#merch guy

Today, now two days later, I got a text saying ‘I don’t get it?’

Selling merch is a different way of life than the typical jobs many people assume they will have after graduation, whichever one that might mean to them.

Unlike traditional jobs, there is no guarantee for a salary, wages, or benefits. It truly is a unique job in an industry that is not always what it is cracked up to be. The music industry is a hard business to get into and succeed in even with the “right” connections.

One reason tipping the merch guys and girls seen at shows, especially smaller GA shows, is becasue it’s one way they earn money that is theirs. Similar to tipping a waiter/waitress or other employee in the service and/or food industry, they put in a lot of work for a less than desirable income.

They work hard, but they do not always get the respect or recognition they deserve.

I only recently started tipping merch people after my friend explained this concept to me as well as after my dad talked to a merch guy at Warped Tour 2016. It is definitely a different and unique way of earning an income, but it is what they choose to do, at least for this period in their lives.

At the most recent concert I went to, I talked to the merch guy for the band I went to see. I travelled all the way from Philadelphia to Austin to see them. (I was actually in San Antonio for my spring break, and my parents agreed to drive me to this concert.) I ended up tipping him $5 since I bought a sweatshirt. I usually tip at least $5 if I spend at least $15-20 depending on the show and the band/artist. He thanked me several times, and I sparked a conversation with him about how it’s important to tip merch people. His comment to me was, “That’s like, 5 meals at Taco Bell right there.” It hit me that this really is one way that they make an income and spending money while they are on tour. I ended up meeting this band, again, and it is partly due becasue I was nice to their merch guy both times. It’s been two different merch guys, but I’m still nice regardless.

Now, even if you cannot always tip your merch people, at least be nice to them and treat them with respect.

They work hard too, but sometimes they just can’t do everything. They don’t control stock of the band merch, and they are doing their best to please the fans. You cannot hold them responsible for something not going your way in relation to merch.

When you are nice, don’t expect special treatment either. Be nice because it is the right thing to do as humans. Although I have been able to sit side stage, to meet a band twice, and to talk to an artist becasue I talked to their merch people, this does not always happen. They try their very best, but they cannot and will not do everything. They’re doing their part to help ensure the night runs smoothly.

My final piece of advice is to talk to them as if you were talking to anyone else. At the end of the night, we are all just people. They just happen to have pretty cool jobs. They have families, they get homesick, and they have dreams just like the rest of us. Treat them kindly and with respect.

Happy concert-going.

Every fan knows the story of Paradise Fears – six guys from a small town in South Dakota decided to make themselves known by following tours and selling CDs, a tactic that helped them get on tours with artists such as All Time Low, The Cab, The Summer Set, Forever The Sickest Kids, and this time around, Go Radio. But how many people know about the people who help behind the scenes?

We got the chance to catch up with Anthony Najarian, merch guy for Paradise Fears. Check out this interview to find out how he got started in merch, what he does when PF isn’t on tour, and who his favorite Kingdom Hearts character is, and make sure to follow Anthony on twitter! @A_Naj_Fears

Interview by Simma Lamb

Fetcher Howell, merch for Chelsea Grin, bassist for Hearts & Hands

Not confirmed