In the long run, it can't be good. Wow says the bands are really the victims, not so much the stores. The bands are the ones that need the support. If they're not getting money, they won't put out records. But customer comments indicate that the trend has also benefited stores.
Patrons come in looking for CDs from bands they hear on the Net.
He discovered one of his favorite bands, Slipknot, on Napster. He says he can usually find one or two songs from a band, but not much more. I like the liner notes. Lee bought four CDs at Charlie's recently and is a regular customer at the store. He says he has dozens of MP3s but more than 500 CDs.