Iconic Company Bids Fond Farewell After More Than 70 Years

It’s the end of an era for a once beloved mail-order music company. Columbia House, the home of “12 CDs for a penny,” will stop taking orders as of September 15, 2026, per multiple news sources. The company began in 1955 when Columbia Records, owned by CBS, launched Columbia Record Club to see if mail-order music worked as well as traditional record stores. Fans fell in love, and millions of subscribers used the service monthly. But the days of physical media waned, and Columbia House is no longer what it used to be.

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Lots of people took to social media to share their Columbia House memories.

“Turns out Columbia House was quietly still mailing out movies and music in 2026, which is honestly the most surprising plot twist all week. Here’s how a penny postcard managed to build an empire,” a fan shared on X.

“Well, there’s one more thing I have to answer for on Judgement Day! Great! Lord, please forgive me for being a little thief and personally bankrupting Columbia House with one penny, twelve cassette tapes, a fake sense of financial independence, and absolutely no intention of fulfilling my membership obligation. Amen,” someone joked.

This person remembers the brand fondly. “Too funny. I actually have a t shirt that says, I still owe money to Columbia House.’ Some lady asked me what it meant last week at the Guess Who concert,” they shared.

Others want to be sure they’re in the clear. “Didn’t know it still existed!!! So…are they going after those that still owe? Asking for a friend,” a message joked.

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