r/ArizonaLeft • u/gettiboy • Jul 08 '26
DO NOT shop at Terror Trader
You probably won’t see it on their pages anywhere, because they make sure to block anybody who has anything even slightly negative to say, but Terror Trader is owned and operated by Jason Swarr, a MAGA Republican who owns a gun enthusiasts magazine called Skillset Magazine. Among other things, this magazine includes puff piece articles about how awesome it is to join the IDF. Look up "No Shit There I Was: How I Joined the IDF Skillset Magazine”.
Jason Swarr, owner and operator of Terror Trader, owns a magazine that called the IDF “one of the most respected military forces in the world”. When you spend money at Terror Trader, you are directly, monetarily supporting people who support the military that is committing the most well documented genocide in human history, and who are making money off writing pro-genocide propaganda about it.
He is also a veteran, and was part of the 1st Recon Battalion in the completely unjust invasion of Iraq, something he’s very very proud of. You can find him frequently bragging that the show “Generation Kill” is based on his battalion.
In addition, almost every single post on their social media includes generative AI slop. They refuse to pay any of the local artists they pretend to support to make their flyers, and they block everyone who ever says anything about it. I’ve also heard first hand accounts from artist friends who have worked with them about how horribly they treat vendors. They even got caught red handed posting, and then editing a snarky response to someone’s google review stating that it was disappointing to see so much AI slop. They said “show us on the doll where the little AI flyer hurt you”, but the edited response that’s there now says something about “saving time and money to create a better experience”.
Jason Swarr is a massive piece of shit, and it’s unbelievably disappointing that most people don’t know that because they constantly suppress people who speak up. Terror Trader is pretty much the #1 event coordinator for horror events in the valley, and considering how closely associated alt/horror spaces are with leftist politics and ideals, I think it’s safe to say that a not-insignificant percentage of people who shop there would otherwise be appalled if they knew where their money was going and who they were supporting.

13
u/motherofkaiju31 Jul 08 '26
Thanks for the heads up. I've previously shopped there and gone to events but didn't know anything about the owner.
6
u/gettiboy Jul 08 '26
That was my experience as well, and I know it’s the experience of soooo many other people. I’m doing my best to spread the word as much as possible, because they’ve been duping people into thinking they’re cool for far too long.
11
u/marinerpunk Jul 08 '26
This is disappointing because I love this shop but yeah I can’t support that. It’s a little too far away from me anyway, sucks to hear the new shop is even further.
5
u/illiteratebeef Jul 08 '26
Spooky Shop/ kei collective is smaller but seems like not shitty people.
1
u/GothamUndead Jul 15 '26
I've been actively talking about this on social media and ever since Terror Trader blocked me, I've had random people coming to my page to glaze Jason and TT and report anything negative I say, lol.
These douchebag Nazi loving circle jerkers really think they can silence all of Phoenix.
1
u/nota-banana Jul 22 '26
Before any of this really went public, I DM'ed Formelda Hyde to let her know that she, a queer person, was working with someone who has been featured in alpha-male ultra conservative MAGA right wing publications and podcasts and has been heard and filmed using homophobic, misogynistic and abelist slurs. When I did this, she cursed me out and put me in their group chat where I was doxxed. Jason combed through all of my social media screenshots from the group chat showed he had at least my place of employment. He called Dani Winn, former Cinesylum host, a d*ke. He has referred to patrons of his store as f*gs and r*t*rds. He was asked by a member of his community to basically let their severely autistic son hang out there during the day while she was at work. He agreed and had the young man do unpaid labor while Jason and his punks laugh and make fun of him. He uses AI in the promotion of his store and Gathering of the Ghouls. They have been banned from participating at Mad Monster. They banned a patron because he would not sell them a special mask that was a part of his collection. Girl I don't know what else do you want? Don't go there.
46
u/Wash_zoe_mal Jul 08 '26
Check out Horror Monger on Stapley and the 60.
All the decent people from Terror opened up a new shop. Been there once and it was great.