Scenes from todays Merch Line(What I saw)

risris · September 2023

Todays Merch Line was frustrating to say the least. I waited 4 and a half hours. Yes there was the outside issue of only one tablet working for a while but when you have one person fill up a wagon full of merchandise it makes things take longer.

She must have taken 15 minutes. Also when you have people trying on shirts or not knowing what they want it hurts.

First off they need to turn the Merch trailer 90 degrees. That way it faces everyone so they can see what’s inside.

Secondly on show days, limits on everything. Need more? Back of the line. Keep things moving.

Third. Accept cash so if there’s a tech issue you can still rely on that.

Just my 2 cents

RatherStarved · September 2023

Anyone get an extra license plate and is currently in the building? I’ll come find you and happy to pay a little extra…

NEweather · September 2023

risris said:

Todays Merch Line was frustrating to say the least. I waited 4 and a half hours. Yes there was the outside issue of only one tablet working for a while but when you have one person fill up a wagon full of merchandise it makes things take longer.

She must have taken 15 minutes. Also when you have people trying on shirts or not knowing what they want it hurts.

First off they need to turn the Merch trailer 90 degrees. That way it faces everyone so they can see what’s inside.

Secondly on show days, limits on everything. Need more? Back of the line. Keep things moving.

Third. Accept cash so if there’s a tech issue you can still rely on that.

Just my 2 cents

definitely would like them to accept cash, incase... Good suggestions

joseph33 · September 2023

risris said:

Todays Merch Line was frustrating to say the least. I waited 4 and a half hours. Yes there was the outside issue of only one tablet working for a while but when you have one person fill up a wagon full of merchandise it makes things take longer.

She must have taken 15 minutes. Also when you have people trying on shirts or not knowing what they want it hurts.

First off they need to turn the Merch trailer 90 degrees. That way it faces everyone so they can see what’s inside.

Secondly on show days, limits on everything. Need more? Back of the line. Keep things moving.

Third. Accept cash so if there’s a tech issue you can still rely on that.

Just my 2 cents

This👆

WindowPaine · September 2023

Merch lines have gotten increasingly ridiculous.

It reached a peak for me in 2018. I was at the seattle shows and during night 1 went for a bathroom break during the show and the merch line in the concourse wrapped around half the stadium, maybe more. DURING the show.

what's wrong with everyone?

the day after seattle 2 they had a merch tent, mainly for the setlist shirt from the night before. I watched a guy try to buy maybe ALL of the shirts and promptly got kicked out and refused service at all by guy running everything. haha.

pj fans need to get a grip on the merch. for real. go enjoy the show.

RatherStarved · September 2023

WindowPaine said:

Merch lines have gotten increasingly ridiculous.

It reached a peak for me in 2018. I was at the seattle shows and during night 1 went for a bathroom break during the show and the merch line in the concourse wrapped around half the stadium, maybe more. DURING the show.

what's wrong with everyone?

the day after seattle 2 they had a merch tent, mainly for the setlist shirt from the night before. I watched a guy try to buy maybe ALL of the shirts and promptly got kicked out and refused service at all by guy running everything. haha.

pj fans need to get a grip on the merch. for real. go enjoy the show.

Agreed. I killed an hour in the inside line before the show and pulled the chute at 8:00 to get some drinks and get settled in.

And at the end of the show, a merch kiosk was still up and I was able to get something I wanted. But I would never miss any of the show just to buy this stuff.

And in a million years I would never spend 6 hours in 90 degree weather for the opportunity to overpay on these things.

bicyclejoe · September 2023

risris said:

Todays Merch Line was frustrating to say the least. I waited 4 and a half hours. Yes there was the outside issue of only one tablet working for a while but when you have one person fill up a wagon full of merchandise it makes things take longer.

She must have taken 15 minutes. Also when you have people trying on shirts or not knowing what they want it hurts.

First off they need to turn the Merch trailer 90 degrees. That way it faces everyone so they can see what’s inside.

Secondly on show days, limits on everything. Need more? Back of the line. Keep things moving.

Third. Accept cash so if there’s a tech issue you can still rely on that.

Just my 2 cents

SO ... how was the show?

akdohe · September 2023

Curious what time did you get in line? I'm thinking of going today, but am working and live on the north side so I'm hesitant to drive all the way down to UC and see the line is four hours deep. TIA

jwc6160 · September 2023

WindowPaine said:

Merch lines have gotten increasingly ridiculous.

It reached a peak for me in 2018. I was at the seattle shows and during night 1 went for a bathroom break during the show and the merch line in the concourse wrapped around half the stadium, maybe more. DURING the show.

what's wrong with everyone?

the day after seattle 2 they had a merch tent, mainly for the setlist shirt from the night before. I watched a guy try to buy maybe ALL of the shirts and promptly got kicked out and refused service at all by guy running everything. haha.

pj fans need to get a grip on the merch. for real. go enjoy the show.

Same for me. My wife was determined and waiting in line. About 20 minutes before the show, I said no way. The line inside stretched all the way around as far as I could see with like 20 minutes before show time. I just don't get how people would miss the actual show for a shirt or poster that said you were there? Were you actually there if you missed most of the show?

I did wait way too damn long at the merch tent the next day though. It did make the drinks later on at Sub Pop 30 way better, but i'll never do it again.

risris · September 2023

akdohe said:

Curious what time did you get in line? I'm thinking of going today, but am working and live on the north side so I'm hesitant to drive all the way down to UC and see the line is four hours deep. TIA

I got on line at 12:15. I think it’ll be quieter today and smoother.

risris · September 2023

bicyclejoe said:

risris said:

Todays Merch Line was frustrating to say the least. I waited 4 and a half hours. Yes there was the outside issue of only one tablet working for a while but when you have one person fill up a wagon full of merchandise it makes things take longer.

