Michael Jackson Albums: What are they Worth?

Reported by: John Matarese

UPDATED 7/7/09

A few weeks ago, Michael Jackson albums and CD's sat untouched in thousands of homes...or in the 99 cent bin at used music stores.

Now, with the world's attention focused on the Memorial Service at LA's Staples Center, and fans still hungering for any bit of news about what lead to his death, local music stores say they can't keep Michael Jackson merchandise in stock.

Fans Flock to Music Stores

Music stores like Everybody's Records became a temporary gathering spot for Michael Jackson fans after his death. Most were looking for music, memorabilia, or just memories of a musician they loved.

Holly Dehner says "I don't even think loss is enough of a word for me. Someone said on the radio the world has stopped turning, and that's how it feels."

Manager Woody Dorsey was thrilled to be able to sell Holly his last vinyl copy of Thriller for $10.

Dorsey told me "Already by the time the news got out we were wiped out. The first lady was in tears, just crying over it, and then bought all the CDs we had." 

As a result, within days the Michael Jackson CD bin was empty. And more than a week after his death, most stores remain sold out, or are very low on, Jackson CD's....which are now topping Amazon's best seller charts.

What's it Worth Now?

Holly Dehner was extremely lucky to get Thriller for $10. The same used vinyl album is selling on eBay for $50 - $150 ...with unopened copies going for $600, if the shrink wrap was still sealed over the album.

Of course, with more than 50 million copies of Thriller sold, many of us still have it....somewhere.  A lot of former fans are now asking Mom and Dad if they know what happened to their old Jackson albums.

Why Your Copy of Thriller Won't Pay the College Bills

Woody Dorsey says while album prices have spiked in recent days, he expects them to come down in the coming weeks, especially once the hype over the funeral and Memorial service dies down.

Dorsey says there are simply too many copies of Thriller, Off the Wall, and Bad out there to make any of them valuable collectibles, unless they are rare editions.  For one to stand out, and be worth hundreds of dollars, he says it needs to be:

• Rare, such as a Picture Disc or limited Import version ($100 or more)
• Perfect condition, still in the unopened shrink wrap ($500 or more)
• Autographed by Jackson himself  (These can be worth $5,000 or more)

Desperately want a Michael Jackson LP?  Dorsey's advice: wait a while.  Want a CD but can't find one in stock?  Within weeks, record companies will start reprinting and reshipping millions more to stores.  Don't overpay.

As always, don't waste your money. I'm John Matarese.