No More Merchandising Rip-offs!

[WarlockUK]

This year at Bloodstock I'd like to see no more rip-off merchants at the merch. sections.

The CD/TShirt prices are the highest I've ever seen anywhere.

Shit, HIGH STREET prices are cheaper than those guys - £18 for a short sleeve shirt that would cost under £10 at, say, Wacken or Dynamo (or a normal shop)?

Even merch at gigs in London isn't that pricey. This year, guys, sort it out. We like to pick up a shirt or cd or two at festivals and gigs, but charging those prices is just taking the piss.

 

[Eagle]

I think that's down to the individual trader and not the organizers. I actually thought the Official Merchandise was good value and the CDs I bought were all less then a tenner each.

 

[MentaLee]

Originally posted by WarlockUK
The CD/TShirt prices are the highest I've ever seen anywhere.

You've obviously not been to that many events then.

 

[WarlockUK]

Nope, been to loads of gigs and festivals - though UK festivals are renowned for fucking the punters through the arsehole. It's probably down to priced vendors are charged. Seriously, go to Wacken or Dynamo or something and you'll notice the difference (even though the prices are now in bloody Euros)

The 2nd hand CDs weren't bad and stuff. Just the new shirt prices were ludicrous.

It's probably those fucking rip-off merchants Amust4music again - or has nobody noticed that Return To The Sabbat aren't on the list this year?

 

[Bloodstock]

Warlock

Please explain where/how Amust4music are rip-off merchants?

 

[Baletempest]

Yeah you really haven't been to that many gigs, of cores they're gonna be cheeper at Waken, pounds are worth 1.5(ish) euros, but you are gonna see very few SS's for less than £12 off any major merch. distributor, at the end of the day no-one is forceing you to buy, I don't mind paying extra to keep my favorite bands afloat (they're never going to sell a million albums, not even Slayer have sold platinum for a single album so how are MDB or Zyklon or Decapitated gonna fare...

Remember Earthtone9

 

[WarlockUK]

Well for ages the standard has ranged from 9.99/12.99 for a short sleeved shirt to 15.99-19.99 for a long sleeve (which means we pay more for our shit than most countries).

Usually at gigs the prices drop a smidge 'cos the bands are selling them direct and stuff. No problem.

But at Bloodstock on some of the stalls we're talking £20 for a short sleeve and £35+ for hoodies. That's just taking the piss. They can keep pushing up the price and you guys can say "well, i'll pay that to wear a shirt by a band" but that just ignores the fact we're getting FUCKED on price. Yes, I paid £20 for a Darkthrone shirt I've spent five years trying to find. Doesn't mean I have to accept the assramming for a shirt that cost less than £3 to make.

My point isn't that they're cheaper at Wacken or Dynamo per se. It's that we're paying 20 quid. For a fucking tshirt.

Hell, we're paying £15 and up in the high street for CDs. That's taking the piss, too - there's no WAY the price should have been allowed to sneak that high.

 

[cyberfella]

u got a good point, but it all depends on where u buy from. I have found many a good album at a good price on the net. As for band merch that is generaly expensive for what it is, but you can always find some bargains lurking about in the shadows

Just my two cents, but at the minute america is pissin me off so its my two pennys!

 

[wolves-crew]

Like other people have if you don't like the prices don't buy the merchandise, nobody's forcing you to buy anything!
On the subject of cd's, I don't know whereabouts you are in the UK but you should try your smaller independant record shops, if you're anywhere near the midlands I know an excellent one who knows the music and doesn't rip you off on either cds or t-shirts and he does mail order!

 

[WarlockUK]

Oh, don't get me wrong. I do know good places to get merchandise and CDs from. My whole point stems from the prices at bloodstock being 50-100% over the odds, depending on the stand. Last I heard it was something to do with prices vendors were charged or something.

Some of the stands were pretty cool, such as the Earache stand selling DVDs and stuff, but that dude in the corner last year selling the shirts and stuff had prices that really did take the piss...

...and for a lot of us it was the only gig in a couple of months we could make, so we ended up deciding which two T-shirts we wanted with our 40 quid. Most of the time you'll see something while you're there, like I got a Black short-sleeve Darkthrone shirt with Black writing, but end up having to pay £20 for it (like I did).

 

[elvenking]

i bought my elvenking tshirt for 10quid at bloodstock 2002. rip off? i think not! the amust4music website wasnt overpriced at all in my opinion..go down to hmv and if you're lucky enough to find one of those bands(i doubt they have a huge selection of freedom call really!) you'd have to pay 16.99 for it! the blind guardian albums for quite a bit cheaper on their website than hmv or virgin....thats my opnion anyways...seems people dont agree...

 

[dragonmaiden]

Have to agree with you here Elvenking...I have bought a number of CDs from the Bloodstock site for the simple reason that they are much cheaper. I usually buy from abroad due to lack of availability here in the UK. I have also bought other items such as T-shirts and posters and have been really happy with all of them. I think WarlockUK's gripe is with the Metal Market vendors rather than Must4Music and I can't see that Vince & Co would have much influenece over their prices.

 

[wolfhoff]

Last year I bought a Blind Guardian shirt for a Tenner which I thought was reasonable and a couple of Bloodstock things for Twenty which was also good value for a British gig. The other Traders seemed okay but I cant see how the Bloodstock crew have any influence on their prices so dont pay the high prices and the so say rip-off merchants dont get your hard-earned.
The other point about Euro gigs is true but unfortunately this is Britain where everything is expensive. Over the last few years I have been to see a few gigs on the Continenent and it hurts to see the prices they pay for Merch. but you do have to either respect the Exchange Rate etc or go mad!. Failing that you could emigrate to say Germany where a new release cd is priced @ £8.
If you have been to any of the UK gigs put on by the Euro. contingent i.e. Primal Fear , UDO , Doro , Stratovarius etc you will see that they charge a very fair price for their stuff.
No, in my mind Bloodstock merch. was very well priced but you may well have to be wary of Traders attending of which Vince etc have no Control on the prices they charge. It still beats the £25 wanted for a Long-Sleeve by Deep Purple last year!!.
p.s. Not a Swear word used , not once , just an opinion expressed.