Should I stay or should I go? (ya...I'm staying, lol)

F Me In The Brain

Massive price increase?
Dang.
It is bizarre out there.

F Me In The Brain

BTW, I'm not flaming your choice to leave...only that the price increase is massive.  This, to me, is a head scratcher.  How much a month did they increase the price?

Lerxst1992

F Me In The Brain said:

BTW, I'm not flaming your choice to leave...only that the price increase is massive.  This, to me, is a head scratcher.  How much a month did they increase the price?

I get it’s only $15 but it’s nearly double, for a band that has been deservedly slowing down for the past ten years. Compound that with the price of heat heading into this winter is thousands of dollars more than it ever was before, it’s curious. I get the download and merch, but I’d just go out and buy that if desired.  The real cost is for the ticket lotteries registration , and in the northeast, a very populated region that has a TON of PJ fans still, they just haven’t been playing many shows here the last decade. 

So matching the cost, with the percent increase, with the lack of locally/regionally available content, it’s curious. But I’m likely staying since Mr Fresno is.

lastexitlondon

This is the only place i go/use for any communication with some really nice people/friends in my mind anyway. 
I will find the money at the time but reading these posts made me think.....pj don't be so greedy to loyal fans. Not cool.
Which i guess we all think. Love to you brian and your wife. Great humans making great waves in a positive way!

brianlux

static111 said:

Bri I went through this during my last renewal for digital and decided just to stick around because I like to hang out here. I know this is gonna be an unpopular opinion and maybe get me flamed but here goes.  With the massive price increase for little if any additional value I am thinking my 27 yr fan club run may be over.  With the bands best live shows behind them, and the skyrocketing costs of their tickets as well as the added costs of traveling and lodging, I think my fan club days will be at an end this coming August.  I might change my tune if they have a late career renaissance like Bob Dylan or Neil Young, but I'm not that into giving the band that much more of my money at this point.  $35 bucks to have the same conversations over and over seems a bit much, plus I could use the money to get 4 months of having a blue check on twitter. In all seriousness I haven't been that thrilled with the band since 2014 and have just been holding out hope that they will catch another big wave. If I want to pay insane money to see a nostalgia act I will go see the Stones.

You would be sorely missed, my friend.  If you do go, I hope we keep in touch anyway!

As for your possibly not so popular opinion, I have some similar feeling and hopes.   I've been particularly hopeful that PJ might have that "late career renaissance" you mentioned.  I've thought that and AM pretty sure I've mentioned it around here a number of times.  But I've been thinking and saying that for quite awhile and am beginning to wonder if that's going to happen.  To be sure, it's not a common thing.  Countless band have rested on their laurels and keep going out doing the hits over and over. But like you said, Dylan and Young managed to have great resurgences.  And other bands with less mass appeal but no less quality have also done so- Dinosaur Jr, The Dream Syndicate, Mission of Burma, The Circle Jerks offshoot, OFF!, The Feelies, and a few like Juliana Hatfield who, after making records for 35 years has never even slumped once. 
So I keep waiting, and waiting.  And I dare say, maybe being a little more "hungry" (like those other bands I mentioned) is what Pearl Jam really needs the most now.   Maybe the best them for them would be if we left in droves. 

Not meaning to piss off anyone here.  I wouldn't say any of this if I didn't care.

josevolution

I doubt that this issue was brought up for a vote with the Band! But $35 is totally worth the chance at securing tickets 1st I’m on automatic renewal and have been paying dues since April 93, I’m not about to stop now I’m riding this out till the end!!

static111

F Me In The Brain said:

BTW, I'm not flaming your choice to leave...only that the price increase is massive.  This, to me, is a head scratcher.  How much a month did they increase the price?

