Wrigley 13 was the proverbial straw that broke the camels back
Before the 2013 US tour, the last "real" US tour was in 2010, right? I remember going into the venue before the opening band and snagging a poster without issue.
Now, it's more like being there at 9am and praying. The Cincinnati 2014 line didn't seem terrible in comparison, but it was still probably about 2-3 hours...and that was due to only having one merch stand when other cities had multiple.
Presidential Advice from President-Elect Mike McCready: "Are you getting something out of this all encompassing trip?"
It’s been like this every tour for the last 15 years. Nothing new to see here.
This. On the 2000 tour getting a poster was not an issue. Ebay is the main reason that demand for posters has gotten out of hand. Everyone and their mother can make a quick buck. Same with tickets.
Wrigley 13 was the proverbial straw that broke the camels back
Before the 2013 US tour, the last "real" US tour was in 2010, right? I remember going into the venue before the opening band and snagging a poster without issue.
Now, it's more like being there at 9am and praying. The Cincinnati 2014 line didn't seem terrible in comparison, but it was still probably about 2-3 hours...and that was due to only having one merch stand when other cities had multiple.
At Cincy 2014 there was at least one merchant truck that was supposed to open but if I recall, it did not.
Wrigley 13 was the proverbial straw that broke the camels back
Before the 2013 US tour, the last "real" US tour was in 2010, right? I remember going into the venue before the opening band and snagging a poster without issue.
Now, it's more like being there at 9am and praying. The Cincinnati 2014 line didn't seem terrible in comparison, but it was still probably about 2-3 hours...and that was due to only having one merch stand when other cities had multiple.
At Cincy 2014 there was at least one merchant truck that was supposed to open but if I recall, it did not.
It wasn’t bad in cincy. If I remember correctly the biggest annoyance was people acting like they were “just looking at the merch” and then getting close enough to be able to order. Probably happens pretty often. Greenville though I was proud of how the lines were kept orderly
Pittsburgh 2013 Cincinnati 2014 Greenville 2016 (Raleigh 2016) Columbia 2016
This was the worst in 18 years of my fandom. I was the very first person that went into the arena after the early entry 10C GA folks. All posters, stickers and pins sold out. So the 15,000 non 10C GA fans had no chance for merchandise. Only 50 posters were sold outside. @Santos L. Halper@Rubysdad How about an explanation for a day of merch gone bad?
Wrigley 13 was the proverbial straw that broke the camels back
I remember rushing out of my office and traveling 30 minutes to Wrigley once we knew they opened up a day earlier than expected (two days before the show). I was still in line for an hour, limited posters/merch was available, but I'm so glad I didn't fight the 4+ hours of 90 degree heat like so many others. Now I usually check eBay on my phone before entering a merch line, and I save up a little more (or drink a little less) to offset the cost of getting my time/sanity back.
Wrigley 13 was the proverbial straw that broke the camels back
Before the 2013 US tour, the last "real" US tour was in 2010, right? I remember going into the venue before the opening band and snagging a poster without issue.
Now, it's more like being there at 9am and praying. The Cincinnati 2014 line didn't seem terrible in comparison, but it was still probably about 2-3 hours...and that was due to only having one merch stand when other cities had multiple.
At Cincy 2014 there was at least one merchant truck that was supposed to open but if I recall, it did not.
It wasn’t bad in cincy. If I remember correctly the biggest annoyance was people acting like they were “just looking at the merch” and then getting close enough to be able to order. Probably happens pretty often. Greenville though I was proud of how the lines were kept orderly
Oh, I agree. I waited about an hour and a half. Got everything I was looking for.
It’s been like this every tour for the last 15 years. Nothing new to see here.
Fair play to you - I get it has been that way for you for Years but here's my experience of the last 9 Years since event shirts were sold... (prior to that in 2000 / 2006 there were no problems getting stuff after the gigs)
2009 SBE - Yes to shirt & poster Rotterdam - Yes to shirt & poster Manchester - Yes to shirt & poster O2 - Yes to shirt & poster
2010 Dublin - Yes to shirt & poster Belfast - yes to shirt & poster Hyde Park - Yes to shirt & poster Berlin - Yes to shirt & poster
2012 Manchester 1 & 2 - Yes to shirt & posters Amsterdam 1 & 2 - Yes to shirt & posters Berline 1 & 2 - Yes to shirt & posters
2014 Amsterdam 1 & 2 - Yes to shirts & posters Berlin - Yes to shirts & poster Leeds -Yes to shirt & poster MK - Yes to shirt & posters
2016 NYC - Long line but got stuff for both shows....
Europe 2018 Very very difficult but got poster & shirt to Amsterdam 1 & 2 , London 1 & 2 Rome - Shirt only. Prague - Nothing available other than tour shirts...
