'The Home Shows' X 'The Away Shows' Merch

OceansJenny

JH6056 said:

But only selling inside means fans that got locked out of the lottery and public onsale can't even buy merch... that seems unfair.  And the way people are still looking for tix for tonight, it is pretty clear that the average person with average income and average adult responsibilities could easily be totally locked out of shows like tonight and Seattle 2 where tix really were hard to get.  And I know a lot of people who couldn't take Tuesday off or other reasons they can't go Tuesday, so even though there are a lot of tix for Tues floating around, some people got totally shut out of Boston.

Outside stands open it up to everyone and their mother (literally) to line up every day and buy all the merch for their eBay shops. I think that’s a lot worse than locking out the few local fans who couldn’t find tickets. 

Who is getting merch and not going to the shows under these seemingly specific circumstances? Why should merch be prioritized for ppl who aren’t even going to the show?

JH6056

Now that we're used to having option outside too, I think it's a good option.  But I'm lucky, I'll usually be able to buy wherever it's sold, so I'm not going to be out of luck if it does go back to only sold inside the venue.  I just know many serious fans who would be shut out.  Just thinking of them.

In the end, it is what it is, and it is material merch, and life goes on whether one gets it or not.  I still can't believe I got up at the crack of butt to buy merch, never done that before, not sure it'll ever happen again, but I did meet nice people and it actually was enjoyable aside from a few frustrations (including  me not getting 2 things I wanted after waiting all that time).

pjl44

opsopcopolis said:

pjl44 said:

opsopcopolis said:

They really just need to get rid of the external stands...

Hell naw. I drove down Friday afternoon - light traffic, parked easily, no lines. Got everything I wanted minus posters. And I don't need to deal with it on the day of the show. It was glorious.

I went yesterday morning and it was easy, doesn't mean it's a good idea. They were doing outside stands in Europe too and it just limits the number they can sell inside. This was the first year I've ever had a problem getting PJ merch (other than Wrigley 2013) and it's because of the outdoor stands

The first show I had a hard time getting a poster was MSG in '03. I've had difficulty getting show-specific stuff quite a few times since. I think the largest variable is demand increasing and that the outside booths at such large shows help spread it out. At this point I don't think any system will allow for people easily getting every item they want.

Redrumh2o

Is tomorrow going to be ridiculous for the setlist shirts? I don't want to waste hours of my time if they are sold out before I get in. They usually don't make too many....correct?

ski-bum

Being there at 5:00 a.m. yesterday morning doesn't sound like a bad idea at all anymore

wwsuicide

bootlegger10 said:

Wrigley 2013 brought the insanity.

That was bad. For me, I felt the burn at PJ20.  I looked at the merch line and went straight to the booze line instead. 

OceansJenny

Redrumh2o said:

Is tomorrow going to be ridiculous for the setlist shirts? I don't want to waste hours of my time if they are sold out before I get in. They usually don't make too many....correct?

One of the sales girls at booth 1 told me yest there wouldn’t be any setlist shirts for sale Monday morning, that both would be available Wednesday morning. But she could be wrong.

Redrumh2o

LOL.....well if that is true a lot of people are going to be a lot of angry ppl tomorrow morning. Too bad most people will be back to work or traveling on Wednesday

DarthOverlord

I will be at the show today.  My friend is meeting me with my Klausen Seattle ticket poster (of which I now have two, long story). If anyone wants to swap a Whalen Fenway for it, I can meet up before the show. 

3days

I stood in line 1 morning in Seattle, and 1 morning in Chicago. I also went back to a tent once with literally no wait, trying to score a kiddie shirt for my friend's son.

I've also questioned the sense and sanity of everything; waiting for hours just to pick up a few souvenirs. I'm not sure why we're willing to endure snake lines and hot asphalt. Or why some do it more than once. 

That being said, I met some really nice people during those long waits. I have no idea as to each person's intentions for what they were buying, but I can tell you that they were genuine fans. People talking about the music, past shows, upcoming shows, etc. People were sharing water, donuts, and extra coffees with others in line. Strangers holding spots for one another during bathroom breaks. What I saw was people taking care of each other. 

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who made me glad that I waited in line. It can be frustrating to see the last poster disappear right in front of you, or to see someone leaving with shirts of every possible size. It would be a lot less bearable, if not for the kindness, sharing, and pleasant conversation. Thanks everybody!

RedMosquitoSmile28

3days said:

I stood in line 1 morning in Seattle, and 1 morning in Chicago. I also went back to a tent once with literally no wait, trying to score a kiddie shirt for my friend's son.