$20 to $35 is a massive increase.  For what appears to be less/the same non benefits as previous years.  With the slow down in touring and the focus on selling merchandise to ten club members it just isn't worth it.  Yeah $15 isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things and I can afford it, but this is one of those things where it doesn't add up for my cost benefit ratio.  I saw maybe 15 is shows from '98-2014 with the best shows being in the '98-'03 time frame. Not to mention the last show I saw in 2014 was just pretty good and overall lacked the feeling that I had grown used to when seeing PJ.

 At this point being charged $35 to maybe get a $100+ dollar ticket and have access to spend even more money on 'exclusive fan club' merchandise is ridiculous to me.  I can't stop buying gas or groceries when the prices get jacked, but I can refuse to take part in a cash grab from one of my favorite millionaire bands.  If I really want to see a PJ show that likely won't measure up to my past shows, I will just wait until the dynamic pricing goes down low enough to snag a nose bleed. Anyway I have a low number and have consistently scored seats between row 2-14, so this will be good for people at the back of the line.  Maybe I will be amazed by something before the renewal deadline and my mind will be changed.  I hope so, I have been waiting this long after all.

static111

brianlux said:

static111 said:

Bri I went through this during my last renewal for digital and decided just to stick around because I like to hang out here. I know this is gonna be an unpopular opinion and maybe get me flamed but here goes.  With the massive price increase for little if any additional value I am thinking my 27 yr fan club run may be over.  With the bands best live shows behind them, and the skyrocketing costs of their tickets as well as the added costs of traveling and lodging, I think my fan club days will be at an end this coming August.  I might change my tune if they have a late career renaissance like Bob Dylan or Neil Young, but I'm not that into giving the band that much more of my money at this point.  $35 bucks to have the same conversations over and over seems a bit much, plus I could use the money to get 4 months of having a blue check on twitter. In all seriousness I haven't been that thrilled with the band since 2014 and have just been holding out hope that they will catch another big wave. If I want to pay insane money to see a nostalgia act I will go see the Stones.

You would be sorely missed, my friend.  If you do go, I hope we keep in touch anyway!

As for your possibly not so popular opinion, I have some similar feeling and hopes.   I've been particularly hopeful that PJ might have that "late career renaissance" you mentioned.  I've thought that and AM pretty sure I've mentioned it around here a number of times.  But I've been thinking and saying that for quite awhile and am beginning to wonder if that's going to happen.  To be sure, it's not a common thing.  Countless band have rested on their laurels and keep going out doing the hits over and over. But like you said, Dylan and Young managed to have great resurgences.  And other bands with less mass appeal but no less quality have also done so- Dinosaur Jr, The Dream Syndicate, Mission of Burma, The Circle Jerks offshoot, OFF!, The Feelies, and a few like Juliana Hatfield who, after making records for 35 years has never even slumped once. 
So I keep waiting, and waiting.  And I dare say, maybe being a little more "hungry" (like those other bands I mentioned) is what Pearl Jam really needs the most now.   Maybe the best them for them would be if we left in droves. 

Not meaning to piss off anyone here.  I wouldn't say any of this if I didn't care.

We will definitely stay in touch Bri, you can count on it.

F Me In The Brain

static111 said:

F Me In The Brain said:

BTW, I'm not flaming your choice to leave...only that the price increase is massive.  This, to me, is a head scratcher.  How much a month did they increase the price?

$20 to $35 is a massive increase.  For what appears to be less/the same non benefits as previous years.  With the slow down in touring and the focus on selling merchandise to ten club members it just isn't worth it.  Yeah $15 isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things and I can afford it, but this is one of those things where it doesn't add up for my cost benefit ratio.  I saw maybe 15 is shows from '98-2014 with the best shows being in the '98-'03 time frame. Not to mention the last show I saw in 2014 was just pretty good and overall lacked the feeling that I had grown used to when seeing PJ.