She must have taken 15 minutes. Also when you have people trying on shirts or not knowing what they want it hurts.

First off they need to turn the Merch trailer 90 degrees. That way it faces everyone so they can see what’s inside.

Secondly on show days, limits on everything. Need more? Back of the line. Keep things moving.

Third. Accept cash so if there’s a tech issue you can still rely on that.

Just my 2 cents

SO ... how was the show?

Amazing as always

risris · September 2023

WindowPaine said:

Merch lines have gotten increasingly ridiculous.

It reached a peak for me in 2018. I was at the seattle shows and during night 1 went for a bathroom break during the show and the merch line in the concourse wrapped around half the stadium, maybe more. DURING the show.

what's wrong with everyone?

the day after seattle 2 they had a merch tent, mainly for the setlist shirt from the night before. I watched a guy try to buy maybe ALL of the shirts and promptly got kicked out and refused service at all by guy running everything. haha.

pj fans need to get a grip on the merch. for real. go enjoy the show.

Agreed. The line was moving ok yesterday but when we got to where they split into the Merch trailer line or to go inside the atrium I chose poorly. I chose the trailer.

Probably added 1 -1.5 hours to my stay there because of people buying literal wagons of Merch and the technical issue.

I was expecting up to 2 hours but I was lucky to be around some good people and we made the most of it.

I’m just glad I had lunch before I got there.

pledgeagrievance · September 2023

Man people missing the actual show inside for merch? I can’t fathom that. Insane

lastexitlondon · September 2023

It's gone way too far already to turn back

tdawe · September 2023

WindowPaine said:

Merch lines have gotten increasingly ridiculous.

It reached a peak for me in 2018. I was at the seattle shows and during night 1 went for a bathroom break during the show and the merch line in the concourse wrapped around half the stadium, maybe more. DURING the show.

what's wrong with everyone?

the day after seattle 2 they had a merch tent, mainly for the setlist shirt from the night before. I watched a guy try to buy maybe ALL of the shirts and promptly got kicked out and refused service at all by guy running everything. haha.

pj fans need to get a grip on the merch. for real. go enjoy the show.

I had the exact same experience at Wrigley N1 2016. When I saw the line (during the set!) on my way to the bathroom, I resolved then and there to never fuck with the merch situations at PJ shows.

I’ve broken that rule once - at SHN we got there pretty early in the day and spent ~45 minutes on the line (got everything everyone in the group wanted, except the infamous stickers). Last year I went to two shows - MSG and Louisville - spent 0 minutes in merch lines, and was able to get t-shirts and posters for both shows from Lost Dogs at reasonable prices afterwards. But even if I hadn’t been able to get that stuff from the community, I still wouldn’t trade the time I spent those days (watching football with my brother & friends, and drinking bourbon & watching bands, respectively) for yet another Pearl Jam t-shirt and poster.

Some people seem to genuinely enjoy the merch line experience for its own sake, and that’s cool - I’m not here to yuck anybody’s yum - but I personally just can’t justify it. Especially if it’s taking you away from the show itself.

akdohe · September 2023

risris said:

akdohe said:

Curious what time did you get in line? I'm thinking of going today, but am working and live on the north side so I'm hesitant to drive all the way down to UC and see the line is four hours deep. TIA

I got on line at 12:15. I think it’ll be quieter today and smoother.

Thanks! Left home at 10:45am, got in line around 11:12am, back home by 12:45pm! Total time in line a little less than an hour. Best merch line experience so far!

mcgruff10 · September 2023

Presale online buying option is the way to go. I don’t understand why they don’t do this. They get 1,000 orders for a shirt, make a thousand shirts.

lastexitlondon · September 2023

mcgruff10 said:

Presale online buying option is the way to go. I don’t understand why they don’t do this. They get 1,000 orders for a shirt, make a thousand shirts.

Bingo. Absolute sence. Only thing stopping it is them.

tschav · September 2023

mcgruff10 said:

Presale online buying option is the way to go. I don’t understand why they don’t do this. They get 1,000 orders for a shirt, make a thousand shirts.

I'm betting they make a ton on all the things you impulse buy after waiting in line for hours... extra shirts, stickers, buttons, etc. If there was just a line for posters you wouldn't see nearly as long a line for all the other items.

mace1229 · September 2023

I agree about the cash. Have all prices include tax (which they might already do? A lot of places used to do that anyway) so it all comes out to an even number. I'd rather just hand over $40 in cash than deal with a credit card in a long line. Keeps everything moving.
I'm guessing they are worried about staring the cash, having to deposit it somewhere or just people not knowing how to do basic math and give out correct change?
I love it when I go somewhere and my total is $19.05, so I hand them a $20 bill and a nickel. Then they look at me so confused, give me the nickel back, then give me 95 cents in change for my twenty. Basic math and concept of calculating change is a real problem.

RatherStarved · September 2023

mace1229 said:

I agree about the cash. Have all prices include tax (which they might already do? A lot of places used to do that anyway) so it all comes out to an even number. I'd rather just hand over $40 in cash than deal with a credit card in a long line. Keeps everything moving.
I'm guessing they are worried about staring the cash, having to deposit it somewhere or just people not knowing how to do basic math and give out correct change?
I love it when I go somewhere and my total is $19.05, so I hand them a $20 bill and a nickel. Then they look at me so confused, give me the nickel back, then give me 95 cents in change for my twenty. Basic math and concept of calculating change is a real problem.

Agree on the last part.

Scenes from todays Merch Line(What I saw)

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