[Telzone] 'Consumer Report' spotlights the problem of overpriced idol merchandise

 

The scene of one idol singer's concert

 

Idol related goods/merchandise

 

"Yesterday, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., we sold about $200,000 worth of merchandise."

 

These products add up to $100?!

 

Fan $5

 

Paper files $10

 

Scarf $36

 

Paper bag $8

 

Bracelet $15

 

(Internet posts from fans talking about expensive merchandise and worrying about buying special editions, repackaged albums, limited editions, etc)

 

- "How much is this?"

- "This pillow is $60."

 

"Even among us fans, the fans who really like the group will buy 10 of the same albums (one for personal keeping, nine keep packaged and stored away)."

 

"I often wonder why companies make fans go through such a hard time by releasing 10 different albums."

 

(SNSD fan union petitioning the release of albums with individual members on the jacket cover)

 

Fans cannot get into events/music programs unless they have receipt proof of their purchase of the singer's album or digital song

 

Agency rep: "I thought fans were admitted according to who got their first? I have to talk it over with the fanclub manager because I'm not sure myself."

 

"I don't see this as anything positive. If companies continue to suck (money) out of their fans,"

 

"It will only greatly shorten the life span of idol stars."

 

Companies should stop using fans more than they need to!!

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Telzone: Using fans to make $200,000 in 2 hours

1. [+97] Idols and companies are in it to make money and it's the fans who are selling their souls to buy their products, allowing idols to live a comfortable life. Fans will only realize as they age how much of a waste of money it all was. They'll be too old then to turn back their actions.

2. [+96] I seriously didn't think it was this bad... This is really quite severe...

3. [+96] I have nothing against companies selling goods but... they're honestly too expensive. $60 for a pillow? You could buy one from a convenience store for $10~$20..

4. I don't know how fans can still funnel their money into companies like this even after seeing investigative reports on it. Idiots, I have nothing to say ㅋㅋㅋ Why would you spend money doing something that you know everyone will judge you and hate on you for? ㅋㅋㅋ

5. I don't care about people who buy these things because they're rich, but if you're one of those who have to save money to purchase these items, I'd rather you spend it on delicious food or a new book to read. It's ridiculous that the poor are buying presents for the rich...

6. Nah, let the companies suck these idiots dry. They're only being sucked dry because they're idiots. No one's forcing them to buy it.

7. A moment of silence for all of the parents out there making money for their children to spend in such useless ways.

8. I wouldn't even take any of those goods for free and yet people are spending money buying them? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

9. It's funny to me that KBS released this report because they were also known for their ridiculous merchandise prices at their Hallyu concerts.

10. Reality is that kids working part time jobs for $4.50 an hour are the ones funding these idols' lifestyles and helping them buy their parents a new house worth several hundreds of thousands.

11. You spell it as 'fan' and read it as 'idiot'.

12. This is basically a copy of the Japanese fan system.

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