CDepot

CDepot is indeed closed — sort of. It has reopened as «Tunes» or something like that and looks much cleaner, brighter, more modern, and more organized. I don’t know what connection there is between the now-​defunct CDepot and the new Tunes, but I do know all the records at Tunes still have CDepot price stickers on them.

This place was once cheap/​discount oriented but those days are long gone due to internet piracy and legal mp3 dl-ing…both of which take huge bites out of your average brick and mortar music store’s profits.
For what its worth, once upon a time you could come in here and find a new or used CD for like 3,6,8 or 10 dollars. Now, its as expensive as anywhere else and actually more so at times then what those dweebs over at Record and Tape Traders sell.
Spent alot of time in this store during my college years but those days have long since gone. Why bother after all wasting gas money, time, and any spare money set aside for leisure interests when you can have instant gratification online in the comfort of your own home for less the price or even none if you get my drift.
Place pissed me off anyway with its return policies and weird staff. I think one time we were all randomly asked to leave the store so the clerk on duty could do a hit or toke of something in the back. He then let us back in after 10 minutes (WTF!!!)
Once it began spiking up the prices, I had enough.
The time of CD store apocalypse has just about come and hopefully it will take this lackluster place with it.
Bottom line: I’d feel sorry for ‘em but I don’t. So F-‘em and their crappy business practices.

Anyone who knows me outside of Unilocal knows that music is my hobby. Researching & listening to all types of music dissolves tension and relaxes my soul all the way down to my pinky toes. In today’s e-​world, I’ve gotten used to purchasing MP3s online but for the times Amazon fails me for songs I may have woke up singing or been holding a concert in the shower for? CDepot scratches that itch!
Although CDepot always has the latest releases, it still reminds me of an old school record store that you used to just stay in for large amounts of time just flipping through albums except replace albums with CDs (for my younger readers-​a store filled with those big cardboard squares that held large, black circular things called albums). This spot knows no boundaries when it comes to genres. I sometimes spend an hour plus browsing through the many stacks and tables, always managing to come across long forgotten faves in addition to the latest LPs. I’ve even seen the randomest of one hit wonders in CDepot’s stacks that I didn’t even know had a whole CD (and am quite puzzled as to why).
Prices? Ehh. I’d liken them Target with prices averaging $ 12.99-$ 14.99 (so cheap or discounted certainly aren’t words that come to mind). In fact, when it comes to prices on new releases, I’d prefer Best Buy based on their «première week» specials where you can buy a CD for $ 9.99 during the week of its première. Sadly, CDepot doesn’t offer many pricing specials although you may come across a reduced find here and there (which may be due to it being a pre-​owned/​traded copy).
All in all the place is therapeutic and a local gem. Oh, and they also have the latest DVDs and the customer service rocks both in person and on the phone. I know because I’ve called there many a time asking about CDs the masses have never heard of and usually I’m not disappointed! So if you’re in the area, make sure you check this spot out… dah what the hell, go’on make the trip just because.

CDs won’t be going out of style anytime soon, as long as I’m still buying them :)
This is pretty much the only place that I come to purchase anything music related. Why? It’s because I can count on this store to have it. Anything from Earth Wind & Fire to Jay-​Z, from Nas to the latest CD from Raheem Devaughn. I heard that the CDepot in College Park is bigger, but I won’t be driving an additional hour and 10 minutes when there’s one in Towson.
There is parking located on the side of Back 2 Basics gym, and CDepot is right next to the same gym on the other side. The parking lot is small, so I recommend making arrangements just in case this lot is filled up. CDepot also buys/​sells used CDs/​DVDs. Just like any other store that offers used music, make sure to look at the condition of the product FIRST. Don’t go home and complain about how the case has a crack when you explicitly saw it beforehand.
I haven’t had to ask for assistance from any of the employees that often, but when I do need help, the employees are usually willing to assist. I haven’t had any problems with this store in the couple of years I’ve been going (knock on wood), hence 5 stars.