You're right about one thing...many people E Dig because they don't have to pay for it...
But for everything else, I dont agree..
For instance, there are no record stores where I live. There is an antique shop about 40 minutes away, but the average cost of their shit is at least $15 per record.. Including the gas to get there, I can't afford that. So I look at thrift stores...Now depending where you live, a thrift store can be a great resource for good material.. But where I live, I'm lucky if I find anything half interesting. Most shit is old Christmas albums, Albums about Jesus that you've heard millions of times, and Johnny Mathis..
Craigslist is a good source because you CAN find people locally that are selling decent records for decent prices, if you have the cash.
But places like ebay and Itunes, you need to pay electronically..not everyone has the means to do so.
So whats that leave us with....E DIGGING!!
For me, E Digging is the same as going to a record shop out of state...I can spend hours looking, reading, learning about music that is new to me. Whether I'm on the internet or in a record store, I personally am looking for something that can provide me with at least 2 things... 1. New music I've never heard of or heard before...and 2. Education.....about the music, band/artist, era..etc.
I find something on youtube..I google the artist and learn what I can..then I see what albums they have, what their best/worst was..their history, their musical influences...In a sense I connect to them..And if I like their music enough, I'll sample it lol