How much is too much when it comes to merch?

Description: The couch is a tad bit dusty maybe a tiny water spill…but you have time to fix it!

Everyone loves supporting their favs. I mean they are your favorite for a reason, right? I personally have a lot of merch myself, but I see two different sides of a debate to this one. I hope to hear what you think as well.

DISCLAIMER: This doesn’t have a disclaimer. Do excuse the grammatical errors please. We do have somewhat of a disclaimer in the Uncomfy Cushions description. But long article short, if you don’t want to hear heavily opinionated topics, we have a lot of other content on this blog we would love for you to check out!

Some artists I heard say things about Merch.

A while back, BTS Jin complained about these prices before. It was for the pajamas a while ago and many people were happy with this discussion. I think that prices are really, really expensive for artist merchandise. 

I’ll tell you why. Most times they don’t have anything to do with the idea of the merchandise at all. Nothing creative, nothing on the creative direction. Just their presence as a face. Just a name on it and it’s suddenly “authentic”. But is that even authentic then? Anyone can put a name on something, we buy things because we want to support the artist, not the company. Might as well be the creative directors and designers name. At least, I know who made it. The company is great ofcourse for holding our artist, but we really buy merch for the person. And depending on your reason, it’s worse. Ex. to support them vs to just get items that make you happen. 

Mind you. I know there is many things going behind the scenes. There’s a team to this. Trust me, I work with teams all the time. Everywhere is different. I just feel like it steps into false advertisement when they aren’t apart of the process.

I think it’s particularly messed up when it’s labeled for them. For example AP pen, AP doll, AP journal. It’s not even something I wanted or even thought of. 

I particularly loved seeing BT21 early on when it was created because they were a part of the development process. You can even watch the videos of this happening. I love when they are able to do things like this. Not only is it fun for them, but more personal. When you make things yourself you learn to appreciate the final product a lot more. Not to mention the process as well. I learned that when making a meal for myself, it might not be as good, but I sure do appreciate it a lot more. In the case of BT21 it was cute and had great ideas and to this day they still care for their characters. And seeing their love for them is part of the reason why they are so successful. There’s a lot of  cases of this now. Even on a smaller scale. Photocards are quite successful. The idols take pictures and a team picks the best ones, but the fact that they took them themselves made them more proud of them. And it’s the part we look forward to the most in an album.

It’s not just them either, I’ve seen many groups do this as well. And sound off in the comments and let me know other artists who do this and who they are. I want people to check them out!

In contrast, things they aren’t much apart of and they have to promote you don’t see anymore. Honestly, how many merch pieces can they have? They will only keep so much. It’s just a waste especially if it doesn’t sell. The Justin Bieber situation a while back (not this 2026 Coachella) is a great example. It shows how much money matters over anything else. He didn’t approve the merch yet it was still on the market. People will buy it and that’s all that matters and that’s unacceptable.

Artists need to come first. How many times has that happened, but they weren’t as verbal as Bieber is about things. And it’s safe to say if you don’t see them make them then they most likely weren’t a part of the process. And sure creative directors are creative directors for a reason, but can we really rate creativity? It’s subjective. It’s just the marketing team and what works and what doesn’t that makes it happen. You have to know your audience, which is the fans. Though we like different things, you can see what sells out first. Whether it’s inspired or another version of their original idea might be popular during this time.  And that’s what will come back again in a different form if we’re going off of supply and demand. 

Once again, I’m guilty with my relationship with merch. I pat myself on the back for helping the economy a bit because sometimes I gaslight myself into buying some merch in a collection even though I don’t even care for it much. I’ve done it before and I can’t promise I won’t do it again. It becomes an addiction. And it’s not a good one honestly.

I think in the economy we are in now, I think it’s best to hold back a little every now and then. Learn to save. I hate that word so much, but saving is the only way. And once you reach a little over your goal, reward yourself every now and then for your own happiness. Then repeat or keep saving it. You’ll be proud of it looking back. It’s not being a bad fan if you don’t buy anything for a while. It’s not being a bad fan if you can’t afford any merch.

I had this discussion with some friends before. Just because you have all of their merch doesn’t mean you are their #1 fan. And if you don’t have anything, but a stick figure drawing you made with their logo. That doesn’t make you a bad fan. A lot of people put pressure on money. Money amounts don’t make a person. And if your favs really cared about you they wouldn’t want you to go broke to buy a school folder they didn’t even give a word about. And most times they couldn’t even afford some of the stuff you’re buying. Or they just don’t care.

Now, I also realize that with price comes quality. Not everything is good quality at all. And some things are worth it. I say check reviews if you’re not afraid of spoilers. I mean albums and everything has changed since the demand for things changed. And since the lens of what is good and what is bad changed from outsiders eyes, a lot has changed. I remember when Kpop wasn’t as popular here in the states. And Specially for me I jumped in right before the big wave of popularity it had. So you could go on all the sites- for me it was Ebay and you could get all the merch you wanted. It was at a low rate and it was things I would cherish. It wasn’t official merch all the time, but my everyday wear.

