Wow and I thought that I was a music addict
Music is my only vice, I do not drink, smoke or gamble.
I was stupid enough to sell 500 CD's around the mid to late 1990's.
Now my collection is around 2500, plus vinyls.
But like Brent said, back in those pre-internet days, there were no samples, just reviews to rely on.
I bought many duds, but not anymore, although I have a handful of bands that I will buy blindly (Moonsorrow, Nightwish, Dark Tranquillity and Amorphis)