I LOVED it in the 1980s & 90s. If you wanted to feel seedy in college, it was an entire experience. You had to figure out the safest places to go, every visit meant new discovery; you met or dealt with people similar - or every different - to you.
The magazines offered some mystery - I didn't get to know the models or producers personally. It was another, better world where my fantasies really could happen. Per videos, financially, we got more content (including some plot, with a few people who could act; some of the models have been in The Mask, Roadhouse, a couple of James Cameron films, Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama, Dancing With The Stars, commercials, etc.) for the money. An hour VHS tape sold for $50 or so is about the same or cheaper than many Clips4Sale videos (and the VHS' came with long previews.)
Then there were the in-persons store & club appearances. To this day I wish I kept my tickling magazine signed by Sunset Thomas.
I love the convivence of digital media now, the variety of subjects & activities, & the ability of customs (if you have the $$.) but searching, clicking & money taken from your card or bank, has about the same feeling as hunting deer online.