Dear Pitchfork:
It's called
capitalism.
9 times out of 10 I'll shop at a mom and pop for knowledgable sales staff, better independent selection, a selection of print zines, books, etc.
but come on: Im expected to pay approx $4 extra USD per disc to support indies on each album I buy?
Indies and moms and pops stay competitive with the attributes listed above, and will continue to do so.
It doesn't mean Best Buy is trying or going to kill indies. As a mediavore, I aquire media wherever and however I can, and for the best price I can find.
Pitchfork can hardly accuse NP of not supporting the scene by occasionally picking up discs @ Best Buy.
If the indies want to compete, which they do and will continue to do so, they offer stuff you can't get at Best Buy. For an example, I will
always have a higher expenditure through
Twisted Village,
dischord.com,
insound.com,
dtmgallery.com, and
newbury comics than I will @ Best Buy or target or whatever, but am I going to pay over $45 USD for the Nirvana box set @ someplace like Newbury, or on the day of release @ Wal Mart for $25 USD? $65 USD for the latest Johnny cash or Miles Davis box or $99?
Doing my economic homework so I can get as much music as possible is not something Im gonna feel guilty or apologize for.
[sarcasm] Can't wait to start buying my Jandek, Peter Brotzmann and Feast whisperpants albums @ Best Buy
[/sarcasm]