After 71 years in operation, a popular mail-order club known for its offer of 12 CDs for a penny is closing down. Columbia House, which ceased music sales and Canadian operations in 2010, recently removed the closure announcement from its website. Music enthusiasts first noticed the notice over the weekend, stating that the club would no longer accept new orders after 9/15/26.
Founded in 1955 by Columbia Records as Columbia Record Club, the company aimed to reach consumers in areas without access to traditional record stores. Over the years, the mail-order business expanded to include cassettes, CDs, and eventually DVDs of movies and TV shows. Early customers were enticed by magazine and newspaper advertisements offering multiple music releases for a penny, with a commitment to purchase additional releases monthly.
Columbia House experienced significant success, shipping over a billion records and claiming 15% of CD sales by 1994. However, with the rise of online music options, the company’s revenue declined. In 2010, under new ownership by Direct Brands, Columbia House shifted its focus to DVD sales and ceased operations in Canada.
In 2015, the parent company of Columbia House filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. Although the company continued operating through DVD sales, it recently announced its closure. The news comes at a time when there is a resurgence in physical media, with vinyl sales seeing a notable increase in recent years.
Despite saying goodbye to Columbia House’s iconic music collection model in 2015, fans are now reminiscing about the company on social media. Many are sharing memories of their music collections built through Columbia House offers and joking about past unpaid fees. CBC News has attempted to reach out to Columbia House for further details following the removal of the closure announcement from its website.