Best Option To Liquidate CD Collection

Serious question...what is the law concerning resale of used CDs by record shops and websites such as Agon and Amazon. Is it the honor system, such as it's assumed that the original owner has not kept a copy for himself.

The system relies upon people acting in good faith. There is no enforcement effort so there is no penalty for abusing the system.

If you found a wallet (with cash and credit cards) on the street, would you try to contact the owner and return it, or would you pocket the cash and try to buy a flat screen with the credit card? Most people would try to return the wallet, but some wouldn't. It's knowing the difference between right and wrong and acting accordingly.

Lowrider57, first the disclaimer...I'm no expert with respect to the legal system. Now for my opinion... I don't think that the law has any additional or specific provision with respect to businesses that sell used material. I think the intent and the content of the law deals specifically with unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted material regardless of where it takes place. That being said, I'm sure every business will have to assume that no unauthorized copies have been made. But, as Onhwy61 pointed out, that assumption is completely false in a case such as this where a member publicly asks for help in what would appear to be a clear intent to violate the copyright law.

Lowrider57,

Is it the honor system, such as it's assumed that the original owner has not kept a copy for himself

It does not and cannot happen in real world(Earth). You can't control seller from copying material one wants to sell(and still want to listen). One who just want to listen to music has a right to be happy with burned CD or recorded cassette for PERSONAL use. That is considred to be legal anywhere you go. The reason I started selling records was not for profit, but to listen to lots of music and almost free. I would pick up the record, record it onto cassette and kept the record till I wanted to purchase different one playing just a cassette after the record was opened and recorded. Occasionally I managed to profit and save funds for more new music.
I did not grow up with wealthy parents so I had to keep my allowances tight-tight. Slowly-slowly I became popular at street lots and started selling records for profit realizing that I'm making my living.

Wait to you die, that way your estate will inherit the problem, or will them to one of your grandchildren.