VIP passes

[Rumpelstiltskin2000]

20 hours ago, lizziebix said:

Ryan mentioned that he didn't get a sandwich voucher with his VIP package for the AZ show though!!  Sad.

We live in troubled times...

[solongfromthestars]

I do feel it's a rip off for $400 and I don't personally agree with it being sold. But then I do understand why people are buying it just for the early entry. If someone just can't line up, it might be worth $400 to be on the front row when they couldn't otherwise, especially if they're only going to one show or it's a special occasion.

I bought it for my mum because it's super unlikely they'll ever play on her birthday again, and I didn't want her stuck behind the VIPs for that experience. So my main reason for buying was so she couldn't be fucked over by it, which is very annoying. But then she's not my age and she doesn't want to stand around all day, so it'll be really nice for her not to worry about that. I kind of hate myself for paying $400 for a ticket right now, but when I know she enjoyed it, it'll have been well worth it.

...unless she doesn't get the Subway footlong

[Rumpelstiltskin2000]

14 minutes ago, Maria Gloria said:

...unless she doesn't get the Subway footlong

... then I'll be broken ...

Honestly (and as I think I've said before) - if I had enough disposable income (and because I do shit all else except, don't laugh, maybe go to the odd classical ballet once a year!) I'd pay VIP so I didn't have to line up mega early and hang around all day. 

I also feel that a lot of the band's fans have been around a while by now and perhaps have jobs/family and for one reason or another just can't line up super early (and are only going to one show) and they just can't line up mega early but don't want a seat either.

Don't forget some people are buying the VIP because they've been fucked over one too many times after lining up.

I'm pretty sure as others have said that the band didn't have any say in whether or not the VIP packages were a "thing" but it was their tour management as other bands have been doing the same thing.

[Hermione]

I think most bands do a meet and greet when fans are paying hundreds though? Or at least soundcheck? There simply isn't anything being offered there that justifies such a high price. Like, if the band didn't want to do anything extra towards it themselves why not make it $200? Especially when they used to do free early entry/soundcheck contests for their fanclub (which now does...nothing for the tour). If the band isn't up for doing "VIP" level extras that's fine but the trade off is they shouldn't be charging "VIP" level prices. The minimal extras they're offering should be at a lower price if they don't want to look like rip off merchants.

[DeJennsitized]

Considering you're not seeing the band at all then yeah, it is a LOT for what's being offered. I do wonder what went through the head of whoever decided the perks that made them think 'oh yes, something a hardcore fan willing to pay $400 will want or need...a (presumably unsigned) copy of the band's new album which is now a few months old!'

I'm not going to lie, I spend a fucktonne of money on Supernatural conventions, which offer photos up to the price of that VIP package. So I'm literally never going to judge someone for spending that kind of money on something they love. I'm just judging the organizers of the package  At least with my photos I'm actually meeting the stars - $400 for not even seeing the band or getting an autograph or something like that just seems ridiculous.

[Second favourite son]

17 minutes ago, Hermione said:

I think most bands do a meet and greet when fans are paying hundreds though? Or at least soundcheck? There simply isn't anything being offered there that justifies such a high price. Like, if the band didn't want to do anything extra towards it themselves why not make it $200? Especially when they used to do free early entry/soundcheck contests for their fanclub (which now does...nothing for the tour). If the band isn't up for doing "VIP" level extras that's fine but the trade off is they shouldn't be charging "VIP" level prices. The minimal extras they're offering should be at a lower price if they don't want to look like rip off merchants.

Yeah, of course it's fine for people to buy the $400 tickets if what they're getting is worth that to them - and to some people it will be.  The issue is that what the promoter is offering doesn't cost them anywhere near that amount to provide, they're charging fans well over the odds for the tickets with the sole intention of making a profit.  The only argument that I can conceivably see for the price being so high is to guarantee the exclusivity of these tickets.  We live in a capitalist society where better things cost more money, but the price should really be reflective of what you're getting rather than just a blatant attempt to generate revenue.

[Meliciraptor]

11 hours ago, Teenage Lush said:

it doesn't bother me that people are buying the VIP tickets, spend your money however you want. what bothers me is that they're being offered in the first place because it's such an obvious money grab. i don't think it's cool to take advantage of fans who want to be close to them by charging 400 dollars for that privilege and i always thought green day were better than that. 

i might be a little bitter  honestly as miserable as waiting in line can be, being there and meeting people all day is part of the green day experience imo

Personally I'm also against those VIP packages, same reasons as you mentioned. Still, in the end it all depends on how the fans who buy it feel about it: are they happy with what they got for their money or do they feel like they were ripped off. As long as there are fans who are willing to pay for VIP passes, bands will offer them. I'm also a member of the official Linkin Park fan club and things like early entry are free for members (and a membership is only 10 Dollars per year), also meet and greets are given away to the fan club members via a lottery (I've been a member since 2011 and won all meet and greets I RSVPed for). They don't charge extra for those things, which is pretty cool. A laminate costs 5 dollars (which you need to attend the meet and greet), so in my opinion the 400 USD for the Green Day VIP package are ridiculously high. 

