It was not a staff issue. They did not have enough items available. The guy who runs the merchandise (same guy every year) talked to us. About 500 posters each style allocated per day. Once they are gone they are gone. Today took 7hrs or so. 250 people or so. I was 252. People were less than efficient but they would have sold out regardless. We didn't run out of time.
You don't set out to wait I line for 7hrs. You get in line thinking you will be there for 2 max. Then 2 goes to 3. Like arguments with your spouse, you dig for the long haul and 7hrs goes by. Before you know it you hate life when they sell out 10 people in front of you.
Get there early or be prepared for XXXL women's tank tops with a flamingo on it.
This is just ludicrous. I can not even begin to fathom waiting in a fucking merch line for 7 hours. It's not worth the aggravation.
I mentally prepared myself before going to Boston that I wasn't going to wait in any ridiculous lines and guess what? I never did because there weren't any. I went to four different merch stands, got literally everything I wanted and waited a total of 20 minutes combined. I expect the same thing to be the case when I hit Chicago on Saturday morning or I just ain't buying shit.
I like this philosophy! I'll meet you in Chicago on Sunday and we can drink beer while everyone else waits in line :-)
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Can you imagine being in Chicago for the first time ever, and waiting in line for 6 hours for a particular poster, and when you step forward, it's your fucking moment, you lock eyes with the sales person and they tell you that they just sold the last poster right before you... My god, I would go full Michael Douglas in Falling Down. This stuff needs to stop.
I know I'm slow but I keep looking. Limits normal? Never been able to buy cards before so those I don't know.
Speaking of the baseball cards....guy in front of me walked out with 2 complete boxes even though there was a clearly stated 10 pack limit. Those will more than likely disappear before this all wraps up on Monday/Tuesday.
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I was stressed out about how the merch situation was going to work at Fenway (born and raised in Boston and PJ at Fenway was a dream come true). It turned out that I didn't have to worry. They had PLENTY of stuff and I was able to get everything I wanted. I picked up the Thomas print inside Fenway night 1. Just get to Wrigley and be there when the gates open (there were not long lines to get in at Fenway) and you should be able to get what you want. Also, there were no lines for the merch stands at ticket pick-up either (I went on Sat the day before to pick up my 10C tickets).
R-E-L-A-X! You should not have to wait 7 hours to get your stuff! The 10C did a great job at Fenway and I would expect that it will be the same for Wrigley.
How's the line forming today? Is it over 1 block long yet?
Good luck.
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I was stressed out about how the merch situation was going to work at Fenway (born and raised in Boston and PJ at Fenway was a dream come true). It turned out that I didn't have to worry. They had PLENTY of stuff and I was able to get everything I wanted. I picked up the Thomas print inside Fenway night 1. Just get to Wrigley and be there when the gates open (there were not long lines to get in at Fenway) and you should be able to get what you want. Also, there were no lines for the merch stands at ticket pick-up either (I went on Sat the day before to pick up my 10C tickets).
R-E-L-A-X! You should not have to wait 7 hours to get your stuff! The 10C did a great job at Fenway and I would expect that it will be the same for Wrigley.
This is good advice. Don't even attempt the outside stands. We went into Fenway around 5:30 or so night 1 (for the rumored pre-set). There were plenty of merch stands set up, very little lines, and very well stocked.
I was stressed out about how the merch situation was going to work at Fenway (born and raised in Boston and PJ at Fenway was a dream come true). It turned out that I didn't have to worry. They had PLENTY of stuff and I was able to get everything I wanted. I picked up the Thomas print inside Fenway night 1. Just get to Wrigley and be there when the gates open (there were not long lines to get in at Fenway) and you should be able to get what you want. Also, there were no lines for the merch stands at ticket pick-up either (I went on Sat the day before to pick up my 10C tickets).
R-E-L-A-X! You should not have to wait 7 hours to get your stuff! The 10C did a great job at Fenway and I would expect that it will be the same for Wrigley.
This is good advice. Don't even attempt the outside stands. We went into Fenway around 5:30 or so night 1 (for the rumored pre-set). There were plenty of merch stands set up, very little lines, and very well stocked.
I would add, don't forget to check the merch stands after the show (or during, if you're one of those people that walks around during the show). I didn't see the Thomas at the merch stand when we went into the park (around 6:00), but I heard that it was restocked during the show, and people were able to get it afterwards.
Also, try to remember, in the end, it's just stuff.
"I'm a lucky man, to count on both hands the [shows I've done]. Some folks just have one, others they got none..."
Hartford 10.02.96 | Mansfield 2 09.16.98 | Mansfield 1 08.29.00 |
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"He made the deal with the devil, we get to play with him. He goes to hell, of course. We're going to heaven."
