National Autograph Tickets: Regular vs. Inscriptions

[SetBuilder]

I just took a look at the National list of autograph tickets.

http://www.tristarproductions.com/National/tickets.html

Take a look at Frank Robinson for example. $229 for a regular ticket, and $39 for an inscription ticket. It says that you can pick a career achievement but no personalizations.

Why ban personalizations? Forgers have it so easy now. All they have to do is execute the signature and maybe a number or two.

The industry has picked up some pretty bad habits over the years, IMO. This isn't the way autograph collecting was done in the past.

[packs]

The $39 inscription fee is added to the base autograph fee, it doesn't replace the fee.

[SetBuilder]

Originally Posted by packs

The $39 inscription fee is added to the base autograph fee, it doesn't replace the fee.

Wow...you're right! It's in tiny letters all the way at the top. That site is so confusing because you can select just the inscription and take it all the way to the checkout screen and it doesn't say anything.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by packs

The $39 inscription fee is added to the base autograph fee, it doesn't replace the fee.

So I can't just buy the inscription?

That's the sort of thing I might do if I was in an odd mood, just get his HR total or something but no autograph.

[Mr. Zipper]

It would be one thing if for the fee you actually got a nice experience, I.E, a great photo… A few minutes of undistracted time… Etc. But the sad fact of the matter is, more often than not, players can’t even be bothered to look up at you and acknowledge your presence.

Sucky experience… lousy autograph… herded through like cattle.

It’s beyond insane that people actually pay these prices.

[Gary Dunaier]

For Frank Robinson, it's $99 for a "regular" item, which they define as "Any size flat item, baseball, cap, or mini helmets." All other items are classified as "premium," and it's $229 for an autograph on those.

Regarding steve B's comment about buying just the inscription without an autograph: it doesn't say anything on Robinson's page, and presumably the same is true on the other players' pages, but at the top of the autograph ticket page it says "Note: Inscriptions must be obtained at the same time as the autograph, and cannot be added to previously signed items. If you plan to purchase an inscription ticket, you must purchase an autograph ticket. You cannot enter the autograph line without an autograph ticket." (Bold added.)

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Gary Dunaier

For Frank Robinson, it's $99 for a "regular" item, which they define as "Any size flat item, baseball, cap, or mini helmets." All other items are classified as "premium," and it's $229 for an autograph on those.

Regarding steve B's comment about buying just the inscription without an autograph: it doesn't say anything on Robinson's page, and presumably the same is true on the other players' pages, but at the top of the autograph ticket page it says "Note: Inscriptions must be obtained at the same time as the autograph, and cannot be added to previously signed items. If you plan to purchase an inscription ticket, you must purchase an autograph ticket. You cannot enter the autograph line without an autograph ticket." (Bold added.)

My sense of odd humor is odd enough that nobody gets it.
I wouldn't buy the inscription as an add-on to some thing already signed.
I'd buy JUST the inscription. Like a ball with just his HR total.

Yes, it would be a really weird waste of money, but I think it could be really funny.

[mrmopar]

I know it's all about getting specific items signed in most cases and for some the meeting experience, but keeping in line with picking on Frank Robby, you can easily snag a manufacturers certified auto's card of his for under $15 delivered and on a good day, possibly even under $10!

It isn't beyond belief to see the autograph hobby disappear completely over time as the prices rise higher and higher, with experiences being impersonal and players making so much money that signing autographs is no longer a necessary/desired alternate revenue or charity stream and/or an honor for them, but a nuisance and not worth their time. Add in the increased risk of forgeries and it kind of loses it's appeal anyway.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by mrmopar

It isn't beyond belief to see the autograph hobby disappear completely over time as the prices rise higher and higher, with experiences being impersonal and players making so much money that signing autographs is no longer a necessary/desired alternate revenue or charity stream and/or an honor for them, but a nuisance and not worth their time. Add in the increased risk of forgeries and it kind of loses it's appeal anyway.

The argument that "players making so much money that signing autographs is no longer a necessary/desired alternate revenue or charity stream and/or an honor for them, but a nuisance and not worth their time" is a nonstarter. That argument has been made for well over a decade and yet quite a few of the big salary names hit the autograph circuit. Why? Unless, the player invested well, or has another revenue stream there is a need for cash inflow or the base is being eroded. One would think that there is an upper limit for what collectors are willing to pay but thus far collectors are still paying up. I said "no way" to the prices of Piazza, The big Unit, Chipper, and next week at CSA I will take a miss on Big Papi. $250 a throw for that scribble? No, thanks. I can live with not having a few current hall of fame players on a piece or two. To quote a collecting friend "I don't have Babe Ruth either."

I agree that forgeries are prevalent throughout the hobby which is why early on I decided to get every autograph in person. As the years have rolled by, I relaxed the rule a bit, dabbling in mail order from time to time or having a trusted fellow collector get a sig for me.

[Td8237]

I have seen Mr. Robinson in action. He will probably argue that anything that is handed to him is a premium item. I know someone that runs a card show that said he will never have him back. Can buy his autograph online for very little money. I will give my money to guys like Mr Simon, or to the players I feel that will at least will act like they want to be around the average fan.

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by SetBuilder

This isn't the way autograph collecting was done in the past.

Yeah. In the past, players didn't sell their autographs.

[RichardSimon]

Wait,,, $229 for a Frank Robinson autograph???
Is he including a gold bar with that signature???
There are many deceased HOFers whose autograph is a whole lot less than that.

[RichardSimon]

I just looked at the price list and Frank's price is $229 for a premium item.
Now I totally understand, it must take at least 5 seconds more to sign an oversized photo than an 8x10.
Totally understandable to charge $229. NOT!!!

[yanks12025]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

I just looked at the price list and Frank's price is $229 for a premium item.
Now I totally understand, it must take at least 5 seconds more to sign an oversized photo than an 8x10.
Totally understandable to charge $229. NOT!!!

Any sized photo is $99

[pclpads]

Ickey Woods?? Really???????????????

[Den*nis O*Brien]

Originally Posted by SetBuilder

I just took a look at the National list of autograph tickets.

http://www.tristarproductions.com/National/tickets.html

Take a look at Frank Robinson for example. $229 for a regular ticket, and $39 for an inscription ticket. It says that you can pick a career achievement but no personalizations.

Why ban personalizations? Forgers have it so easy now. All they have to do is execute the signature and maybe a number or two.

The industry has picked up some pretty bad habits over the years, IMO. This isn't the way autograph collecting was done in the past.

I was trying to think of something "Snarky" to say about Mr. Robinson's $229.00 charge but instead I submit the scan of his auto (if not spousal) that was offered a decade or more ago for $2.95 + a buck postage. I guess that his auto value has dramatically increased over the years because he says so. I would submit that I treasure the ball and exhibit card that Cub great Johnny Schmitz signed for me at his kitchen table while talking about sitting in the Bull Pen when the "Shot heard around the world" took place than the "Cattle Call" that has been discussed here. If anyone needs a Frank Robinson auto...consider the hot dog cards.