Author Topic: Physical goods vs. digital goods  (Read 1795 times)

MoneyGoatee

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Physical goods vs. digital goods
« on: June 17, 2019, 09:48:07 AM »
Would it be stating the obvious that mustachians tend to eschew physical goods for digital ones when it comes to things like books, movies, music, video games, and computer software since minimizing clutter and space is a big concern of a frugal lifestyle?  Many people still prefer physical goods for various reasons.  For instance, many books are still only available in print, and many movies are still only available on discs or even videotapes.  Some people don't have reliable internet connection to obtain digital goods.  Some people are wary of ownership issues and DRM issues of digital goods.  Etc.  But of course, the average person adopts digital goods mainly out of convenience (and sometimes cost).  My local library is in a very busy part of NYC and it has a DVD/Blu-ray section that is free to borrow, and yet the place is empty most of the time.  You know physical goods are in trouble when people don't want to use them even when they are free.

Khaetra

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Re: Physical goods vs. digital goods
« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2019, 10:22:50 AM »
Books I go half and half.  If it's available digital and cheaper, then I go that route.  If it cheaper for paperback, I do that instead.

Movies, I don't buy those anymore.  I will either watch it when it becomes available on Amazon/HBO/Starz/etc. or in the case of Marvel (thanks Disney) I'll buy it PPV.

Video games...it depends.  Sometimes digital is cheaper, sometimes physical is cheaper.  I usually buy all my games during the holidays so whoever has the best deal for the game I want is where I buy it.

ketchup

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Re: Physical goods vs. digital goods
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2019, 12:38:47 PM »
Books I usually either get from the library or buy super cheap used and give away later unless it's something I'll legitimately reference later.  I don't have a Kindle or similar.

Movies/TV I've completely stopped "buying" and will only either "rent" (library or Amazon) or watch on a streaming service (Netflix, HBO, etc.).

Music these days for me is just Pandora with the very occasional digital DRM-free purchase.  No reason to go physical as long as you keep track of your data like any sane individual in 2019.

PC games/software absolutely are digital-only.  DRM tends to be a mess with that stuff, and physical media has none of the upsides it might in another scenario like...

Non-PC video games I'll always go physical unless I have a good reason to go digital.  A physical copy will always "just work" popping it into the system, and can be bought and sold used.  Used copies (does not apply to crappy or "trendy this week" games) of good video games tend to be basically stagnant in value, so if you buy right and resell later you can almost always break even.  Even new games this can apply to if you buy something people will actually still want in 10 years (I bought The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker for $49.99 in 2003 and sold it on eBay in 2013 for $52).

Just Joe

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Re: Physical goods vs. digital goods
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2019, 03:24:32 PM »
When I buy physical media I get my use out of it. When I'm done with it, I'm pleased to donate it to the library. Unfortunately our smallish library has limited shelf space so only the popular things stick around long term. Books too.

MoneyGoatee

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Re: Physical goods vs. digital goods
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2019, 03:39:02 PM »
When I buy physical media I get my use out of it. When I'm done with it, I'm pleased to donate it to the library. Unfortunately our smallish library has limited shelf space so only the popular things stick around long term. Books too.

I fear the moment when people are so reluctant to use physical goods that you have a hard time giving them away.  The moment will come pretty soon.  I've been selling used DVDs on Amazon, and there has been noticeable drop in sales the last few years. 

Cranky

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Re: Physical goods vs. digital goods
« Reply #5 on: June 17, 2019, 03:55:05 PM »
I’m old enough and all out of kids that I’m trying to get rid of stuff. I don’t know that digital copies of entertainment always is cheaper than physical copies, though.