If going back to the original question.
I like buying things in store over the internet as I like customer service, I respond to a hands on approach better. If someone is explaining something to me in person I understand it far better than reading it in an email.
I like interaction, and physical side of holding and testing an objet I'm going to buy.
I see the increased price in shops as a service fee for this benefit. One I have no problem paying for generally.
I do think it's unethical to use a shop assistant's time, with the intention of buying somewhere else. Unless you are honest and tell them you're not interested in buying from them, then it's okay. If you just want to see the object, then when the shop assistant asks if he can help you say, 'I'm just looking'. That way you're not imposing on their time, and buy extension paycheck.
However niece items not commonly available I'll buy on the internet to save the hassle of searching for a store.
As far as illegal music downloads go. I used to download my music illegally, as I couldn't afford c.d's an wanted music. I blindly did this without thinking about the ethics.
Then one day I thought about it, and realized it was wrong (based on my own ethics). I think there's a major contradiction is claiming you're a fan of an artist, etc, while simultaneously stealing their music.
I don't care whether the recording industry is silly, etc. I based my decision on the artist.
I also made a change though, because I wanted the physical C.D's. I may be a dying breed, but I far prefer having a physical copy of something I can hold and cherish, than just a list on a computer screen. I like my C.D. rack that's against the wall displaying my collection.
I can then also burn it to the computer for the digital copy. If I'm paying for music, I don't mind paying a little bit more than say iTunes, to actually have a physical copy.
Even when movies, and music downloaded through the internet are as good quality (or for the sake of the conversation, even better) than the physical media, I'll still buy the object physically because I like actually owning something I can touch and cherish.
Maybe I'm just a bit old fashioned (I'm 19 BTW)
And to the people who say it's ludicrous an artist gets payments 70 years after recording a song, I think of it as like a patent. The person who initially took out the patent, still gets payments years afterwards as people use his idea.
The music industry is changing, and I'm increasingly becoming in the minority as far as my ideals go. It think the future will maybe be (although I'm no expert), the artist gets little for the CD/ recording, but makes most of their money through touring and doing concerts. All the internet and virtual media in the world won't impose of concerts and other live events.