I was stressed out about how the merch situation was going to work at Fenway (born and raised in Boston and PJ at Fenway was a dream come true). It turned out that I didn't have to worry. They had PLENTY of stuff and I was able to get everything I wanted. I picked up the Thomas print inside Fenway night 1. Just get to Wrigley and be there when the gates open (there were not long lines to get in at Fenway) and you should be able to get what you want. Also, there were no lines for the merch stands at ticket pick-up either (I went on Sat the day before to pick up my 10C tickets).
R-E-L-A-X! You should not have to wait 7 hours to get your stuff! The 10C did a great job at Fenway and I would expect that it will be the same for Wrigley.
This is good advice. Don't even attempt the outside stands. We went into Fenway around 5:30 or so night 1 (for the rumored pre-set). There were plenty of merch stands set up, very little lines, and very well stocked.
This is the best advice for Wrigley. Went to Wrigley in 2013 and saw the outside lines were a complete mess. Went inside, they had sold out of cards, but had no problem getting anything else including the Cracker Jack poster. I went to Fenway this year and did the outside lines. Fenway is set up better for outside sales than Wrigley. Haven't followed it too closely, but are they just pop up stands on the sidewalk like in 2013? They were using the official Red Sox store for one and the one I went to was kind of a permanent trailer that was set up for Sox stuff. They had maybe 6 workers in the trailer set up and I am sure more than that in the Red Sox store. In addition they had two other set ups I didn't even see. I plan on walking in at 5:30 tomorrow and hoping I can score a couple shirts, pennant and patch. I have my Cracker Jack poster and the Thomas poster on my walls, don't really have room for more posters. Good luck to everybody and don't forget there is a show tomorrow too !
I was stressed out about how the merch situation was going to work at Fenway (born and raised in Boston and PJ at Fenway was a dream come true). It turned out that I didn't have to worry. They had PLENTY of stuff and I was able to get everything I wanted. I picked up the Thomas print inside Fenway night 1. Just get to Wrigley and be there when the gates open (there were not long lines to get in at Fenway) and you should be able to get what you want. Also, there were no lines for the merch stands at ticket pick-up either (I went on Sat the day before to pick up my 10C tickets).
R-E-L-A-X! You should not have to wait 7 hours to get your stuff! The 10C did a great job at Fenway and I would expect that it will be the same for Wrigley.
No kidding. We strolled in around 5:15 on Friday because of the rumors of the early start. Saw the Thomas poster at all the stands. Waited in line 10 minutes and got one for each of us. They ran out a few minutes later. And as you said all the stands had them after the show as well.
Get there when doors open, get what you need then go hang out in the park.
Id rather pay $150 for a poster I want then spend 7 hours of my time in line.
Theres two disadvantages to going in at doors and hitting the merch stand: 1) they're predicting rain for Saturday (or they were a few days ago) and 2) once you are in the venue, you are stuck in there, with severely overpriced food & beverages, plus the merch that you now have to protect throughout the whole show. I think this was the advantage of the outdoor trailers, you could buy what you want early, drop it off at home/hotel/car and enjoy the rest of the day without having to worry about getting into the venue when doors open.
Theres two disadvantages to going in at doors and hitting the merch stand: 1) they're predicting rain for Saturday (or they were a few days ago) and 2) once you are in the venue, you are stuck in there, with severely overpriced food & beverages, plus the merch that you now have to protect throughout the whole show. I think this was the advantage of the outdoor trailers, you could buy what you want early, drop it off at home/hotel/car and enjoy the rest of the day without having to worry about getting into the venue when doors open.
I hear that. But you can also hang out in the concourse if it is raining (at least you could in Fenway). We just sat at a table and had some pizza and a couple beers as the sun was pretty brutal at that time for Fenway 1. And yes, you're paying $11 for a beer but it's better than potentially dropping $150 for a poster down the road (for the Thomas at least).
I did the merch lines at Fenway and can tell you after doing Wrigley merch yesterday at the Metro, that so far, they are not really comparable. At Fenway they were restocking like crazy all day long and had an indoor counter with like 8 people as cashiers. At the Metro yesterday they sold out of sooooooooo much stuff and literally had only 2 cashiers working when I got through the line.
There will be opportunities to get Wrigley merch both outside and inside, but after day 1, to me at least, Wrigley merch sucked big time compared to Fenway...not even close.
Part of me is saying that if you think that you're going to get merch at Wrigley as easily as you did at Fenway, keep dreaming.
I wasn't at Wrigley 2013 for merch, but based on what I've read and those I talked to, this year is more like Wrigley 2013 and not Fenway.
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on2legs
Standing in the Jersey rain… Posts: 14,419
I wouldn't count on get on everything you want inside the venue if you're only going to night two. Most of the sought after items were not available night 2 at Fenway even though I made it inside when the gates opened. I got those items the day before otherwise I would have been out of luck. I realize it's tough to manage inventory but they shouldn't have sold out of Thomas posters before night 2.
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They are not wealthy but they finance their Pearl Jam trips by flipping merch to the people not willing to wait in line for 7 hours.
They have "no choice" but to wait.
