Just for some clarification/corrections on some things in this video that came up after the fact: 1] Pertaining to 08:35, a representative of the Agora told me that the band's merch manager was NOT at the table all night telling people not to tip the sellers, but he WAS there at the end of the show doing that and pushing their QR code to fans instead. 2] The same person told me that neither of the opening bands on the tour wanted anything to do with the situation and were very pleasant to work with.
All the more reason why we would rather just not have merch tables at all. Not that we find it unfair that the venue staff makes more money or whatever but we would rather keep our merch selling elsewhere like online or something just to avoid all the drama.
@@colonelhstinkmeaner8547😂 Amazon would be the WORST place to get merch. I think you all are missing the point here. Capitalism and corporate greed, if streaming services paid musicians and bands fairly the bands wouldn’t have the need to “survive” with their merch sales which is what it keeps them on float to be able to record and release new material. Bands/musicians do not make money out of putting music out anymore thanks to the streaming services. Now isn’t the fault of the band the venues don’t pay properly to their workers, y’all should stand up and fight for your rights by demanding a proper living wage and the tips should be a compliment to your wage not your salvation.
I'm an American and yeah this is excessive and weird, even by my standards, I've never tipped at anything besides a bar/restaurant and for some types of deliveries.
Thank you for shouting YOU SIGNED THE CONTRACT. There was always a period where all this was NEGOTIATED. Band attacking venues to angle-shoot their own contracts is just gross.
@@Robbie-uw2mp that may be true, but they still signed it. Nobody would blame them if the band said "hey guys, listen, we had to sign this contract, that doesn't sit right with us, but in order to play there we didn't have another choice. be aware of that", but they chose to say "the venue is bad, give money to us instead of the people who do the work"
You're wrong on all fronts, sure they signed a contract but a lot of this is non-negotiable and they don't exactly have options. Blame Live nation/ticket master for ruining the live experience.
@@getshwiftygaming447 Did you even read my comment? I didn't say that they had options, and it's perfectly fine to be unhappy about not having options. But they should be saying exactly that. When they lie about it and and just let their greed do the talking then they are no better than those they are criticizing?
Right?! You paid to be there. We paid $100/ticket for our last concert and I spent $100 for two pieces of merch. Consider everyone tipped at that point. But there was no tip option and I would not tip regardless.
Truly. I have never felt compelled to tip on a $45 shirt that cost them $7 to make. I especially don't even buy merch at shows anymore now that I know the venue gets a huge chunk. The $9.25 markup on the $10 beer isn't enough profit?
@@TheClownfight they use creative accounting and offshoring of profits to make it look like the aren't really doing that well. They'll happily tell Congress that they only make 25 cents on that beer after all the other costs are factored in. They don't tell them that $5 went to offshore entities for licences to use IP they already own but is held in a different tax jurisdiction. Oh and of Congress never ask because that's the system and it's the way they like it.
Merch is often paid a flat fee or daily rate. It's usually not too bad, but since its gig work (super inconsistent) tips are nice. This is NOT one of those $2 an hour because tipped situations.
Lmao you don't get what tips mean and imply tax wise. Hush. This isn't a normal 9 to 5 job. Also if you do a crap job, you don't get a tip. Plain and simple. Luckily this is about merchandise and is gig work. So they end up making more money that way with tips
Because...capitalism?! It's much more profitable for bosses to transfer the responsibility of a decent wage to the customer. Who gives a f*** about employees anyway, right? As a European, I was shocked to find out that tipping was mandatory in the US. Tipping should be a way to express gratitude for good service, and not to cover a boss's ass!
The tipping part is just a cover for the greed of the employer. The employer can save a few bucks an hour on a wage because the employee gets tips. It’s corporate greed, I see it up close and personal every day at my job. Anything to save a penny in expenses no matter in what the resulting dip in quality is. Seriously, I sit in meetings where there’s likely about $500 an hour in labor meeting. They’ll spend an hour $500 in order to save $100. They do it to justify the very existence of their job. It’s pathetic
@@Digitalhunny Blue Grape was the best, buy a Blot Thrower T and get a random poster of a band. I had the Sepultura Arise poser on my wall staring back at me for a month before I even herd them.
