posted on January 16, 2001 06:46:16 PM
I was looking at an auction for a case of cd's and it said that all of the cd's were "cut-outs". I've seen this term before, and was wondering if anyone here knows what it means?
posted on January 16, 2001 07:03:29 PM
Cut-outs are overstocks, discontinued, promo, or otherwise not for regular retail sale. Nothing is wrong with the CD, so don't worry about that.
These items literally have a hole punched through the case and bar code, hence the name "cut-out."
Originally, the corner of the cardboard LP cover was clipped or punched and was called cut-out!
posted on January 16, 2001 07:07:03 PM
"Cut-outs" are usually just that, CD's that have been discontinued, cut out as it were, of the catalog.
It happens that many of the big 6 music labels also actually do "cut out" a huge 1/4" notch in the spine of the jewel box. Some do it terribly, with bits of plastic all over the inside, especially if it was shrink wrapped when they did it.
Another use of this stupid way of making sure nobody passes the cd off as new is to mark promotional copies this way. These are the copies that go to radio stations, retailers for in-store play etc.
Other music companies just punch holes or black out the bar code, or the liner notes. Some stamp "demo" or slap stickers that say "not for resale". Sometimes these items are not even shrinkwrapped.
So be very precise in your investigation of this lot, especially since, if they are "cut out", they were hard to sell in the first place and won't bring much on eBay. Look at completed cd auctions, search under title and descriptions that say "cutout, cut-out" etc. Good luck!