I've also questioned the sense and sanity of everything; waiting for hours just to pick up a few souvenirs. I'm not sure why we're willing to endure snake lines and hot asphalt. Or why some do it more than once. 

That being said, I met some really nice people during those long waits. I have no idea as to each person's intentions for what they were buying, but I can tell you that they were genuine fans. People talking about the music, past shows, upcoming shows, etc. People were sharing water, donuts, and extra coffees with others in line. Strangers holding spots for one another during bathroom breaks. What I saw was people taking care of each other. 

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who made me glad that I waited in line. It can be frustrating to see the last poster disappear right in front of you, or to see someone leaving with shirts of every possible size. It would be a lot less bearable, if not for the kindness, sharing, and pleasant conversation. Thanks everybody!

I waited in line the morning of Seattle 1. Got there about an hour before the actual lineup. Never thought I'd do something like that. Got everything I wanted except the Yeti poster (was trying to get all five for the Home Shows just because I am crazy), which was already sold out when we got in. About 100th in line. Got that easy in the venue. Again, never thought I'd do something like that and man was it a fun experience. At least everyone around me were Pearl Jam fans who had traveled far and wide and many who traveled often. The time flew by and it was great fun.

We were busy sight seeing in Montana and didn't get to the venue in Missoula until about 1 in the afternoon. Had sort of just decided it was OK if I didn't get what I wanted and would figure it out later just because we were there later. Decided what the heck and waited then. That line was only an hour but again, great experience being around everyone. Again, got everything I wanted except the trout sticker, which we also got fairly easily inside. 

Posters are my thing, like so many others here, and to some extent it's nuts to wait too long but the first part of this tour it was very memorable to wait. It was a good experience. I was prepared to do it again in Boston, and I don't want all five posters because I'm only going to one show and going to just Tuesday knew it would be more difficult anyway, but I did have my eyes on a couple of them. But hearing all this, I'm just going to test my luck inside and if nothing, well I'll see if I go eBay or if they show up online or something. I'm so excited for the trip it doesn't really matter and now I know I'll have more time around Boston, which is good too. But I haven't minded waiting a bit at all.

iwasatpj20

If someone can get me a Klausen poster and tube and one of each sticker and pin, PM me.  I will pay via PayPal since I'm arriving in Boston on Tuesday and workout the details.

mookeywrench

Wait for the venue doors to open. Merch lines  are much shorter inside...45 minutes to an hour.
Goes quick with people watching, line neighbor small talk and easy access to beer.

Merkin Baller

3days said:

I stood in line 1 morning in Seattle, and 1 morning in Chicago. I also went back to a tent once with literally no wait, trying to score a kiddie shirt for my friend's son.

I've also questioned the sense and sanity of everything; waiting for hours just to pick up a few souvenirs. I'm not sure why we're willing to endure snake lines and hot asphalt. Or why some do it more than once. 

That being said, I met some really nice people during those long waits. I have no idea as to each person's intentions for what they were buying, but I can tell you that they were genuine fans. People talking about the music, past shows, upcoming shows, etc. People were sharing water, donuts, and extra coffees with others in line. Strangers holding spots for one another during bathroom breaks. What I saw was people taking care of each other. 

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who made me glad that I waited in line. It can be frustrating to see the last poster disappear right in front of you, or to see someone leaving with shirts of every possible size. It would be a lot less bearable, if not for the kindness, sharing, and pleasant conversation. Thanks everybody!

Well said. 

ski-bum

Does anyone know what the story is with the St. Christopher keychain?

3days

ski-bum said:

Does anyone know what the story is with the St. Christopher keychain?

They sold these before (maybe 2009), and they were very popular. As for the design and inspiration, St Christopher is the patron saint of travel. His Catholic superpower is helping others on their journey. It's nice to see him rocking the mic. 

OceansJenny

I got your Mumford here 

Gern Blansten

pjl44 said:

JP218404 said:

Clearly there is sneaky shit going on in Boston. No way they sell everything out in 20 minutes 

If Gern was serious about an employee offering to hold some back for $...

Totally serious... Almost took her up on it but too much of a trust factor 

ConorKavanagh

There's that whole ethical thing if you took her up on it, like the teachers telling you you're supporting organised crime if you buy a bag of weed.

Jdgoldsmith21

What’s strange to me is when I was out there for foo fighters in July there was zero issue with merch—stands all over the place-plentiful posters. I don’t understand how PJ manages to absolutely fuck up this merch situation and FF can figure out a good system.  

Wrigley a few weeks ago was bad but Boston sounds worse. I’m hitting the merch line at ten am tomorrow when my flight gets in with “hopes” for a chance at Mumford.