Im sorry but since when are people supposed to start tipping now even when buying a band tshirt? This American tip culture is getting out of hand. By buying the shirt you are already doing your "band support", why are you now supposed to tip as well? Do you tip when you walk into Hot Topic after buying a tshirt for 24.99? No. You give a tip because someone gives you constant attention for a period of time like in a restaurant. Why do I need to tip someone for handing me a tshirt that was sitting right next to them and a 30 second interraction at best? Ridiculous.
Imagine getting a job at a music venue, and they offer you some garbage-level wage but with the promise that you'll get lots of tips, since that venue always negotiates for venue-sell. Then imagine each band plasters a QR code in front of your tip jar and says "Hey fans, use this to tip _US_ instead of those greedy venues!" I'd quit.
@@williamboyle8918So are the people that get hired to sell a band's merch. What are the bands doing that they feel they need to take the tips of the people selling their merch for them?
@@williamboyle8918 Yes, they could, that doesn't change the fact that bands arent entitled to someone else's tips for doing a job for them. Whether employed directly through the band or the venue. You clown.
I'm against tip culture in general; people should know how much they're gonna be paid for the work they do at the point they are contracted to do the job. If they go above and beyond a bonus after the fact is the way to sort that. BUT, in places where tip culture is the norm, that tip is for that person right there doing the work. Managers/bands keep your damn hands off unless you are the one at the point of sales putting in the graft
@Azathoth43 no staff should be paid at least the legal minimum wage regardless of what the job entails. Tipping should be optional for anyone who feels they got excellent service. European countries don't do tipping, it can at times be seen a rude to do so. They also get paid properly too, unlike in USA.
As the frontman for a metal band, I can’t imagine begging for tips. We sell merch, but just asking for money for nothing is so gross to me. Only situation that is acceptable in is if you’re homeless.
@@Adamska_v1 Must be mainly in the US, because I've gone to shows for decades in Canada and have never seen - or, seen any importance placed on - tipping at the merch table. Usually I'd just pay my $25 for a t-shirt and done deal.
Most bands I see run their own merch tables or bring along a friend or partner to run the table. I've even seen some find someone at the show to do it during their set & pay them. Quite a few make their own merch themselves too. Keeps prices down. Last few shirts & records I bought at shows were somewhere around $15 +/- .... This BS here is crazy.
As a musician who supported other musicians by taking pay cuts exclusively off of tip jars: Not a single one EVER let me walk away with a larger payout than what was settled with the venue. HEADLINERS will always get the LION'S SHARE of every revenue stream EVERY SINGLE TIME. There's nothing democratic about distribution of spoils.
@@robroosemalen3551 uh? The most expensive T-Shirt I've seen was 40 euro at a festival which took 30%+VAT cut from merch, usually it's closer to 30. And not like 60 or whatever for a simple T-Shirt
It’s crazy venue don’t pay their workers, it’s unfair in both sides. Band is just starting and by any means they’re rich. Most of the material and albums they release is through the merch sales (or vinyls) due the very poor pay in the streaming services they receive (as most people use this services to listen to their music) Don’t try to blame the band when the bigger problem here is capitalism and corporate greed.
@@lilgothtaco you fucking blame the band when they wanna throw their merch sellers under the bus to the effect where they are starting to exploit the merch sellers
@@lilgothtaco well, neither the band or venue staff are gonna fix capitalism’s problems. In my eyes, the band certainly isn’t alleviating the problem by asking fans not to tip venue staff. Sucks for both of them, but one group shouldn’t make it worse for the other yknow
@@emolis8381they only said the merch tips should go to the touring members not the whole tips, then if sharing was the case, would the venue workers would be ok in sharing the bar tips they get while the gig occurs? And in a way everyone is complacent with capitalist and corporate greed by not uniting all and stand together against the system.
My two cents: whoever is physically behind the table selling the artist's wares should be the ones getting the tips. They are the ones putting the work into it. As much as I agree that the performers often get raw deals, why should someone hustle behind the table to give the tips away?
Why should they be getting tips in the first place, simply for taking your money? When you buy a hoodie at Hot Topic, do you tip the person who gets it down from where it's hanging on the wall?
@@adorabell4253 you dont have to tip, but the pay is not good and the count in and count out of all merch is not fun. bands want the venue staff because in the end to tour with that many people just for merch would be cost prohibitive for many bands.