For example, I had a ton of rings, masks, and journals. These now will cost you your lunch for the week. And it’s ridiculous. The quality didn’t improve, if anything it’s gotten worse. And you’re paying for stuff that isn’t official. ANd this article is coming at a perfect time as ironically there is more talk on this merch. But be honest…when was the last time after promotions have you seen your idol wear the clothes you bought? Or use anything they promoted? I’ve seen a few, but the marketing scams I fell for, I never seen them put on that pullover again…no tea, no shade.

So if you’re thinking about merch, even from us in the future (*fingers crossed*), ask yourself.

1. Can I buy better (or buy something else)
2. Is it worth it (will they care, most of all will I care?)
3. How long will you care?
4. What did the reviews say?
5. Can you save this and invest 
6. Why is it so important to buy?
7. Can you make it at home?
8. Have you see them use it? Did they tell you to buy it? And Why?
9. What’s the quality like? Compare it.
10. Have you seen the prices?!

AFTER ANSWERING THESE AND SITTING ON THE THOUGHT…

Are you convinced?

Still can’t decide?

Talk to someone who shares the same interest as you and see what they think. Someone financially mature. Because trust me, I’m the friend to tell you to buy things because they make you happy. Don’t trust them…they’ll have you both on this couch watching fancams instead of watching your favs in concert. And from money you saved to the side. Not money on payment plan that was supposed to help pay off your student loans. Too specific? Sorry.

STEPS TO SUCCESS- JUSTIFYING PURCHASES

This can be a good story arch where you decide “yeah I don’t need this” or it can be you missing the plot completely. Your choice. You can do this in person as well.

One way is to go over it with yourself. Sometimes thinking out loud can really help bring out the flaws in an argument. So say it out loud. “Well how do I go about this?” By yourself in a mirror or even better record yourself saying it. A plus is if you’re looking for a job, it gives you experience with “selling this pen”. And if you’re going to justify an unneccesary purchase-you’ll need this convincing skill! Okay I might be going on a tangent. Essentially, what I am saying is to do this or hit up someone who is good with money. Tell them why you really need this item. If you can’t give some justified reasons, that means you don’t ‘”need it”.

If that doesn’t work…well…read this blog again.

I am also relieved to see people make content on “de-influencing” and telling you the merch they typically avoid purchasing. Because our consumerism habits have gotten pretttttyyyyy bad.

Mine’s included. I have a bad spending problem for the most part, but you know…I can’t even excuse it. I gotta do better.

And influencer culture has made it worse in my humble opinion. And social media obvi. Mainly because we see a lot more things we think we need at a more rapid pace. And it works every time. I don’t know how, but it’s an addiction. I’m sure a scientist can tell you how, but I’m just a blogger who will let you do the research today. (On a different series we will get professionals to tap into these opinions and weigh in with their professional advice. Let us know which topics you want to see them cover!) Back to the topic, yeah it’s pretty bad. Honestly speaking, idk if it’s to fill an empty void or what. Mind you, that void will never be filled because all you do is buy to feel and look forward to something. It’s a feeling. Feelings come and go, sure, but when you have little to zero impulse control…what do you expect to happen? It becomes a vicious cycle. Chasing some artificial serotonin that leaves you searching for more. They are counting on that. You need help, not order.

And let’s be real. They aren’t going to stop producing if you keep purchasing. Supply and demand 101 basic standards. And I love the idea of “helping the economy boom with me doing little to nothing by placing an order. Especially when I enjoy the product. Putting in my small contribution to this world lol. And that’s great and all, but we’re missing the point.

I feel the designers and everyone apart of the production process are just coming out with anything nowadays and it’s discouraging. It would be one thing if they put their heart and soul into a design they were on the team for, but they aren’t. And the quality and designs isn’t getting any better. It’s actually embarrassing. I used to dream of being apart of these teams, now it looking like things I could do at home with 5 minutes to my name. No disrespect. The love isn’t there in the game anymore. That’s all.

So you’re just rewarding mid to low quality work. If that’s what you believe,. If you just want to buy because that makes you happy, be my guest. But most people are complaining about merch while still adding it to cart. Whether that is to flex (“I just need to have it” mentality), feeling fomo coming on, or any other reason. While still reminiscing about the golden days of marketing. Be real. I’m not saying you’re a part of the problem, but you’re surely not helping. They can’t hear over the money sounds effects coming from you. And that’s putting the money where your mouth is for them. Talk some cents to them…oh well you know what I mean!

So, do you really need it? Looking at these, more questions will arise. And to your surprise…you will say no. Unless it makes you truly happy and it’s worth every penny (or whatever currency you have), don’t buy it. Supporting your favs is free. Merch is not.

Let us hear your thoughts in the comments below!

-A.P.