As I said before, I musth have been very lucky although I never lined up, I just got stuff at the venue after getting in, but this tour has been a new experience for me - so this has not been the case for 15 Years where I have been.
Something has changed - either more flippers or less merch. I guess it is eBay like someone said...
Last time I went to a line for poster was in 2009..i dont like the whole merch situation on tour I care for the shows.. So after a decade cos my ticket buddy loved the poster and went to a pub watch football in said I'll line up for her to get her a poster.. Wait outside and they sold like 50 posters only. And that's it.. Waste if standing in the hot sun.. Then I said that I'll go to ten club line to line up so to get in before public sales and get her a poster.. Another 1 and half line up for no reason.. Posters was sold out.to the first ten club members. The situation is ridiculous and last time I bother with this. Enjoy your money flippers.. U can shove it up your... U you know where
"...Dimitri...He talks to me...'.."The Ghost of Greece..".
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
Only went to some shows in Europe, first one in 1996 and I never had any kind of trouble getting anything, except for this tour ... No poster, No shirt, No Pin, No sticker ...
It’s been like this every tour for the last 15 years. Nothing new to see here.
This. On the 2000 tour getting a poster was not an issue. Ebay is the main reason that demand for posters has gotten out of hand. Everyone and their mother can make a quick buck. Same with tickets.
I respectfully disagree. I know it's easy to blame the "bad people" for why demand is like this, but when you really look at the numbers and the percentage of merch that ends up on eBay vs what ends up in collector's collections, it's not even close. Yes, there are people buying multiples of things to make a quick buck on eBay, 100%. But the overwhelming majority of merch goes to fans. Especially on this tour. Such a small amount of posters from Europe have ended up on eBay so far.
It's just a simple supply vs. demand issue and Pearl Jam wants this exactly the way it is. This is why they hold weeklong merch parties before their stadium shows. This is why they don't offer a poster with ticket purchase...they sell more 10C tickets than they're willing to make posters for. Like it or not (most don't) they are fully aware of what a spectacle the merch creates and they like it like this.
It’s been like this every tour for the last 15 years. Nothing new to see here.
This. On the 2000 tour getting a poster was not an issue. Ebay is the main reason that demand for posters has gotten out of hand. Everyone and their mother can make a quick buck. Same with tickets.
I respectfully disagree. I know it's easy to blame the "bad people" for why demand is like this, but when you really look at the numbers and the percentage of merch that ends up on eBay vs what ends up in collector's collections, it's not even close. Yes, there are people buying multiples of things to make a quick buck on eBay, 100%. But the overwhelming majority of merch goes to fans. Especially on this tour. Such a small amount of posters from Europe have ended up on eBay so far.
It's just a simple supply vs. demand issue and Pearl Jam wants this exactly the way it is. This is why they hold weeklong merch parties before their stadium shows. This is why they don't offer a poster with ticket purchase...they sell more 10C tickets than they're willing to make posters for. Like it or not (most don't) they are fully aware of what a spectacle the merch creates and they like it like this.
5% goes to ebay. Rest 50% goes to waffles and fb pages for flipping. and yay 45%goes to fans!! Whooohooo
"...Dimitri...He talks to me...'.."The Ghost of Greece..".
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
Wrigley 13 was the proverbial straw that broke the camels back
Before the 2013 US tour, the last "real" US tour was in 2010, right? I remember going into the venue before the opening band and snagging a poster without issue.
Now, it's more like being there at 9am and praying. The Cincinnati 2014 line didn't seem terrible in comparison, but it was still probably about 2-3 hours...and that was due to only having one merch stand when other cities had multiple.
At Cincy 2014 there was at least one merchant truck that was supposed to open but if I recall, it did not.
You're right. They had that upper-concourse plaza around the venue which complicated things.
