Quote:
Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy
My point is, it would cost a young teen $20 just to walk into a TriStar show before they ever get in the door - $10 parking, $10 entry fee.
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$20 to get in + $50 for an autograph + $15 for an inscription + $7 for authentication...and that's if you want to wait in line and not buy the "VIP" pass.
If you're a kid, next thing you know you've spent 5 weeks allowance and you haven't even looked at a card (not that you could figure out if it was rookie or not anyway with all the new "rules").
The industry today is set up for adults. Why go to a show where a player is signing an autograph you can't afford? And why pay $100 when you can buy it on eBay for $35? To "meet" a guy that won't look at you or shake your hand or let you take a picture unless you spend another $50? (I realize this is an unfair generalization to the many great signers out there, but it's reality for many others.) When you look at a pricing structure that charges different amounts based on the potential future value of what is being signed (e.g., a picture costs less to autograph than a jersey) then you know you have a real problem.
I don't have the answer, but I know what it isn't. And I fear for the future of the hobby. I don't care if my cards hold their "value", that's never why I collected. But I'd hate to see our hobby disappear because of money.