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Where to Buy CDs

1. You need a fair amount of patience. I like flipping through the racks at record stores. I haven't visited a site that gives even the least sense of the pleasure of browsing. This is not to say that there aren't benefits to online stores, but it isn't as much fun as being in a good, real store.
2. You need to make use of the site's 'Notify me when this is available' feature, if it has one. Ebay and Half work quite well.
3. You can save a little money by becoming an affiliate of a vendor. Amazon, B&N and others have programs whereby you get a cut of whatever someone spends at the vendor's site if you've directed the purchaser. This usually amounts to 4-7% of the pretax, preshipping total. Even if no-one uses your link to the vendor, there's no stopping you from using it yourself. Every little bit helps.

CD Roots

This is a really cool store, connected to Rootsworld, a world music email newsletter. It tends to stock CDs from labels that are otherwise unavailable in North America. At this time, I have neither bought from this vendor, nor do I get a 'kickback' on sales directed there. However, I have dealt with the vendor regarding my Rootsworld subscription and have never had any problem that wasn't fixed right away.

Yes there's always Amazon. It's got a lot of 'inventory' , it's reliable, and shipping is free if you buy enough, but it isn't the cheapest vendor.

This is a new/used store that's apparently a bunch of independent stores that have banded together to have a web presence. They have decent stock, the prices seem to be ok, they have a lot of sales. Like most online stores, you can't tell what they actually have in stock unless you look for individual items. No simulation of paging through the bins that you do in a non-virtual store. I've purchased several items and they've been efficient and reliable. You can create a list so that you can be notified when something you wants is in stock either as used or as new. This works pretty well. The only wrinkle has been that sometimes I've ordered an item only to get a notification that the item had already been purchased by someone else. I was lucky enough to win one of their contests--"Win CDs for Life".

Used CD stores

Now that online vendors have pretty well eliminated coupons, your local record store may be starting to look like a good place to buy CDs again. On the web, as in the real world, used CD stores are where bargains can be found (sometimes).

eBay really is a pretty good place to get stuff. Just be sure to check out the feedback ratings of prospective vendors, how they want you to pay and how much shipping is. If eBay makes you uncomfortable, then maybe you'd prefer one of the used places. The problem with used CD stores is that they're often built on the model of a real record store. They often claim an incredible inventory, but it's an inventory of stuff they might have in stock someday, maybe. You end up having to go through a zillion screens before actually finding something in stock, which you probably already have or don't want. The search engines either let you specify "in stock" or "used" but not "genre" or vice-versa. It's pretty frustrating, but if you set up an account and spend a lot of time paging through the catalogue clicking "notify me when a copy is available" you might get lucky some day. I've had good luck with Half.com which is now owned by eBay.

Record Clubs

If you go by the inserts in Rolling Stone, the New Yorker or whatever, you wouldn't think that the record clubs were a good source for World Music. And you'd be pretty close to correct. However, they are somewhat better than the inserts might suggest, particularly if you don't have much in the way of world music already, but my impression is that they've been growing steadily worse in what they offer, unless you're interested in music in Spanish, which seems to be a genre that's booming. There are a lot of ways to maximize what you get out of record clubs. The basics you need to know are:

1. The best type of deal is 12, 14 or 15 for 1, with no further commitment. Both clubs offer this, but you'll have to look harder for Columbia House's version. BMG's online offer matches this, but Columbia House's online offer is not as good. If you know someone who's a member, let them give you the subscription form. They'll get some CDs in the deal.
2. You aren't limited to what's on the insert. Visit either of the club's web sites to find a reasonably complete catalog. This is an important point with regard to item 1 above. I've only seen the 12-for-1 deal on Columbia House's Classical club, but you aren't restricted to buying classical music. I've compiled a lists of recommended items for both BMG and Columbia House.
3. Never let the club send you at item in the monthly mailing. Each club offers 3 for one deals, which are about the best you can do amongst the myriad of pricing schemes you'll see from month to month. Simply refuse the offer, either by sending in the card, via the web or an 800 number, until you get the 3-for-1 deal.
4. Shipping and handling is not cheap. Redeem all your free CD coupons at the same time.

There used to be a cd clubs FAQ on the internet with more hints, analyses of the cost per CD of the various offers, etc. I haven't seen it in a while, but it may still exist. Try googling for it.