Records, instruments
Records in good shape are worth a trip: CD Cellar in Falls Church pays cash or 30 percent more in credit, Second Story pays credit, and the DC record shops buy collections if you call ahead. Instruments have a charity that takes anything in any condition, Hungry for Music, which repairs them and gives them to kids; for cash, Atomic Music in Beltsville buys outright and Reverb gets you about 90 percent if you'll ship. Pianos are a separate problem this guide doesn't solve yet.
Last verified October 2026
Updated Friday, October 30, 2026 · real listings, pulled from 130+ sources and reviewed by a person.
Charity · 2
Any instrument in any condition. The catch: Pianos not addressed — ask.
free · Arranged after the form · varies · Goes to a person · Last verified October 2026
- Booking
- Fill out the form; they reply within 24–48 hours with a drop-off spot or a volunteer pickup, or ask you to ship it (shipping reimbursed)
Typically playable band/orchestra instruments only; no pianos.
free · You bring it · contact first · Goes to a person · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- Levine: 2801 Upton St NW (main campus); DCYOP: Eastern HS, 1700 East Capitol St NE
- When
- By arrangement
Give it away · 1
Post a photo, flaws, dimensions; "porch pickup, first to grab" works best; expect no-shows.
free · Not stated · hours–days · Goes to a person · Last verified October 2026
Sell it to a store · 11
Atomic Music
★ 4.8 on Google (975)30+ years, buys used guitars/amps/drums outright at volume (Nov 2024 trade profile).
none · You bring it · immediate · Resold · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 11011 Baltimore Ave, Suite 2, Beltsville, MD 20705 Map
- When
- Mon–Sat 12–6pm, Sun 12–5pm
Best for textbooks and recent nonfiction; mass-market fiction usually quotes $0.
none · They come to you · mail-in 1–2 weeks · Resold · Last verified October 2026
- Booking
- 24/7 quote by ISBN; prepaid shipping label
Sells used vinyl; does not advertise public buying — call before hauling a crate.
none · You bring it · immediate · Resold · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 1264 5th St NE, Washington DC 20002 Map
- When
- Tue–Wed 12–7, Thu–Fri 12–8, Sat 11–8, Sun 11–7 (2020 — confirm)
CD Cellar
★ 4.8 on Google (638)Most reliable close-in buyer of CDs/LPs/DVDs; 2024 coverage confirms still buying and "fair appraisal" on collections.
none · You bring it · immediate · Resold · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 105 Park Ave, Falls Church VA 22046 Map
- When
- Mon–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 11am–6pm
Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center
★ 4.6 on Google (1557)Largest regional dealer; sells used gear on Reverb.
none · You bring it · immediate · Resold · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 11151 Veirs Mill Rd, Wheaton MD 20902 (verify) Map
- When
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sunday: Closed
Photo ID required; rejects First Act/no-name imports, broken gear, items under $20.
none · You bring it · immediate · Resold · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 6263 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church VA 22044 (verify) Map
- When
- store hours; walk-in, 30–45 min
Primarily lessons/rentals/repairs; no used-gear buying policy published.
none · You bring it · n/a · Not stated · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 4530 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC 20016 Map
- When
- Mon–Thu 11–7, Fri–Sat 11–6, Sun 12–5
Second Story Books – Dupont Circle
★ 4.6 on Google (946)50-item limit per visit.
none · They come to you · immediate · Resold · Last verified October 2026
- Drop-off
- 2000 P St NW, Washington DC 20036 Map
- When
- Store daily 10–8; BUYERS daily 12–2pm only
Second Story Books – Rockville warehouse
★ 4.6 on Google (226)Best route for big collections (photos → appointment).
none · They come to you · immediate · Resold · Last verified October 2026
- Drop-off
- 12160 Parklawn Dr, Rockville MD 20852 Map
- When
- Walk-in buying Mon–Fri 10–12, Sat–Sun 11–2; closed federal holidays; 10 sellers/day cap, call ahead to hold a slot
none · You bring it · immediate · Resold · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 2314 18th St NW, 2nd fl, Washington DC 20009 Map
- When
- Mon–Thu 12–9, Fri 12–10, Sat 11–10, Sun 12–7 (2014 — confirm)
Owner Neal Becton is a known collection buyer (jazz, soul, world, go-go) but buying terms were not confirmed; site fetch blocked.
none · You bring it · immediate · Resold · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 1843 14th St NW, Washington DC 20009 Map
- When
- Mon–Sat 12–7pm, Sun 12–6pm
Who refuses records, instruments
- A Wider Circle — Refuses anything stored in attic/basement/garage/storage unit (mold risk); headboards without a full bed; entertainment centers, china cabinets, armoires; disassembled items unless wood with all screws bundled; anything needing repair; hospital beds; large office furniture; pianos/instruments; large appliances; exercise/sporting goods; wine/bar items; ceiling fans; aquariums; DVDs; CRT TVs over 30"; adult/YA books; tools, sewing machines, building materials; window treatments; computers; outdoor furniture; casual/maternity/undergarment clothing; fine china; knick-knacks.
- SOME —
- Best Buy Columbia Heights —
Other things to get rid of
Baby and kids' gear · Batteries, bulbs · Bike · Books · Clothes, shoes, linens · Computer, tablet · Doors, tile, lumber · Fridge, stove, AC · Mattress · Medication · Paint, chemicals · Papers to shred · Phone · Sofa, chairs, table, dresser · Sports gear · Toys · TV