 

 

[Hermione]

1 hour ago, Second favourite son said:

Yeah, of course it's fine for people to buy the $400 tickets if what they're getting is worth that to them - and to some people it will be.  The issue is that what the promoter is offering doesn't cost them anywhere near that amount to provide, they're charging fans well over the odds for the tickets with the sole intention of making a profit.  The only argument that I can conceivably see for the price being so high is to guarantee the exclusivity of these tickets.  We live in a capitalist society where better things cost more money, but the price should really be reflective of what you're getting rather than just a blatant attempt to generate revenue.

Maybe they decided "let's do a $400 VIP package" and went from there? The idea of doing meet and greets/other stuff involving the band themselves as part of it must've come up, I guess when the answer to that was no they decided to still go ahead with it and fill it up with sandwiches etc instead hoping no one would notice  

[WhiteTim]

for those who bought the tickets that's cool however saying that I'll add  

it's way overpriced for what the buyer is getting in return a 5 dollar subway voucher early access in (ok not a big deal for me but others maybe but still not 400 dollars worth) and a cd which you probably already own for this price they should include a meet and greet or autograph signing or something that brings them close to the band for a band that always talks about keeping tickets low for their fans it just feels like trying to gouge people out of their money with no work for them to actually do (as for the options thats in the package requires no extra work on their part) 

[DeJennsitized]

The thing is also, that despite it being extortionate, there's no reason for them to lower it if those tickets sell. From a business point of view, if people are buying them at that price then I doubt they'd want to lower it.

[sara_gd]

13 hours ago, Dirty Rotten Bastard said:

it's literally a ticket to the show, which is what $80? + early entry which is worth like another $20 if that + the album you already own $10 + a $5 subway + $20 of other shit. i'm all for people spending their money how they want, and if that's their favourite band great  (i mean the amount of money i've spent on green day in the past six months is ridiculous), but this vip package is an absolute rip off, especially when compared to what other bands offer for a similar (or cheaper) price. to spend $400 on one green day show is just dumb when the vip package doesn't offer anything worth anywhere near half the value. 

I agree, specially because early entry doesn't actually cost anything to them. But I think it all comes to how much people think early entry is worth. If for you it's $20, then of course VIP is a rip-off. But for someone who might not enjoy lining up or who can't for any reason, it may be worth the $400 alone. I don't know if many people who bought VIP actually think that early entry is worth $400 or if they feel ripped off, but my point is that it wouldn't be worth $20 for them. 

[Hermione]

1 hour ago, Jenn. said:

The thing is also, that despite it being extortionate, there's no reason for them to lower it if those tickets sell. From a business point of view, if people are buying them at that price then I doubt they'd want to lower it.

Well there is the looking like greedy rip off merchants thing . The profit probably outweighs that in this case but if they kept doing similar things or pushed it further it could negatively impact the band's public image. They're known for keeping prices reasonable and treating fans fairly and it wouldn't be good to spoil that.

[DeJennsitized]

2 hours ago, Hermione said:

Well there is the looking like greedy rip off merchants thing . The profit probably outweighs that in this case but if they kept doing similar things or pushed it further it could negatively impact the band's public image. They're known for keeping prices reasonable and treating fans fairly and it wouldn't be good to spoil that.

I don't really know how much of a hand the band actually have in these things but I dunno if some really expensive 'VIP' packages would affect their image that much. That's just from convention experience where the company charge similarly ridiculous prices - but as much as people complain and declare they're boycotting etc; as long as there are people who do pay the price then there's no incentive to make it more affordable. If no one's actually buying them, then they might reconsider.

[Teenage Kicks!]

20 hours ago, Scattered Wreck said:

Whether the $400 is worth it for the VIP is personal preference.  You may not personally feel that it is worth it, but someone else may feel that it is.  How one individual chooses to spend their money is their choice and they shouldn't be judged on it.  

I wish people in the non vip line would learn this.

I made the mistake apparently of announcing I was looking for vip and BOOOOOOOOOOY you would of thought I cursed some of them out. Geez

I think it was worth it to me because I am one of those people who wait outside at 5am. That's why I bought it. To not have to  

[BigE1023]

If it gave me a chance to meet the band I would be all over it but as it stands right now it's a total rip-off.  Early entry is a nice perk but for over $300 less I can probably stand 10 feet behind the barricade by just lining up a few hours early.

Come on Green Day you are better than this!

[UNICORN VOMIT]

3 hours ago, Teenage Kicks! said:

 

I think it was worth it to me because I am one of those people who wait outside at 5am. That's why I bought it. To not have to  

Especially in freezing temps 

 

[Dirty Rotten Bastard]

16 hours ago, sara_gd said:

I agree, specially because early entry doesn't actually cost anything to them. But I think it all comes to how much people think early entry is worth. If for you it's $20, then of course VIP is a rip-off. But for someone who might not enjoy lining up or who can't for any reason, it may be worth the $400 alone. I don't know if many people who bought VIP actually think that early entry is worth $400 or if they feel ripped off, but my point is that it wouldn't be worth $20 for them. 

i just meant that's actually what it's worth in terms of how much more it costs on tickets where it's sold separately. there's no way vip is ever worth $400 and i'm sorry anybody who even tries to justify that is just dumb. it's completely stupid. 