Presidential Advice from President-Elect Mike McCready: "Are you getting something out of this all encompassing trip?"
It's definitely tough. I haven't really changed my habits in 20 years but it's gotten infinitely more difficult to buy my usual tshirt and poster. Lots of reasons as to why. More people want to buy stuff (and have the money to do so). Credit/Debit takes longer than cash. People check stuff out before paying for it (back in the day you told them what you want, bought it, and hoped for the best). Stuff like that.
At this point they generate so many copies of the posters (especially for the stadium shows) that the ebay prices aren't that bad. Sometimes you get lucky and pick them up on website or artist website.
It would be nice if PJ found a better way to do it. I'm not the kind of person who will waste half a day in a lineup for a "chance" that maybe I can buy what I want. It'd be easier if I didn't have GA tickets. I'd go to the inside stands right at doors. GA you want to stake out a spot as soon as you get in. Sometimes there's some tshirts left at the end.
The merch situation seemed fine in Amsterdam. I got in line about 15 minutes before it opened and it took about 45 minutes to get through. Indon’t know how long posters lasted, but it looked like everyone was just getting one, at least that I saw.
If the description is accurate regarding number of posters available there was probably some kind of an issue. Can’t really believe they only offered a total of 60 posters. Must have been some kind of shipping issue.
8-28-92 Harriet Island
6-16-93 University Theatre, UM
2-8-95 Adams Field House
6-20-98 Washington-Grizzly Stadium
5-28-03 Adams Field House
8-29-05 Adams Field House
7-22-06 Gorge Amphitheater
9-3-11 Alpine Valley
9-30-12 Adams Field House
10-31-12 The Pearl - Eddie Vedder
11-01-12 The Pearl - Eddie Vedder
9-6-13 Key Arena
6-20-14 Milan
6-22-14 Trieste
11-28-15 Mexico City
I'm always relieved when my show has an ugly poster. Saves me $30-$150 and a lot of stress. Even if it's good, I'm not spending hours in line for "stuff." I have 12 posters on my walls, another 50 or so in a portfolio. I really don't need more stuff.
Keep the bootlegs coming. That's all that matters.
It’s been like this every tour for the last 15 years. Nothing new to see here.
This. On the 2000 tour getting a poster was not an issue. Ebay is the main reason that demand for posters has gotten out of hand. Everyone and their mother can make a quick buck. Same with tickets.
I respectfully disagree. I know it's easy to blame the "bad people" for why demand is like this, but when you really look at the numbers and the percentage of merch that ends up on eBay vs what ends up in collector's collections, it's not even close. Yes, there are people buying multiples of things to make a quick buck on eBay, 100%. But the overwhelming majority of merch goes to fans. Especially on this tour. Such a small amount of posters from Europe have ended up on eBay so far.
It's just a simple supply vs. demand issue and Pearl Jam wants this exactly the way it is. This is why they hold weeklong merch parties before their stadium shows. This is why they don't offer a poster with ticket purchase...they sell more 10C tickets than they're willing to make posters for. Like it or not (most don't) they are fully aware of what a spectacle the merch creates and they like it like this.
That's fair and I don't consider flippers "bad people."
Was at Fenway, night one. The day of the show we got into a merch line and I spent about $400. I got everything I wanted. The guy in front of us was buying 15 posters, all the same. Everyone in line behind him booed him on the way out. The next morning, around 9 or 10, we waited in line again and I picked up a few more things. One poster and a couple sizes of shirts/jerseys were sold out, otherwise everything was still avail. I guess it's hit or miss.
Wrigley 13 was the proverbial straw that broke the camels back
to me it was the raffles.
Before, people would have to sell on ebay. Maybe make trades here which were scrutinized. If they came here to sell for 'max value', they were shamed a bit and it was generally frowned upon.
Raffles have made it possible for flippers to not only exceed 'max value', but everyone thanks them for the opportunity. No fees like ebay has, no hassle with dealing with a lot of red tape that makes ebay a pain in the ass.
It’s been like this every tour for the last 15 years. Nothing new to see here.
This. On the 2000 tour getting a poster was not an issue. Ebay is the main reason that demand for posters has gotten out of hand. Everyone and their mother can make a quick buck. Same with tickets.
