dawezl
Junior Member
Chipmunks beware...
Posts: 21 
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Post by dawezl on Nov 3, 2013 12:08:45 GMT -5
Sidestepping the obviously contentious fulfillment issues and premium costs involved with the VIP packages, I thought it would be interesting to discuss whether the perks are well suited towards BNL fans. I've done VIP Gold on 3-4 tours now, and while I appreciate not having to lug around a poster during the show, where it will inevitably get crumpled, torn, etc, I am not a huge fan of getting posters and other stuff shipped to my house separately. If I was organizing the packages, I think I'd provide the fans with a credit to the merch stand for them to pick out their own souvenirs. To me, the plus of this arrangement is that most folks want to bring something to be signed anyway, so why should the band have to spend extra time signing a pile of posters as well and then spend money to ship them out? Also, it means they don't have to spend money producing different merchandise for the VIP packages, and there'd certainly be people like me who wouldn't bother grabbing anything at most shows bc we're buying the packages for the tickets, not the perks.
Of the perks from previous tours, I think the things I liked the best were the hockey puck from this current tour and the guitar picks--the puck was fun and different, while the picks were small and easy to pass along to other fans. The laminates are fun to have signed when they arrive before the show, but that's been a bit inconsistent (and the latest laminates don't include cords to wear them at the show). My least favorite perks have been the clothing and the posters, mostly because I would never go for either as souvenirs in the first place.
I would, however, change my tune if the next go-round had another bowling shirt. I had to retire my Barenaked Roadtrip bowling shirt so that it wouldn't get damaged, and I miss wearing it!!! 
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Post by Jeannie on Nov 4, 2013 14:12:39 GMT -5
I really like the idea of a credit for merch, but I would prefer it at the online store. I usually bring some item with me to have signed, and it is not what is sent with the VIP package.
Honestly, though, I would most prefer having a VIP package that just had the front row seats and the meet & greet. I have enough swag that has been accumulated over the years, I really don't need anything else!
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dawezl
Junior Member
Chipmunks beware...
Posts: 21
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Post by dawezl on Nov 4, 2013 14:18:19 GMT -5
I thought of that bc I'm of the same mind as you, but based on the shows I've been to, most of the VIP folks seem to be more casual fans. I think they like getting the goodies as part of the deal.  |
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Post by Jeannie on Nov 4, 2013 14:22:55 GMT -5
Very true! Maybe 2 levels of VIP Gold then, swag vs non-swag. We get the same seats and same m&g, but one gets the goodies and one does not! |
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Post by TheHYPO on Nov 18, 2013 17:22:26 GMT -5
I don't care what the perks are; I wish to God they'd go back to the system that briefly existed where you could buy any ticket in the venue and THEN if you wanted VIP, pay a separate charge to upgrade to it. I am really irritated that I have to pay $250 bucks to get a front row seat these days, especially since it means "paying for" a bunch of trinkets I don't really need - particularly when I'm going to multiple shows with my wife - I don't need six signed posters, six wristbands, six scarfs, etc, and I'm perfectly happy in most venues to meet and greet on my own after the show by the busses. Unfortunately these days I'm stuck with the VIP, and in my view it's actually costing the band some of my money. If I could get good seats for proper 'face' value (i.e. 60-90 bucks), I'd be far more likely to go to more of their shows and travel a bit further than if it is costing me 250 bucks per seat - or 500 bucks for a pair.
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Post by reblyn811 on Nov 20, 2013 9:28:39 GMT -5
I don't mind getting a few collectibles, but yes, when you go with your spouse you end up with two of everything. I think the band could save time by not autographing the posters, then maybe sell posters at the merch booth if you really want one. Then you could get it autographed at the meet & greet and not end up with two? However, I love the guitar picks. Those are so small they can just stick them in with your tickets. I personally thought the scarves were really bizarre.
The perk that looks really cool to me is the sound check listening party that they are offering for the UK tour. Now I would enjoy that! I would like to see more perks like that.
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Post by TheHYPO on Nov 20, 2013 12:18:13 GMT -5
I don't mind getting a few collectibles, but yes, when you go with your spouse you end up with two of everything. I think the band could save time by not autographing the posters, then maybe sell posters at the merch booth if you really want one. Then you could get it autographed at the meet & greet and not end up with two? However, I love the guitar picks. Those are so small they can just stick them in with your tickets. I personally thought the scarves were really bizarre. The perk that looks really cool to me is the sound check listening party that they are offering for the UK tour. Now I would enjoy that! I would like to see more perks like that. I didn't even know they were doing soundcheck for VIP in the UK. That's a much better perk, for me personally. I would love extra music. They used to do those for radio contest winners. I think I've been to a soundcheck at least twice and it's awesome. As for the other perks, don't get me wrong, I don't mind guitar picks as a perk (or a scarf or even a poster), but my point is that I don't need 7 of them. I'd like to be able to control how many times I have to pay for the perks and not be forced by wanting a good seat to get multiple copies. Guitar picks is actually one of my favourite perks so far. I love a music-themed item that is actually something the band uses onstage (albiet the souvenir picks are only used to toss to fans, but it's a real item people already covet/seek out that wasn't created just for VIP). I usually am able to get the picks the old fashioned way, but that doesn't stop me from appreciating it as a perk... |
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Post by FadeToGrey on Nov 24, 2013 12:02:02 GMT -5
Have never been tempted to do a meet and greet or pay extra for collectibles, but a sound check listening party is interesting.
Had the good timing to listen to sound check in Bethlehem PA a month ago through the door that led from their buses to the stage. Getting to view sound check up front and center would be awesome!!
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Post by cherrybee on Nov 28, 2013 13:05:45 GMT -5
Hi, I've just been on vip to the Leeds gig on Tuesday, the soundcheck party was great, it was like having a mini concert of our own,they were great (as always), it was fab. I'd definitely recommend. So hopefully they'll decide to do that back over the water for you guys Sent from my HTC One X using proboards |
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Post by Jeannie on Nov 28, 2013 15:19:14 GMT -5
Sounds like the soundcheck would be something that everyone agrees on. We will have to lobby for this here is the US next time!
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Post by reblyn811 on Nov 29, 2013 16:28:42 GMT -5
Yes, let's lobby for it! A sound check party sounds like the best VIP perk of all!
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Post by TheHYPO on Dec 3, 2013 9:57:05 GMT -5
*The only caveat is that soundcheck may not be a viable option for some people and it may be a wasted perk - if a concert was on a weekday, I'd have a hard time making it most places in time for soundcheck which is typically at... if I recall correctly... 5-ish? That's the only downside I see
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Post by geezabird on Dec 3, 2013 14:30:58 GMT -5
We went VIP at Birmingham on Sunday. The sound check was great. But as you say, it was 4-5:30 so that would mean weekdays may be a bit of a pain.
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Post by tulipandthistle on Dec 4, 2013 14:33:44 GMT -5
We went VIP at Birmingham on Sunday. The sound check was great. But as you say, it was 4-5:30 so that would mean weekdays may be a bit of a pain. Do they come and have a chat with everybody? How many VIP tickets are there? I am so going to save up for the next time they come to Dublin. |
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Post by geezabird on Dec 4, 2013 15:10:37 GMT -5
We went VIP at Birmingham on Sunday. The sound check was great. But as you say, it was 4-5:30 so that would mean weekdays may be a bit of a pain. Do they come and have a chat with everybody? How many VIP tickets are there? I am so going to save up for the next time they come to Dublin. Yeah they came and spoke to everyone, signed something for everyone, take pictures with you individually if you want it. I don't know how much it is limited to but there was probably about 30 of us. I would most definitely recommend it. |
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