It’s gotten out of control in the last few years. It wasn’t like this years ago. I guess economic pressures are making folks want a piece of a pie that they don’t really deserve. To be honest, I wouldn’t think about tipping a merch seller unless they did something out of the ordinary besides handing me a tshirt and taking my money.
@@michaelbush1180 This video seems to suggest that it's a complex situation sometimes, even for Americans. As a non-american, I don't know the wages of people working, so don't know who is or isn't on minimum wage. I don't know what jobs I'm supposed to tip people for, or how much is expected, who the tips go to etc. Would be easier if people just got paid a decent wage and tips weren't a thing.
How the fuck do these bands not think about how tips are handled in gastronomy? The band is like a restaurant's manager, and do they get a cut from the tips? At least not in the US and the majority of Europe. It's so weird how little self-awareness they have with their eyes set on the money.
I've been to a couple shows over the years here in Germany and I never really encountered tipping the merch staff. But given how different tipping culture in general is between Europe and the US it feels like that is a bigger problem for you guys. I'm not saying there is no tipping in Europe but definitely not to this extend. I just came home from a sorta festival and I saw a lot of bands have the same merch stuff they had during the tour / last year. Some smaller bands even sell the merch directly or use some of their fanclub members or friends and Familie. I've even seen Feuerschwanz/Dartagnan use friends and families. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying its not a problem but its not that big in Europe (or at least Germany) either. I feel like the bar staff gets more tips in Germany than the merch staff
Yeah, tipping culture is WAY bigger in the US, even with touring merch. I’ve seen some bands do it while touring in Europe, but nowhere near as much as in the US and North America.
This. If the shirt is 18.50, I _might_ hand them 20 and tell them to keep the change. If it is 20 to begin with, I'm not giving the person a tip for the great service of handing over a shirt.
Hi Tank! I was on a concert tonight in Germany. Not even got the first two bands the most space at the merch area. Instead the guitarist of the main band helped selling their merch while they were playing on stage and he was making ads for them! That's how it should work. Since you're familiar with German metal: I highly recommend The Ocean to you. Awesome band! You should do a reaction some time.
Concert merch at not-club venues is so expensive that I think I’m officially priced out of it. The tipping stuff has been going on since at least 2009 at club shows from what I recall. But I do remember when it was not-as-common for people to tip merch people in like 2017 or 2018; I gave a decent tip to Miss May I’s merch person. The guy spent like 10 minutes trying to find any one of their shirts that fit me (I’m a big ol’ boy) and their shirts were maybe $20 on that tour. I felt like not tipping would have been a massive dick move
Yes, this sounds like a reasonable situation to tip. They did something for you beside hand you a shirt and take payment, a sixty second transaction at worst. If they go out of their way and give great service, a tip is appropriate and I’m sure appreciated. But not for every simple transaction.
I went to Nashville last month for ffdp and they asked for tips for merch, food etc. I assumed it was going to the staff selling the stuff because they were working their butts off. It was a huge venue and those workers absolutely deserve whatever tips they got that night they looked overwhelmed. I saw multiple merch booths and the lines were crazy long, I finally snagged my stuff after the show. Tips absolutely should go to the workers
I was at the Powerwolf/UTA show and merch was being done wonderfully. No reason for movements to be such assholes about it. I know they let artists sell as well, when I saw Conquer Divide 2 years ago they were selling
To be fair to Movements, maybe they didn't know the entire story and were only told what their Merchandise Manager told them. Who knows? But we all know that there are multiple different sides to every story. Didn't want to make this about them, because it happens a lot and they're definitely not the first or last band that will post about stuff like this.
This is not a tipping situation.. why the hell would I tip for an overpriced Tee Shirt I just bought. This to me seems like a way to get people guilty about not tipping
tipping is always optional. but a lot goes into the daily build and tear down of a merch stand as well as managing inventory. its not just "grabbing a shirt".
Depends on how involved they are with the business side of their band. But their manager certainly will, and as a Tour Manager, I certainly see them before the tours even start.
