Who pays those prices for autos at a show?

[bodiaz]

I just looked up the autograph list for the National in Clevland. Those prices are insane! Anyone here pay those prices for autos???? I mean, Montana $189 for an auto? Polamolu* (spelling) $149 per auto? I understand wanting their autos on team signed stuff, or on hof helmet, or 500 Home Run ball etc. But you will never even come close to getting a fraction of your money back.

 

[Big Mac McGwire]

you should know by now sport, the market is oversaturated. Long term investment is outa the question with current living players. Those prices are for people who want a specific item of theirs signed or just want the experience of meeting the athlete in person. Investment is not the objective at card shows anymore when getting autographs unless it's on a special item that has big time significance or it's game used, and the auto will increase the value.

 

[smapdi]

For some people, it's not about 'getting your money back,' but more about 'meeting an all-time great player and getting his autograph on a nice item and for a maybe talking to him for a minute and possibly a photo as well.' Silly, I know, but the world is full of suckers.

 

[bodiaz]

I get that, but they charge you seperate to take a photo with them! Biggio won't even do it! These guys are out of their minds!

 

[archiebunkerjr]

Man, those prices are ridiculous. I'm glad I got these autos at the 2001 show for $65 and $75.

 

[George K]

I never understood how the autograph price made such a high jump in the late 90s/early 2000s. The system got out of whack. I love Willie Mays, but I can't see who'll pay $300 for his auto - there's plenty of Mays stuff around.

 

[hofmichael]

The prices are becuase the athlete doesn't want to be bothered.I wouldn't either.So the promoter has to make worth their while to do a show.

 

[serving4theking]

I went to the National in Chicago in like 1990 or 1990 or something like that, and got a bunch of autographs for $5, $10. Andre Dawson, stuff like that. Mantle was there, and if I remember even he was just like $30 or $50 or something. It was cool to meet the Hawk and I got his RC autographed. At the time it probably wasn't a great decision because his autograph was commanded $40-$60. But now that it depreciated anyway, I'm glad I did it.

Cool part 2 to this story. When our community hospital opened up its oncology ward, Dawson came to sign autographs for free. I don't know if the hospital paid him anything or not, but for fans it was free to come and get his autograph. Meeting him twice in person was really cool, and gave me a role model in my teenage years. But very few "average" teenagers will get a chance for that kind of thing now with those prices.

Polamalu is crazy huge in Pittsburgh, but that's a crazy price.

 

[sportscardtheory]

It's outrageous. I don't see why anyone in their right mind would pay those prices when they could easily find autos of those players for FRACTIONS of those prices online.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Also a key difference between shows today and shows 20+ years ago is that 20 years ago, when you paid for someone's autograph, you could actually meet them. Talk to them. Get a photo with them.

Now it is an extremely expensive herding mentality. You aren't meeting these guys, they rarely even look up at anyone, let alone you.

It's insane.

 

[hofmichael]

Also a key difference between shows today and shows 20+ years ago is that 20 years ago, when you paid for someone's autograph, you could actually meet them. Talk to them. Get a photo with them.

Now it is an extremely expensive herding mentality. You aren't meeting these guys, they rarely even look up at anyone, let alone you.

It's insane.

This kind of goes hand in hand.Fans today are way more obnoxious then people that were going 20+ years ago.They feel like the athlete owes them something.People invest way to much of their emotions into these incounters.It is a business transaction.Nothing more nothing less.
Mike

 

[Skillz]

Also a key difference between shows today and shows 20+ years ago is that 20 years ago, when you paid for someone's autograph, you could actually meet them. Talk to them. Get a photo with them.

Now it is an extremely expensive herding mentality. You aren't meeting these guys, they rarely even look up at anyone, let alone you.

It's insane.

This kind of goes hand in hand.Fans today are way more obnoxious then people that were going 20+ years ago.They feel like the athlete owes them something.People invest way to much of their emotions into these incounters.It is a business transaction.Nothing more nothing less.
Mike

That's not fair to say. Then isn't an athlete's entire life a business transaction? The shows are a good way for fans to connect with athletes, often the people there are so happy to have met the athlete they are brimming. And at these prices the people lining up are true fans... I think it can be a win/win for all parties if done correctly.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Also a key difference between shows today and shows 20+ years ago is that 20 years ago, when you paid for someone's autograph, you could actually meet them. Talk to them. Get a photo with them.

Now it is an extremely expensive herding mentality. You aren't meeting these guys, they rarely even look up at anyone, let alone you.

It's insane.

This kind of goes hand in hand.Fans today are way more obnoxious then people that were going 20+ years ago.They feel like the athlete owes them something.People invest way to much of their emotions into these incounters.It is a business transaction.Nothing more nothing less.
Mike

Actually, I remember most of these large shows 20+ years ago had their signing room empty simply because most people felt it was absurd to pay anyone for their autograph.

I think the biggest change is that with eBay, the players see the true business of it up front, whenever they want.

Regardless, I'll never understand people today paying extremely expensive fees on just a "standard" item like a ball or common 8x10, especially when the same items can be purchased inside the show for 50% of the asking price.

 

[hofmichael]

Also a key difference between shows today and shows 20+ years ago is that 20 years ago, when you paid for someone's autograph, you could actually meet them. Talk to them. Get a photo with them.