[Joe.]

Blink's cheapest VIP for over here was £150 - soundcheck, early entry and a free hoodie. I regret not buying it

[solongfromthestars]

There's definitely no way it's worth $400 in terms of literal costs to the band, and I'm pretty disgusted at their management for exploiting fans who are desperate for front row like that. They wouldn't lose anything by charging $200 max which would still be too much for me, but I wouldn't be as annoyed then because it's much fairer. But is it still worth paying that inflated price for the early entry to some people? Totally, and it's shitty that people have already experienced others being hostile about it. Anyone who feels that way needs to blame the management, not the fans who bought it.

[blueshadows]

I mean I agree that 400 is a lot for what it's worth to me. But I can afford to line up a long time if I wanted to be at the front, but some people can't (not healthy enough, other commitments etc..) so it could be their best chance to be as close to the band as possible so it might be worth it to them.

I really think that GD's base price for their shows are really cheap compared to other artist (if i look at prices of shows in my city, Bruno Mars tickets are double the price,  Maroon 5's, Red Hot Chili Peppers', and One Republic's tickets are around 1.5 times as expensive as GD's, just for some examples).

So I suppose to make up for that, VIP tickets are sold... Some other artist also offer the VIPs on top of their more expensive price. VIP tickets are pretty common nowadays.

I mean I agree the VIP thing is quite annoying for music fans, but for us GD fan I don't think it's that bad. 

[sara_gd]

10 hours ago, Dirty Rotten Bastard said:

i just meant that's actually what it's worth in terms of how much more it costs on tickets where it's sold separately. there's no way vip is ever worth $400 and i'm sorry anybody who even tries to justify that is just dumb. it's completely stupid. 

But they never sold early entry separately. At the most we can compare it with early entry for other bands of their type, but it's very subjective anyway. So we can't know the price of its "benefits" separately really. For the public I mean. What we can know is the cost for them, which is nearly nothing. Anyway, I think most people agree that the... say $350, just for early entry, is too much, so imo it's abusive to put that price up for desperate fans to buy them thinking it's too much.

[letsdanceon]

I think the VIP packages are ridiculous and management should be ashamed for taking advantage of fans like that. Sure, there's people willing to pay it, but I doubt they're happy about it.

also, for being one of the biggest/best rock bands currently active, Green Day has a pretty piss-poor fan club. Even in the last 90s/early 00s they would send exclusive things through snail mail like promotional stickers and postcards. These days you get pretty much nothing 😐

I just think that they could do so much better...we know they care about their fans and put so much effort into other things like live shows, etc

[Dirty Rotten Bastard]

1 hour ago, sara_gd said:

But they never sold early entry separately. At the most we can compare it with early entry for other bands of their type, but it's very subjective anyway. So we can't know the price of its "benefits" separately really. For the public I mean. What we can know is the cost for them, which is nearly nothing. Anyway, I think most people agree that the... say $350, just for early entry, is too much, so imo it's abusive to put that price up for desperate fans to buy them thinking it's too much.

in europe they do though, and that's how much it is. plus, you wouldn't pay more for early entry than you did for the actual ticket...
i worked it out and with all the money i've spent on 41 shows this year, i would only have got 7/8 vip tickets. like if that doesn't show how stupid the entire concept is idk what

[sara_gd]

16 minutes ago, Dirty Rotten Bastard said:

in europe they do though, and that's how much it is. plus, you wouldn't pay more for early entry than you did for the actual ticket...
i worked it out and with all the money i've spent on 41 shows this year, i would only have got 7/8 vip tickets. like if that doesn't show how stupid the entire concept is idk what

That's early entry for 500 tickets though  This is 100 maximum. There's an "exclusivity". 

I agree that it's abusive. But for many people it's worth more than $20, specially when that's what you would pay here for Golden Circle / Early Entry when it's much less special. 

[tinamariek4]

On 3/6/2017 at 7:23 AM, Hermione said:

I think most bands do a meet and greet when fans are paying hundreds though? Or at least soundcheck? There simply isn't anything being offered there that justifies such a high price. Like, if the band didn't want to do anything extra towards it themselves why not make it $200? Especially when they used to do free early entry/soundcheck contests for their fanclub (which now does...nothing for the tour). If the band isn't up for doing "VIP" level extras that's fine but the trade off is they shouldn't be charging "VIP" level prices. The minimal extras they're offering should be at a lower price if they don't want to look like rip off merchants.

I will say that, while lots of bands charge mega bucks for meet and greet, there are some who do it on the cheap.  All Time Low, for example, offer meet and greets (on their headlining tours- not when they are a support/ opening band as they were with Blink 182) to their Hustler Club members when they get their early access tickets.  I know that the show they are doing in my town you can buy tickets for the show/ signing for $37, show only is like $27 pre-sale.  I know it's not a super personal experience, but I think it's a nice nod to the hardcore fans.  I wish the Idiot Nation would do something like this as well.