You can tell the people who only listen to popular music in the comments asking why you'd tip after an expensive ticket. I saw an amazing show from The Spill Canvas. The guitarist and bassist ran the merch table both before and after their set, all the while meeting fans and signing the merch. I'd really love to see them again and hope they continue to make a living making music that I enjoy, so why would I be upset at a tipbox?
Nobody is suggesting you should be upset at a tip box. The asinine part is that tips are now expected. And nobody handing me a T-shirt is ever going to get a tip out of me. Ever.
@@UselessShyte "No one is suggesting you should be upset at a tip box, but I am upset at a tip box." I have never seen anyone get even a dirty look for not tipping. What I have seen is many many comments like yours or people complaining about ticket and merch prices while having a tip box. Once again, I want *insert smaller acts* to be able to continue to tour and not have to get 9-5s. Tip if you want. Don't tip if you want.
tip culture has become a pox on society. Tips used to only be for service jobs as it should. nowadays every worker thinks they are entitled to tips irregardless of the job they perform.
Tips used to be straight-up bribes. They were never a net positive for society for anyone other than whoever's got enough wealth and leverage to game the system.
THANK YOU TANK!! i have been a merch mgr for years and im so sick of bands stealing tips from vendors. happened just the other night. this industry is filled with entitled and toxic people. i hope vendors start labor disputes and maybe some better regulations will come out of it.
Its seriously insane how they can justify the idea of us tipping the Merch people who simply grab an item in the size you ask then turn around and ring you up it takes one minute in most cases. It comes down to the principle issue that corporations don't want to pay people right and in turn tell them they can make tips to justify the shitty wages. Which in turn hurts us consumers who wanna support our favorite bands who have to charge $50 a shirt to also make their own ends meet. I think im just goint to start ordering from bands website merch stores it sucks becuase it takes away from the concert experience but this shit is out of hand !
Each day and night the cotton tech lugs stacks of boxes, tables, display items, has to count each item in, end of show recounts each item, packs the boxes, tables and displays etc. they usually make the least amount of money in the camp, but are in charge of all the incoming merch sales. The bands don’t get paid off merch sales each night either. It’s not like they snooze all day, walk in and sell you a shirt. It’s not the mall. They put in a lot of work. When you’re living on a tour bus for months at a time, those tips are gold. That’s food/snacks on the road, puts money towards the rent in your empty apartment while living on a bus that long. You’re only seeing things as the end user. If you work in the music industry, I hope you get a chance to do a full US tour. You’ll see how hard working those merch techs are.
Tips for buying merch... that alone is a scam. The merch is already overpriced. I'm not tipping someone just to hand me a shirt from the pile behind the table and take my payment.
My issue with this is that if the band is selling their own merch, they're getting the tips. If someone else is working the booth, tips go to that person. I don't see the issue. This information should have all been in the contract for the show/venue with the band prior to the show. Why should a band get merch tips if they're not even working the booth? If the band's tour management hasn't discussed this kind of thing with the band, that's between them. None of this is the fault of the venue.
Exactly! The person working the booth is the one that should get the tips. I'm not big on tips in the first place, but I've worked at restaurants in the past so I know how that goes as far as wages and tip. Tip pools just blow my mind. The tip is supposed to be for the person giving you the service, not for the person slacking off while others bust their tails.
To be honest, I never ever buy merch at shows. I just order them online. All I do at shows is, standing in the row, then enjoy the show and when the show’s done, I go to the car and immediately leave. I’m a simple person.
that's your choice. but just so people know, obviously bands make less profit from online sales. well, at least on ones where they do free shipping. So buying directly at the show merch table (with cash) usually gives them the most profit
@@flaminghead1va I know that, but I do only buy what I need. And besides that, it’s way easier. And I don’t have the patience to wait a several months before I can buy a shirt.
@@flaminghead1va At the venue quite often they have to share parts of their merch sales with the venue. This doesn't apply to the bands own online merch shop.
I think the opening statement is really strange. If I tip I always assume the money will go to the person who sells me something and not to the person who employs the seller.
I used to be in a touring regional musical comedy act. I did a lot (stage act, percussion, sound tech, driver, and sales/merch). I never got tipped but I was paid extra on top of my daily wage to run the merch table. Most places we played didn't ask for a cut (only the Wisconsin state Fair and some casinos asked/was contracted). But this was 15 years ago. Also, it's illegal in a lot of states for non tipped employees to force tipped employees to share/pool tips. IT IS WAGE THEFT.