I respectfully disagree. I know it's easy to blame the "bad people" for why demand is like this, but when you really look at the numbers and the percentage of merch that ends up on eBay vs what ends up in collector's collections, it's not even close. Yes, there are people buying multiples of things to make a quick buck on eBay, 100%. But the overwhelming majority of merch goes to fans. Especially on this tour. Such a small amount of posters from Europe have ended up on eBay so far.
It's just a simple supply vs. demand issue and Pearl Jam wants this exactly the way it is. This is why they hold weeklong merch parties before their stadium shows. This is why they don't offer a poster with ticket purchase...they sell more 10C tickets than they're willing to make posters for. Like it or not (most don't) they are fully aware of what a spectacle the merch creates and they like it like this.
That's fair and I don't consider flippers "bad people."
I don’t either. I meant more like it’s easier to blame them than an increased fan base and collectors. Hell without resellers I wouldn’t have a lot of prints in my collection after missing out on drops. A necessary evil. If everyone who bought something kept it for themselves, people who complain about flippers would be complaining about no one selling the thing they missed haha.
Raffles have made it possible for flippers to not only exceed 'max value', but everyone thanks them for the opportunity. No fees like ebay has, no hassle with dealing with a lot of red tape that makes ebay a pain in the ass.
Exactly. The first time I saw a raffle, my first thought wasn't "oh I could get that poster for $20 in the raffle." It was "this guy is making $400 on a $250-$300 poster and people are jumping on it. No thanks."
Been said before,,Just have the option of a poster with the tix...
There's been plenty of reasons why that isn't a good solution. And It's not just about the poster for everyone. People shouldn't have to wait in line 3-4 hours to get a t-shirt with some tour dates/stops on the back or a tote bag or a hat or keychain.
It’s been like this every tour for the last 15 years. Nothing new to see here.
I disagree it's not been like it here the last 25 years at all
Agree with you, Rob. With the exception of the Pitt '13 poster, I never had trouble getting anything until 2014. Lines were 10-15 mins tops.
The outside merch tents/booths ruined everything. The 2013 tour wasn't bad - again, aside from the Pitt poster. Even then I only stood in line maybe a half hour, but I got there around 5pm and posters sold out while I was in line. I waited maybe 5 mins in Baltimore and no wait at all in Charlottesville, and both were also arriving at the venue around 5pm. 2014 was a whole different story. Cincinnati was a 3 1/2 hour wait. St. Paul was a 4 hour wait and the line didn't move an inch. I got fed up and left without buying anything. Wrigley '16 was an all day event. It's ridiculous.
I am surprised no one has mentioned the long line at PJ20 and standing in the rain both days. I was about 10-15 people from the front when posters sold out both days.
I am surprised no one has mentioned the long line at PJ20 and standing in the rain both days. I was about 10-15 people from the front when posters sold out both days.
That is the only time I waited more than an hour, and it was the last.
1998-06-30 Mpls | 2006-07-06 Las Vegas | 2010-05-03 Kansas City | 2011-07-01 St. Louis EV | 2011-07-02 Mpls EV | 2011-09-03 PJ20 2011-09-04 PJ20 | 2011-09-17 Winnipeg | 2012-09-30 Missoula | 2012-11-18 Tulsa EV | 2013-07-19 Chicago | 2013-11-15 Dallas 2013-11-16 OKC | 2014-10-09 Lincoln | 2014-10-17 Moline | 2014-10-19 St. Paul | 2014-10-20 Milwaukee | 2016-08-20 Chicago 2016-08-22 Chicago | 2018-08-18 Chicago | 2018-08-20 Chicago | 2022-05-09 Phoenix | 2022-05-20 Las Vegas | 2022-09-18 St. Louis 2022-09-20 OKC | 2023-08-31 St. Paul | 2023-09-02 St. Paul | **2024-05-16 Las Vegas** | **2024-05-18 Las Vegas** |
Wrigley 13 was the proverbial straw that broke the camels back
I enjoyed those pictures. Blocks and blocks of grown men lining up in Chicago for stickers.
In 2016 someone here posted a great fake coversation about a bystander questioning someone in line. It was about the Molly Ringwald poster. Wish i could read that again. Summed up the merch madness better than anything ive ever read
Comments
I went to two QOTSA shows where the artists were Sperry and Emek. WOW, what a friggin mess.
