I agree , each to their own, although it is a unfortunate that that downloading pays the artist so pitifully. Australian musician Deborah Conway said  that she only received $2,300 for two million Spotify plays of a Bruce Springsteen song she recorded.

She would have received much more  if it was for CD single sales. 

I didn't know you could buy records directly from the manufacturer? What sort of records were you able to buy?