I'm sorry. But tips? Fucking tips? What won't you Americans demand tips for 😂. Tips for buying merch? That's crazy to me. I'm paying a fortune already for the £40 shirts which I'm buying at the £60 gig which charges £8 a pint. Now you want a tip too? Sorry. But this is just ridiculous to me. The whole tipping culture is ridiculous to me. If you can't afford to support yourself in your job, then you need a better employer. Because they should be paying you a living wage, not expecting the customer to fill the gaps they can't be arsed to pay
I'll be going to a show in Denver next month and will be bringing some cash for merch just in case I see something that isn't sold anywhere else but I'm not fond of loading up on stuff and carrying it around with me at a show anyway. Back before e-commerce and the internet not only was music distribution different but merch distribution was different. If bands don't like what happens at the venues with merch invest in a great web site and inventory. If you want a t-shirt or something else sold only to people who saw you live maybe have them enter a ticket code on the site to get exclusive stuff. That or put up with the problems with merch at venues and STFU or get a better contract.
I sometimes find out about a venue sell day of but is rarely an issue, Movements kinda set us back a little with this move. You sell the merch you get the tips.
Thank you so much for this video, Tank. Videos like these are right up there with my other favorites. I hate liars and hypocrites so when content like this comes out and teaches me something important and enlightening, it really does make my day. Thanks again!
Why shud tipping be an issue especially in gigiing its bad enuff we gotta deal with that "Pay2Play" bullshit nd givin the venue a % of our merch..is the venue that bad at gettin nd keepin peeps there that they hav to rip off the bands that play that shitty club..tipping is ridiculious,js
Well my last shirt cost 39 bucks, I gave them 40 and told them to keep the change. But still, even if I tipped at a merch table, why would I tip anybody else than the person that handled my business at the merch table?
Tank!!! Can you do a video on WHY merchandise at shows have gotten so damn expensive? I'm sure the venue has alot to do with it. Back when my band was touring (2005-2010), we sold EP's for $5, 2-3 colors shirts for $12, and Hoodies for $25. I've been to all ages venues with caps no bigger than 300, and shirts were like $35, with Hoodies being $55. WHY?!
@johnmmccrarary6712 My best guess boils down to two things: 1. Bands are still trying to make up for the $ Covid lock down cost them. 2. Inflation in general. Again, it's only a guess/observation. @TankTheTech What do you think?
Because people are still buying it and they know they can do it. To be fair, the cost of goods has gone up a bit since COVID. But not enough to raise prices $10-$15 per item.
Just a guess, but couldn"t be another reason that making money with music itself is much harder nowadays as Spotify etc. doesn't leave a profit like recorded mediums (CD, vinyl) did back in the day? The production of a show is also expensive, staff who additionally to the wage need to sleep, eat and travel, equipment, rent for locations and so on... Somehow the money has to be earned.
@@TankTheTech Thanks for the reply; I appreciate it. You're not wrong about the cost of goods rising after Covid. The thing about they know they know they can do it gives me the ick.
I swear tipping, as a concept, just kind of needs to go away... I have been spit-balling an idea with a bar-owner who is very right-wing and I figured out that if you gave your servers/workers a commission, say 5% instead of tips and jumped prices by 10%, you would not only incentivize your people to stay and work harder (she complains that tipping can generate $60 an hour on a good night so that is not a "feasible" hourly rate) I feel like this should be a happy compromise for everyone involved. Pay them a solid hourly wage and they get a commission on everything sold. This eliminates the concept of tipping as a practice but still incentivizes workers to continue working hard, giving good service and "chatting up" customers. these %'s are not solid and can be tweaked... there is nothing worse than getting a beer and a meal for $25 and ends up costing you $35 because they add tax and then base the tip off the after-tax price.
In fairness, streaming platforms have killed album sales revenue, and live nation and venues killing touring revenue. How are bands supposed to make money? People are getting a little greedy with their hand in the pot.
Most touring bands who are not selling out stadiums every night have their own staff that sell merch, including the bands themselves. You really have no idea what you're talking about.
