I like to call goodies. I reeaaalllly like getting goodies in the mail. They feel like presents to myself. Hee hee. Anyways, I got my records and wow! I was happy. I listened to them and thought it was the greatest thing. The hardest thing was figuring out how I was going to pay for these goodies. I had a savings account, but no checking account. I consulted with my mom and she of course knew the answer. I gave her the money and she sent a check for me. Of course, even though I was only 12 I was no sucker. I bought the obligatory 2 more records and canceled my membership. HA HA! I saved all that money from what I would have spent at the record store who no one wanted to drive me to anyways. Then a couple of months later, I got a letter from the President of Columbia house. Uh oh, I must have missed something in the fine print. Open the letter and nope, the opposite is true. They appreciate my business and wanted me to join again. This time the offer was better. 10 for the price of one and free shipping without anything more to buy. YES!!! This time I chose the cassette tape options because some of those records were scratched.

Again, the magic of the post office 4-6 weeks later and Wooo hooo. Almost free music of the stuff I like. I got free shipping but they still charged me a handling fee, but even that added in I was getting these tapes for like 2 bucks a pop. I sure was a lucky kid. My mom was concerned but I told her I was cancelling and just wanted the free tapes. Yes, I canceled again, and 3-6 months later, the President wanted me back. This time I played it cool because I got all the music I needed for at least a year.

I have been doing this for years with them and have amassed a pretty good CD collection of excellent Jazz and World music. I did the same thing with BMG where I got the freebies and paid for the one obligatory CD and pow! canceled immediately. They would always want me back.

This is probably the cheapest way to accumulate music that you want to try. I know this has translated into my DVD rentals and my EBay buying binges. Mail is such a convenient way to buy and I still love getting goodies in the mail.