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

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?

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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

I got your Mumford here 

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.