When it comes to purchasing music CD's from eBay sellers, I have run into a disappointment that I thought I might share my learning experience.  What I encountered, was that I spent nearly $20 for a CD that was said to be remastered.  However, it was NOT done professionally.  The recording wasn't the best, and I could have done better myself when I saw the labels. 

But it was plain and simple: "pirating for profit".

 

If "new" is what you are after, be sure to take note that it is "new", "in original packaging", and "factory sealed".  You should be able to see the factory seal in the photo.  Watch for the ones that just simply say, "in new packaging", because they could be sold by a store selling out, and actually be used.

 

Another important thing to watch out for, is when you're looking for music CD's that are from an older era, before the digital age.  CD's were non existent on the market before the early 1980's.  Take that into consideration when buying "brand new in package".  For one thing, they would have to be "digitally remastered" to be burned to a CD from vinyl or cassette. 

I didn't realize that the word "remastered" implies more specifications with it.  Remastered by who?  Did the original recording company remaster it?  Did another company buy the rights to digitally remaster it?  Is it an original in the factory sealed cello wrap with the signature seal on it?  Not every piece of older music can legally be found on CD's today.  It was a learning lesson for me.  The original recording tapes should have been used to artistically master it onto a compact disc, and only the recording studio holds the rights to allow that.

 

Here is what it says on a legal copy of a CD:

Simon & Garfunkel-Sounds of Silence  (It was originally recorded in the 1960's on LP)

"Manufactured by Columbia Records/CBS Inc./51 W. 52 Street, New York, NY/Columbia (*their trademark icon/logo) are trademarks of CBS Inc. except in Canada where they are trademarks of CBS Records Canada Ltd.  Printed in U.S.A./ Warning: All Rights Reserved.  Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws."

An insert came with it as well for their other album called "Old Friends", which says:

"Digitally mastered using only the absolute original source tapes for the best possible sound, this deluxe box set features 59 tracks on 3 CDs or cassettes."  It goes on to say some other features about it, the discographical information, and includes the logos for the trademark & patent companies.

 

I feel that if someone is selling new, original remastered CD's that are legal, they would take the time to enter all the appropriate information on their selling page.  It's all on the outside of the case.  And when you open it, you will see the professional work on the CD itself, not a paper label.  Now with the new laser burners for the label side of CD's, there will be even more to watch out for.