I like some metal and punk nights I've been to. The bands set up their tables next to each other and there are always some members of a band, that aren't on stage, sitting at those tables hyping all the bands stuff up. "If you like ___ you should really get these guys debut demo here, the kids are great and watch them play later tonight!" If everyone is helping each other out then they will sell more and get to keep more of it.
Heading to the Agora soon. Thanks for the information. I always tip in cash! Hate these “cashless concerts” I don’t want an excuse of anyone taking away from the sellers for card fees etc!
Love it when the band works the merch table themselves. #1 coz its so cool to talk to them and #2 that way i know they are getting the tips. The two standouts were the guitar players from Tesseract many years ago and Kyle from Fallujah a few months ago.
My tipping policy: DON'T. I pay insanely jacked up prices on everything.. Everything costs 100% more than it used to 4 years ago, if you think im going to : A) suplimate your wages, B) voluntarily pay EVEN MORE $$$ on absurdly overpriced things, you got another thing coming! This entitlement of tips drives me crazy.. You DO NOT deserve extra money for (barely) doing your job.. If you're not making enough money, find a different job.. Not my problem.
@@kevinjordan6159 Bitch, I worked in those establishments for over 25 years! Keep the tips, I want better wages! (Not the California model though🙄) There's NO way a good line cook should only make 12.00$/ Hr
mm tips seems pretty reasonable for ppl working the table honestly not mad at that i even give a coffee server a tip if there service is good why wouldn’t these ppl get a tip eaither if you didn’t wanna tip staff you never should have signatures a contract and perform at that perticular venue don’t play at places that are unreasonable or you feel is not fair find somewhere else to play simple stop bitching there’s a ton more things band need to complaine about bs something they could have just avoided but playing somewhere else
…most festivals and arena shows provide staff to handle bands merchandise. In that case, the bands cotton tech and bands in general don’t see those tips. …don’t tip at festivals or arenas unless the bands staff is handling all that
I funnel my savings back to the artists by buying their music legally and attending their concerts. They are losing nothing when I wouldn’t be buying official merch at those prices.
I'll never support Movements for this. I've worked merch, I've worked as a tech, as crew. I've never once cared about tips if I wasn't running merch. I got paid more garunteed as tech/crew. I always thought merch got shafted because they have to deal with people more than everyone else. I also get tired of people bitching about contracts they agreed to. Athletes holding out because they got all the garanteed money up front, but now it's year 4 and their base salary is below where they are in the "pecking order" leaguewide. You signed it, play. Same with this. If the venue does the merch, they deserve the pay. If you think otherwise, you're despicable.
I know basically the entire crew and upper management of this venue, and I can 100% tell you that they WOULD NEVER do this, now have they ever done anything like this. ALSO….as far as I know, they do not use Venue staff to sell merch here, personally I’ve never seen it happen.
As someone who works a tip job, if you dont work a tip job stfu about it. We get paid dirt, and most americans dont actually tip. We have charts for how tipping is "supposed" to cover wages. We never hit half those goals and it has nothing to do with work quality. We are paid a below-standard wage and that is final
They'll just tell you to get a better job while ignoring the fact that their meals they're being served would be so much more expensive if the staff was paid a full wage. It's not a worker issue. It's a corporation issue. This is what happens when corporations run everything. And yes, that affects small businesses and non-chain places too. Because guess what? They have to get their food product from somewhere. And very highly likely, it's a corporate food service provider, which means even if it's a small business/non-chain/'Mom and Pop' place, corporations still dictate the pricing of those places because they're providing the food source unless those places have some kind of deals worked out with local farms that provide meat and vegetables. They'll still have to get their drink menus from corporations, but that actually won't be too big of a hit when it comes to food cost as drinks are guaranteed to sell, so don't have to be priced high at all unless it's actually a high value beverage, like alcohol. But yeah, I agree with you. It's infuriating, but I also understand why. That's just how the system is set up and it unfortunately can't change in America unless people want to suddenly start paying double or even triple what they pay now to eat out. And that's how it's always been, no matter the level of inflation. If you eat out or order food to be delivered, you tip unless the service is absolutely terrible. If you don't want to tip, stay home and cook for yourself instead of going somewhere and having someone else do everything for you so you can stay seated and not do anything.