Now it is an extremely expensive herding mentality. You aren't meeting these guys, they rarely even look up at anyone, let alone you.

It's insane.

This kind of goes hand in hand.Fans today are way more obnoxious then people that were going 20+ years ago.They feel like the athlete owes them something.People invest way to much of their emotions into these incounters.It is a business transaction.Nothing more nothing less.
Mike

That's not fair to say. Then isn't an athlete's entire life a business transaction? The shows are a good way for fans to connect with athletes, often the people there are so happy to have met the athlete they are brimming. And at these prices the people lining up are true fans... I think it can be a win/win for all parties if done correctly.

It is very fair to say.Is money not changing hands?Do you really think the athlete gives a **** wether you show up or not?It is what it is.I am not trying to ruin anyones expectations.But if you go into with that attitude and have a good time meeting the athlete consider it a bonus.If your expierence is negative then you got what you expected from the deal.It is just a business transaction.
Mike

 

[Billy Packer]

Even with COA's, the only way to 100% know that you've got an authentic signed item is to see it signed in front of your own eyes. Some people are obviously willing to pay a premium for that, along with the "experience" of meeting the athlete, if only for a fleeting moment. That being said, the prices, especially at big shows like the National, sicken me. I understand it's supply and demand but I can't imagine they couldn't sell a lot more autograph tickets at a lower price.

The reality is that the players, especially the top-dollar draws, don't want to sign more. As in any walk of life, some of them are great guys and some are total tools. What gets me is - if you don't want to deal with the public, just don't do the dang show. Stay home. But if you are going to come out and collect money for sitting on your butt and signing your name for a couple of hours, how about at least being civil to the paying customer?

Some of you that have been around for a while may recall that I collect football player autographs in a hardcover history of the NFL book. I'm up to 143 autographs, of which 105 are Hall of Famers. I've spent a lot of money and time and it's now a one-of-a-kind item - obviously not the same as picking up a single-signed item on ebay. I'm just the kind of customer the show promoters count on as being their captive audience. However, every time I go to a show, I have to decide how much money to spend and I've passed on a bunch of guys because I just couldn't justify paying the price for their autograph ticket. It's frustrating and disappointing but in reality the only small leverage we as collectors have is to vote with our wallets.

 

[sportscardtheory]

Also a key difference between shows today and shows 20+ years ago is that 20 years ago, when you paid for someone's autograph, you could actually meet them. Talk to them. Get a photo with them.

Now it is an extremely expensive herding mentality. You aren't meeting these guys, they rarely even look up at anyone, let alone you.

It's insane.

This kind of goes hand in hand.Fans today are way more obnoxious then people that were going 20+ years ago.They feel like the athlete owes them something.People invest way to much of their emotions into these incounters.It is a business transaction.Nothing more nothing less.
Mike

That's not fair to say. Then isn't an athlete's entire life a business transaction? The shows are a good way for fans to connect with athletes, often the people there are so happy to have met the athlete they are brimming. And at these prices the people lining up are true fans... I think it can be a win/win for all parties if done correctly.

It is very fair to say.Is money not changing hands?Do you really think the athlete gives a shat wether you show up or not?It is what it is.I am not trying to ruin anyones expectations.But if you go into with that attitude and have a good time meeting the athlete consider it a bonus.If your expierence is negative then you got what you expected from the deal.It is just a business transaction.
Mike

How is it a "business transaction" when you couldn't get a fraction of what you paid if you tried to sell the auto you just bought? That doesn't seem like business to me. Obviously it's more about meeting the player, and they should be cordial to people that shell out big money to meet them. Like someone said, if they don't want to be there, why are they then? It's just a racket that I will have no part of.

 

[hofmichael]

Also a key difference between shows today and shows 20+ years ago is that 20 years ago, when you paid for someone's autograph, you could actually meet them. Talk to them. Get a photo with them.

Now it is an extremely expensive herding mentality. You aren't meeting these guys, they rarely even look up at anyone, let alone you.

It's insane.

This kind of goes hand in hand.Fans today are way more obnoxious then people that were going 20+ years ago.They feel like the athlete owes them something.People invest way to much of their emotions into these incounters.It is a business transaction.Nothing more nothing less.
Mike

That's not fair to say. Then isn't an athlete's entire life a business transaction? The shows are a good way for fans to connect with athletes, often the people there are so happy to have met the athlete they are brimming. And at these prices the people lining up are true fans... I think it can be a win/win for all parties if done correctly.

It is very fair to say.Is money not changing hands?Do you really think the athlete gives a shat wether you show up or not?It is what it is.I am not trying to ruin anyones expectations.But if you go into with that attitude and have a good time meeting the athlete consider it a bonus.If your expierence is negative then you got what you expected from the deal.It is just a business transaction.
Mike

How is it a "business transaction" when you couldn't get a fraction of what you paid if you tried to sell the auto you just bought? That doesn't seem like business to me. Obviously it's more about meeting the player, and they should be cordial to people that shell out big money to meet them. Like someone said, if they don't want to be there, why are they then? It's just a racket that I will have no part of.

When you buy a BigMac can you resell set for a profit?No you can't.It is still a business transaction in its simplist form..You guys relate business to the ability to resell something for a profit.Those are 2 totally different things my friend.