Whatever happened to the good old days of working 3 jobs all year to save up to see shows, or using some of your college financial aid to see the boys 4x in the summer?
It appears they're producing a larger number of each poster compared to years past. It's nice to see more people able to purchase a poster at the show vs. having to overpay in the 2ndary market.
- Uncle Snuffy
Soldier Field - Jul 11, 1995, Savage Hall - Sep 22, 1996,
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium - Nov 14, 1997,
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium - Nov 15, 1997, Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Jun 26, 1998, Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Jun 27, 1998, United Center - Jun 29, 1998, Riverport Amphitheatre - Jul 02, 1998, Allstate Arena - Oct 09, 2000, Assembly Hall - Apr 23, 2003
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They are not wealthy but they finance their Pearl Jam trips by flipping merch to the people not willing to wait in line for 7 hours.
They have "no choice" but to wait.
...which totally works for me!
No way I'll go wait 6 hours in a line for a poster or shirt. But if some noob wants to do it for me and then sell me said shirt with a 40% markup, whatever. Time equals money.
Plus that shirt! The greatest band in the world paying tribute to Blues Bros., the greatest Chicago comedy of all time?
Comments
Today took 7hrs or so. 250 people or so. I was 252.
People were less than efficient but they would have sold out regardless. We didn't run out of time.
You don't set out to wait I line for 7hrs. You get in line thinking you will be there for 2 max. Then 2 goes to 3. Like arguments with your spouse, you dig for the long haul and 7hrs goes by. Before you know it you hate life when they sell out 10 people in front of you.
Get there early or be prepared for XXXL women's tank tops with a flamingo on it.
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Fenway packs for Wrigley packs and Fenway empty box for wrigley empty!
R-E-L-A-X! You should not have to wait 7 hours to get your stuff! The 10C did a great job at Fenway and I would expect that it will be the same for Wrigley.
Good luck.
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Also, try to remember, in the end, it's just stuff.
Hartford 10.02.96 | Mansfield 2 09.16.98 | Mansfield 1 08.29.00 | Mansfield 1 07.02.03 | Mansfield 3 07.11.03 | Boston 2 05.25.06 | Tampa 04.11.16 | Fenway 1 08.05.16 | Fenway 2 08.07.16 | Fenway 1 09.02.18 | Fenway 2 09.04.18 | Baltimore 03.28.20 | Hamilton 09.06.22 | Toronto 09.08.22 | Nashville 09.16.22 | St Louis 09.18.22
"He made the deal with the devil, we get to play with him.
He goes to hell, of course. We're going to heaven."
Thanks...
Get there when doors open, get what you need then go hang out in the park.
Id rather pay $150 for a poster I want then spend 7 hours of my time in line.
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There will be opportunities to get Wrigley merch both outside and inside, but after day 1, to me at least, Wrigley merch sucked big time compared to Fenway...not even close.
Part of me is saying that if you think that you're going to get merch at Wrigley as easily as you did at Fenway, keep dreaming.
I wasn't at Wrigley 2013 for merch, but based on what I've read and those I talked to, this year is more like Wrigley 2013 and not Fenway.
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Ugh
you're the only one who can forgive yourself oh yeah...
makes much more sense to live in the present tense...
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They are not wealthy but they finance their Pearl Jam trips by flipping merch to the people not willing to wait in line for 7 hours.
They have "no choice" but to wait.
- Uncle Snuffy
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium - Nov 14, 1997,
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium - Nov 15, 1997, Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Jun 26, 1998, Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Jun 27, 1998, United Center - Jun 29, 1998, Riverport Amphitheatre - Jul 02, 1998, Allstate Arena - Oct 09, 2000, Assembly Hall - Apr 23, 2003
United Center - Jun 18, 2003, Fox Theatre - Oct 05, 2004, United Center - May 16, 2006, United Center - May 17, 2006, United Center - Aug 23, 2009, United Center - Aug 24, 2009, Sprint Center - May 03, 2010, Scottrade Center - May 04, 2010, Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Sep 03, 2011, Alpine Valley Music Theatre - Sep 04, 2011
Hartford 10.02.96 | Mansfield 2 09.16.98 | Mansfield 1 08.29.00 | Mansfield 1 07.02.03 | Mansfield 3 07.11.03 | Boston 2 05.25.06 | Tampa 04.11.16 | Fenway 1 08.05.16 | Fenway 2 08.07.16 | Fenway 1 09.02.18 | Fenway 2 09.04.18 | Baltimore 03.28.20 | Hamilton 09.06.22 | Toronto 09.08.22 | Nashville 09.16.22 | St Louis 09.18.22
"He made the deal with the devil, we get to play with him.
He goes to hell, of course. We're going to heaven."
No way I'll go wait 6 hours in a line for a poster or shirt. But if some noob wants to do it for me and then sell me said shirt with a 40% markup, whatever. Time equals money.
Plus that shirt! The greatest band in the world paying tribute to Blues Bros., the greatest Chicago comedy of all time?
No fucking brainer!