One concert this year I’ve been to the first band finished their last song and while saying thank you to the public they sad that they were going to the band merc table to sell and sing their “beautiful” band mark and also to speak to their fans. I think is a great idea, you don’t have to pay a sell person or less people are needed, you speak to fans making them happy and signing the merch you are selling you would probably sell more.
I used to work for a large payment processor, and have some advice for customers that are curious (this isn't specific to bands, it applies anywhere). If you, as the customer, are wondering who gets your money and tips right there, look in the corner of the screen on the ipad or phone their card reader is plugged into (or the business name will be on the text receipt). Whatever business name that is, is the vendor signed into the card reader. They get 100% of that payment (to begin with). They get the subtotal gross, the tip and the tax. The card payment fee surcharge, if applicable, is the only thing the vendor does not receive in their sales deposits (that fee is split between the vendor bank, customer bank, and card issuer like visa, MC, etc). They (the vendor) are then responsible for divying out the money based on obligation (tax goes to city usually, tips and sales split based on contract, etc). You won't get to see the contracts as a customer obviously, so that business name makes it easier to tell if the band or the venue is running the merch stall.
QR codes convolute it a bit, as those usually link directly to Cashapp, paypal etc, these are not authorized payment processors more often than not, but are the personal accounts of the merch table workers, or the login of a business account. It's separate from the sales completely and you need to trust that the money you sent is being used for what they say it is, unless you turned on buyers protection before sending money.
I do want to stress that this is just objectively how card payments work with all major processors, regardless of state, law, contract etc. Whether or not the vendor correctly and legally distributes the revenue and gratuities to the owed worker or party is another matter entirely.
I hate that this economic situation has made every single human interaction into a consumerism guilt trip. Not only do fans have to pay tickets, service fees, traveling expenses, and overpriced drinks - now you are squeezing some extra 10's off of people trying to buy a t shirt? I know money is tight, it's tight for everyone, and I'd expect more empathy. Tipping culture in America needs to stop, it's ridiculous and humiliating for everyone involved.
This comment section is gold, "im not tipping someone who bends down to pick up a shirt" so you dont tip your waiter who walks to the kitchen to pick up your food and maybe write it down first? You dont tip your uber who just drove you to where you need to go? These guys are providing a service just like waiters and uber drivers. If you dont want to tip them, then buy merch from the bands website. Nobody is forcing you to buy it at the venue. Finally to settle the what i assume someone will say. "If you don't like the pay get a different job." From what I've seen minimum wage doesn't exist in America so maybe figure that shit out instead of forcing people to rely on YOUR generosity instead of having their bosses pay them a living fucking wage.
This is very interesting.. I don't know much about merch sales but it seems so controversial and shady sometimes. 😕🤷🏻♀ I always get merch online after a show if I really want it.
Bro, I do SEE your side. Buuuut, fuck forcing the merch to be sold by the venue! Maybe that's the ONLY way to get the contract? Regardless, unless the band was literally given the chance to have the crew sell the merch, you're the one stretching the truth. Not Movements. I was a FANTASTIC debate participant, and when debating, you have to effectively be able to argue both sides. Those policies are unfair, you said so yourself. Plus, those people who would sell the merch, are not making money from tips that night. Fuck that. And because THE VENUE STAFF DIDN'T MAKE THE DECISION DUDE. You couldn't claim that's hard to understand or contradictory unless you're illiterate. I would of subbed, buuuut... Hard pass.
Sounds a lot like when Jay Postones complained about merch booths getting tipped and it didn't go to the band, etc. Seems to me that Movements just wanted some more money in their own personal pockets.
Went to see Shellac many years ago, When they finished their set, Steve (RIP) and Todd cleared the gear while Bob sat at the front of the stage with a big box selling t-shirts. Probably one of the most charming things I've seen a touring band do.
As a common old-timer, I'd love to see merch become fresh. Back in the day I had tons of black band t's and as I grew I actually Despise them now. They don't go well with much anything as I age and really 100% cotton is about the last fabric I want, mostly because it breaks down in heat wet/loses shape, amongst a few other things. I just felt compelled to say that. Oh I'm not tipping merch it's already over priced, I assumed everyone in some manner gets their cut to pay the bills.