 At this point being charged $35 to maybe get a $100+ dollar ticket and have access to spend even more money on 'exclusive fan club' merchandise is ridiculous to me.  I can't stop buying gas or groceries when the prices get jacked, but I can refuse to take part in a cash grab from one of my favorite millionaire bands.  If I really want to see a PJ show that likely won't measure up to my past shows, I will just wait until the dynamic pricing goes down low enough to snag a nose bleed. Anyway I have a low number and have consistently scored seats between row 2-14, so this will be good for people at the back of the line.  Maybe I will be amazed by something before the renewal deadline and my mind will be changed.  I hope so, I have been waiting this long after all.

That is your option to choose and all of the reasons you lay out make good sense, to you, I'm sure.
I don't share the perspective.   I don't do a cost benefit analysis on $15.  Don't do it on $35.  Don't think it is a worth anything to do that when I spent $150+ on an average-to-below-average delivery of dinner last night.  By now that is in the toilet.  

Good luck with your decision.  

static111

F Me In The Brain said:

static111 said:

F Me In The Brain said:

BTW, I'm not flaming your choice to leave...only that the price increase is massive.  This, to me, is a head scratcher.  How much a month did they increase the price?

$20 to $35 is a massive increase.  For what appears to be less/the same non benefits as previous years.  With the slow down in touring and the focus on selling merchandise to ten club members it just isn't worth it.  Yeah $15 isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things and I can afford it, but this is one of those things where it doesn't add up for my cost benefit ratio.  I saw maybe 15 is shows from '98-2014 with the best shows being in the '98-'03 time frame. Not to mention the last show I saw in 2014 was just pretty good and overall lacked the feeling that I had grown used to when seeing PJ.

 At this point being charged $35 to maybe get a $100+ dollar ticket and have access to spend even more money on 'exclusive fan club' merchandise is ridiculous to me.  I can't stop buying gas or groceries when the prices get jacked, but I can refuse to take part in a cash grab from one of my favorite millionaire bands.  If I really want to see a PJ show that likely won't measure up to my past shows, I will just wait until the dynamic pricing goes down low enough to snag a nose bleed. Anyway I have a low number and have consistently scored seats between row 2-14, so this will be good for people at the back of the line.  Maybe I will be amazed by something before the renewal deadline and my mind will be changed.  I hope so, I have been waiting this long after all.

That is your option to choose and all of the reasons you lay out make good sense, to you, I'm sure.
I don't share the perspective.   I don't do a cost benefit analysis on $15.  Don't do it on $35.  Don't think it is a worth anything to do that when I spent $150+ on an average-to-below-average delivery of dinner last night.  By now that is in the toilet.  

Good luck with your decision.  

$150 on delivery!!  

Ledbetterman10

When did they make it that you had to be a paying member of the Tenclub to post on this board? It wasn’t always like that and I thought that was lame when they changed it. I wonder if any other big band’s website’s message board is like that, where ya have to pay to post. Any of you guys visit the message boards of bands comparable to PJ? Like U2, Dave Matthews, Phish, Radiohead, etc?

brianlux

Ledbetterman10 said:

When did they make it that you had to be a paying member of the Tenclub to post on this board? It wasn’t always like that and I thought that was lame when they changed it. I wonder if any other big band’s website’s message board is like that, where ya have to pay to post. Any of you guys visit the message boards of bands comparable to PJ? Like U2, Dave Matthews, Phish, Radiohead, etc?

I've only been here since 2010 so I thought it was always that way.  Maybe someone here can tell us more.

I belong to the now very slow and quiet Paul Westerberg "Man Without Ties" board which has always been free.  Dinosaur Jr had a now defunct free board.  Steve Hoffman's forums are free and only request donations.

With what Pearl Jam and Company charges for stuff, you'd think they were having trouble making rent.  I really don't understand this band sometimes.

PJ_Soul

I'm pissed off about the price going up $15USD - nothing added to the membership benefits me. It's just almost doubled the price for the same thing as far as I'm concerned. I'm not leaving, but I'm not happy about this at all. I think it's total BS.

static111

Theoretically if I renewed would I be able to report the $5 portion of the membership that is donation to vitalogy as a charitable contribution?

brianlux

static111 said:

Theoretically if I renewed would I be able to report the $5 portion of the membership that is donation to vitalogy as a charitable contribution?

