Why do people buy downloads?

[Giro413]

Just wondering what the incentives are for people to buy downloads. From what I gather there is no advantage in downloading rather than streaming (unless you have a poor internet connection). Is that not so? And does that mean that the main reason to pay money for a downloadable file of an album is because you want to actually own the digital file? I am not implying that there is anything wrong with that. Just curious if I am missing something here. I use Qobuz for streaming with my Wiim Pro Plus and buy the vinyl if I want to own a copy of an album (I do believe that vinyl still sounds the best, so there is my incentive for doing that). I also have a bunch of downloadable album codes laying around (from my vinyl purchases) but have never used one, as I am not sure why I would when I can stream the same file more easily.

 

[Brantome]

Ownership and offline playback I'd guess. You still have it if the streaming service folds or no longer has the rights to stream it.

 

[d6jg]

The “ownership” of a digital file that you have paid for and downloaded is still open to question. In most countries you cannot transfer the title to it as you only have a legal right to keep it and listen to it,

 

[d6jg]

To sell a downloaded music file is for me the same nonsense than to sell or buy a "used" software. I wanna "have" the music, not a thing to trade

I was referring to the fact that you can’t leave it to your Grandchildren for example

 

[Giro413]

The “ownership” of a digital file that you have paid for and downloaded is still open to question. In most countries you cannot transfer the title to it as you only have a legal right to keep it and listen to it,

Interesting point. I will stick to my vinyls when I want to purchase an album. Those will be more interesting for my grand kids to take out and look at in bewilderment, when the time comes.

 

[CrystalGipsy]

More money goes to the artists I like. Streaming services loose rights to stream artists regularly. Owning my own allows me to chose the version I want to listen to not some crappy remaster, a format I don’t want etc. I can listen to it when I have no internet and on more devices. I can curate it in a way that means something to me. I don’t have to deal with the crappy suggestions all streaming services throw down your throat nor all the noise they have in their apps.

I use streaming services for discovery only, if I like it I buy it either as cd or a download.