Meanwhile in my last band i bartered down a local shop into printing my shirts for $10 each so i could then sell them at cost to people. I made 0 profit and i'm ok with that. If i go to a major band's show it'll cost me $50 for the thinnest, cheapest, pos shirt ever.
just an aside: why are we tipping on a t-shirt that costs $60 anyway? someone pulls a shirt out of a box, and hands it to you... this deserves a tip? and now you might say "this is where their money comes from" ...they made the choice to do this, they could've done litereally ANYTHING else. Maybe the band should give them some of the 128382% markup on their merch rather than us? I hate everything about this. Mostly about shirts costing so much, they'd literally make more just printing more shirts and pricing them fairly. But also the tips. I hate the tips.
Tipping couture has gotten out hand in the U.S. EVERYBODY has their hand out. Why would I tip for the privilege of paying $35-$50 for a $6 T-Shirt made in Bangladesh? Support the band? I just did by buying the overpriced crap....don't beg for more. And no, I didn't slip my doctor an extra $20 for the colon ostomy either...
It should be very simple. If you're not doing the job that receives the tips.. 👏🏻 YOU 👏🏻 HAVE 👏🏻 NO 👏🏻 REASON 👏🏻 TO 👏🏻 BE 👏🏻 MAD! If you want tips, work the positions that get them. Easy!
was working for Hip Hop Group Funkdoobiest who played Rhyme Fest 8/17/24 at the L.A. coliseum Los Angeles Ca, the merch fees/scandalous money splits, was astounding you would owe them Big money if u sold any thing. Most concert goers bought from the bootleggers outside. the booths set up were way overpriced $70 t shirts,.............
Tips at the merch table ALWAYS go to the person selling the merch. Not the band, not the crew, that is a WELL KNOWN fact amongst the touring world. I actually like Movements, but man, that is a REALLY scummy way to manipulate a situation for your own benefit.
I’ve found that the older I’ve gotten, and the more money I make, the less I want to tip. I’ll tip a server at a restaurant, and maybe a bartender. But I’m not gonna give someone another 20% for making me a coffee that’s marked up too high in the first place. I’m sorry, but if I’m paying to go to a show, paying for a shirt or hoodie, I’m just not gonna give you more money. I work hard for my income. Wtf am I even tipping for? You to pull a shirt out of a bin and hand it to me? Get real.
The quality of merch is trash also lately. Everything is printed on cheap vinegar smelling Gildan blanks that shrink a full size in the wash and you're lucky if it's centered correctly. As for tipping...so annoying and awkward. SOmeone literally just does their job...give me a tip of 17% or more?!
Isn't this simply another symptom of a larger problem - touring/playing live is simply becoming too costly. Unless you're a major artist, the math doesn't math. We've all heard of $200 tickets, $300 tickets, $500 tickets - the high cost of insurance, travel, and so on. Add in that "bands don't make money from albums anymore", and you have a perfect storm. As prices continue to rise - let alone the adoption of Demand Pricing - there's going to be a point when fans simply won't go. I've already been priced out myself. I love live music, but the cost is too high, backing tracks are accepted, some artists fecking mime! It's just not what it was. What this means for musicians I've no idea. If they're complaining about the money the merch people are getting, then it suggests that either a) The band is making too little and are getting desperate; b) The merch is so lucrative that contracts need to be addressed. Merch wouldn't be sold without the venue space. Merch wouldn't be sold without the demand the band is generating. So they both have a stake in making this work. Further - don't worry about tips, add the necessary margin to the cost of the merch and be done with it. Expecting touring bands to partly survive on merch just seems like one big gamble. What if the merch didn't sell? What if supplies ran out half way through a tour, or got destroyed? Would the tour end? Mind you, lawyers don't have a good reputation in the music business......
I was in Las Vegas a week ago and went into a grocery for ice cream and bottled water. Brought the items to cashier and was given tip options of 20%, 25% and 30%. I wanted to laugh...so ridiculous. I only tip for dine in service. Tipping culture is disgusting in the US. Tipping for retail....just crazy.
Merch fees? Back in my day, band's got all the proceeds from merch. I'd always over-buy when I saw bands live, sometimes spending a few hundred bucks on CDs, original art, etc. (from prolific artists) when given the opportunity because it was my understanding that they'd get that dough...the band or their van driver was typically working the merch table.