Before the 2013 US tour, the last "real" US tour was in 2010, right? I remember going into the venue before the opening band and snagging a poster without issue.
Now, it's more like being there at 9am and praying. The Cincinnati 2014 line didn't seem terrible in comparison, but it was still probably about 2-3 hours...and that was due to only having one merch stand when other cities had multiple.
2016: Lexington and Wrigley 1
Cincinnati 2014
Greenville 2016
(Raleigh 2016)
Columbia 2016
2016: Lexington and Wrigley 1
Why even bother making merchandise half decent?
(prior to that in 2000 / 2006 there were no problems getting stuff after the gigs)
2009
SBE - Yes to shirt & poster
Rotterdam - Yes to shirt & poster
Manchester - Yes to shirt & poster
O2 - Yes to shirt & poster
2010
Dublin - Yes to shirt & poster
Belfast - yes to shirt & poster
Hyde Park - Yes to shirt & poster
Berlin - Yes to shirt & poster
2012
Manchester 1 & 2 - Yes to shirt & posters
Amsterdam 1 & 2 - Yes to shirt & posters
Berline 1 & 2 - Yes to shirt & posters
2014
Amsterdam 1 & 2 - Yes to shirts & posters
Berlin - Yes to shirts & poster
Leeds -Yes to shirt & poster
MK - Yes to shirt & posters
2016
NYC - Long line but got stuff for both shows....
Europe 2018
Very very difficult but got poster & shirt to Amsterdam 1 & 2 , London 1 & 2
Rome - Shirt only.
Prague - Nothing available other than tour shirts...
As I said before, I musth have been very lucky although I never lined up, I just got stuff at the venue after getting in, but this tour has been a new experience for me - so this has not been the case for 15 Years where I have been.
Something has changed - either more flippers or less merch. I guess it is eBay like someone said...
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
It's just a simple supply vs. demand issue and Pearl Jam wants this exactly the way it is. This is why they hold weeklong merch parties before their stadium shows. This is why they don't offer a poster with ticket purchase...they sell more 10C tickets than they're willing to make posters for. Like it or not (most don't) they are fully aware of what a spectacle the merch creates and they like it like this.
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
You're right. They had that upper-concourse plaza around the venue which complicated things.
6-16-93 University Theatre, UM
2-8-95 Adams Field House
6-20-98 Washington-Grizzly Stadium
5-28-03 Adams Field House
8-29-05 Adams Field House
7-22-06 Gorge Amphitheater
9-3-11 Alpine Valley
9-30-12 Adams Field House
10-31-12 The Pearl - Eddie Vedder
11-01-12 The Pearl - Eddie Vedder
9-6-13 Key Arena
6-20-14 Milan
6-22-14 Trieste
11-28-15 Mexico City
Keep the bootlegs coming. That's all that matters.
Posters for Sale: http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/117469/posters-for-sale
T-Shirts for Sale: http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/149289/pj-t-shirt-trade-or-sale
Before, people would have to sell on ebay. Maybe make trades here which were scrutinized. If they came here to sell for 'max value', they were shamed a bit and it was generally frowned upon.
Raffles have made it possible for flippers to not only exceed 'max value', but everyone thanks them for the opportunity. No fees like ebay has, no hassle with dealing with a lot of red tape that makes ebay a pain in the ass.
It has swung the barn doors open.
Posters for Sale: http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/117469/posters-for-sale
T-Shirts for Sale: http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/149289/pj-t-shirt-trade-or-sale
2011-09-04 PJ20 | 2011-09-17 Winnipeg | 2012-09-30 Missoula | 2012-11-18 Tulsa EV | 2013-07-19 Chicago | 2013-11-15 Dallas
2013-11-16 OKC | 2014-10-09 Lincoln | 2014-10-17 Moline | 2014-10-19 St. Paul | 2014-10-20 Milwaukee | 2016-08-20 Chicago
2016-08-22 Chicago | 2018-08-18 Chicago | 2018-08-20 Chicago | 2022-05-09 Phoenix | 2022-05-20 Las Vegas | 2022-09-18 St. Louis
2022-09-20 OKC | 2023-08-31 St. Paul | 2023-09-02 St. Paul | **2024-05-16 Las Vegas** | **2024-05-18 Las Vegas** |
http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/259006/overheard-in-the-wrigley-merchandise-line