Interesting question. Probably so if Pearl Jam Vitalogy is a 501(c)(3). Probably not if not.

Malroth

F Me In The Brain said:

static111 said:

F Me In The Brain said:

BTW, I'm not flaming your choice to leave...only that the price increase is massive.  This, to me, is a head scratcher.  How much a month did they increase the price?

$20 to $35 is a massive increase.  For what appears to be less/the same non benefits as previous years.  With the slow down in touring and the focus on selling merchandise to ten club members it just isn't worth it.  Yeah $15 isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things and I can afford it, but this is one of those things where it doesn't add up for my cost benefit ratio.  I saw maybe 15 is shows from '98-2014 with the best shows being in the '98-'03 time frame. Not to mention the last show I saw in 2014 was just pretty good and overall lacked the feeling that I had grown used to when seeing PJ.

 At this point being charged $35 to maybe get a $100+ dollar ticket and have access to spend even more money on 'exclusive fan club' merchandise is ridiculous to me.  I can't stop buying gas or groceries when the prices get jacked, but I can refuse to take part in a cash grab from one of my favorite millionaire bands.  If I really want to see a PJ show that likely won't measure up to my past shows, I will just wait until the dynamic pricing goes down low enough to snag a nose bleed. Anyway I have a low number and have consistently scored seats between row 2-14, so this will be good for people at the back of the line.  Maybe I will be amazed by something before the renewal deadline and my mind will be changed.  I hope so, I have been waiting this long after all.

That is your option to choose and all of the reasons you lay out make good sense, to you, I'm sure.
I don't share the perspective.   I don't do a cost benefit analysis on $15.  Don't do it on $35.  Don't think it is a worth anything to do that when I spent $150+ on an average-to-below-average delivery of dinner last night.  By now that is in the toilet.  

Good luck with your decision.  

I understand both sides......but I'm milquetoast.

Gern Blansten

A $15 increase is $1.25/month. 

But yeah...if it isn't worth it don't pay it. Simple as that.

I'm hoping there is more member only merch offerings but if not that's ok. 

Merkin Baller

I'll echo what I said in the other thread about this same topic: 

75% increase seems insane, but  this is also the first price adjustment they've had in the last decade or so. Yeah it's 75%, but otoh, it's *only* $15.00. 

Just my $0.02, I'm happy to hear you're likely sticking around. 

brianlux

Gern Blansten said:

A $15 increase is $1.25/month. 

But yeah...if it isn't worth it don't pay it. Simple as that.

I'm hoping there is more member only merch offerings but if not that's ok. 

Yet again, missing the point.  A number of other people have already mentioned the "it's only $1.25 a month" excuse here and in the thread in the porch, all together missing the point others of us have made which is that charging more for less really seems like a cash grab.  They could have at least had different levels including a low price for members who simple like to be involved with the PJ community on the forums and are not into buy buy buy more stuff.  Odd that so many here defend that action or don't seem to get that.

Gern Blansten

brianlux said:

Gern Blansten said:

A $15 increase is $1.25/month. 

But yeah...if it isn't worth it don't pay it. Simple as that.

I'm hoping there is more member only merch offerings but if not that's ok. 

Yet again, missing the point.  A number of other people have already mentioned the "it's only $1.25 a month" excuse here and in the thread in the porch, all together missing the point others of us have made which is that charging more for less really seems like a cash grab.  They could have at least had different levels including a low price for members who simple like to be involved with the PJ community on the forums and are not into buy buy buy more stuff.  Odd that so many here defend that action or don't seem to get that.

No I completely get that it's $1.25/month

It simplifies things for them. Hasn't been increased forever. Forgo a burrito from Qdoba once a year and keep your membership.