So, is selling posters before the show kosher?

[JGex]

Recently I've noticed some artists offering up posters for sale before the actual show happens.... I was just wondering what others' opinions on this might be.... I was always told it shouldn't be done.

Anyone?

[seripop]

i personally don't see what the problem would be. if they are gonna be foer sale what diff does it make?
we offer our for sale when they are ready.
never even thought of waiting till after the show..
why
?

[uncle charlie]

I try really really hard not to. I'm guilty of it on occasion, but I prefer, my own personal taste, to wait until the show is over.. You won't have to worry about me calling the cops on you..

[seripop]

a few times that we have sold posters before the shows people said "oh wow! _______ are coming to town? awwesome! i never see posters cause i like in _______ and my cat pees on the local weekly so i can't read listings. oh yeah i don't have a computer.

but now that i know ____ are comming to ton i'll sooo drive up for it! fucking cool! d'ya think they will sign my poster?"

[JGex]

@Charlie! The Poster Police?

Chloe, the band people I've talked to who have voiced an opinion all said they didn't like it and some of the clubs have been the same way. I mean, if you don't have to wait, what stops people from just making posters that were never sent to the club or band and then selling them?

And if I've read some of the comments correctly on this forum, the poster isn't an "artifact" until after the show happens. Anything else is just merch.

I just asked because we have always held posters until after the shows for release cause there was sort of that unwritten rule.....

[kozik]

no-WAIT until show.

[Jermaine]

Shouldnt do it.
1) Pisses bands management/ labels off when they see promo being sold for profit. It means someone is making $$$ before them. WHat we do IS making money 'off' them, but because the poster sells tix and advertises the event, theres the 'illusion' to most bands and mgmt that it's fair. To me, it IS fair, but I say 'illusion' because for some folks who think were doing such an injustice to those poor poor bands.
ANYWAYS, its like, theyre giving us a foot...so lets not take a mile...know what Im saying?

2) If the stuff ever hits the fan, and some mgmt or band wants to get legal on you for selling these posters with their bands name on it, youll have a rough time explaining why you were selling these before the show. Its like, youve taken away any ground you have. You cant say, 'Well, I was hired by club 'so and so' they said I could. Well, that promoter hired you to do a PROMO poster...THATS why you got permission...not to create a 'product for retail'. So, like...all of us are already walking in a BIG grey area...but most bands look the other way...ESPECIALLY when youre cool about HOW you do sell.
So, like, you can even use the, Well, I was hired...and I overran some extras just to make some of my $$$ back, so I could break even'. As lame of an excuse as this is, most folks will roll their eyes and go for it.
You sell BEFORE the show..well, regardless of what you say, your actions show legal intent. YOU were making this poster to sell. YOU are liable. And dont think it'll be like, 'They cant sue me for over 'X' dollars, cause I oly did a few and theyre not that expensive'. Talk to Mark Arminski. He'll hit you to just how crazy they can make your loverly 'artiste' existence.
Dont do it.
Be patient.
DONT DO IT.

my 7 cents...

[scrojo]

i'm actually opposed to selling AT the show. i roadied for a couple of years and know that alot of smaller bands live off the money they make from merchandise at the show. best not to compete directly.

[kozik]

it's lame. just say NO

[seripop]

hmm first i ever heard of having to wait
sorry i'm new don't know all the rules
i just figured if it's off the press it's ready to go.
esp since we do our stuff usually a month or so before the show
so i guess all the peeps here who ordered thesuicide posters from us will have to wait a few weeks till after the show right?