White Plains Show disorganization creates for a bad experience

[Marchillo]

My name is in my signature and I stand behind this post. If anyone involved in the promotion is on this site I’d be happy to discuss.

First off like like the other post said the place was a great environment. I had fun at the card tables. Spent a lot of time at one table in particular working on my 68 set. I was planning on getting 2 autographs that day Smoltz (hof ball collection) and Gooden (84 Topps Traded). Also Randy Jones (1974 Topps) was a free guest.

The autograph scene there can be quite a sh*tshow at their bigger shows. Even waiting in line when you arrive to buy tickets can be painful. So I learn my lesson and I prebuy my tickets. I end up with Smoltz #7 and Gooden #6. Perfect.

Smoltz - 10:30
Gooden - 2:00
Randy Jones in between

I take a quick walkthrough and finger through some 68’s at one table while I wait for Smoltz. He was on stage with Glavine, RA Dickey, Steven Matz, maybe one other guy. They start calling numbers. 1-10 gets called I go up there, no hassle, very organized etc. smooth.

Do my shopping before the Randy Jones line. Line was insane but free autograph not really much they can do. They put us against the right wall. They also have a line for Buckner and Mookie Wilson (MW was 30 mins late I guess). It’s tight over there. Buckner is taking a long time and he’s past his commitment. I heard the promoter say he has sever dementia (sad - didn’t know this). Anyways they form a third line to speed through Buckner. It’s tight and uncomfortable. The promoters are yelling at people, hurry up, no talking to Bucker, no handshakes etc. they weren’t using the number system, people pay money for this (appalling), waiting in these packed lines that you are on top of each other. Oh yeah and the JSA table is in the same location and those people are getting yelled at by the promoter.

Finally I get through the line. It’s around 1:45. Doc is signing on stage (scheduled at 2:00). I’m ready to get out of there. I have #6 so figuring 2:30 max. I meet up with my buddies and wait for them to start calling for Doc. He’s 30 mins late (bummer - not promoters fault). Tons of people on stage waiting. No announcements. Every 15 mins I go up there to see how it’s going. Everyone waiting there has no clue what’s happening. Doc gets there but no numbers being called. I go up the back stairs to inquire. Guy in a suit was a total jerk. He says they aren’t using numbers for Gooden. I tell him I had Smoltz and they used the numbering system and it was the whole reason I pre-bought. His answer was “well sometimes we use them and sometimes we dont.” What the hell is that? Meanwhile it’s now like 2:45 and my meter expires at 3:15. I wait in line and finally got the auto right around 3:15. I was lucky that most people weren’t there for Gooden. Oh and the final kick in the nuts is after he signed the card in blue sharpie he picked the card up by the autograph and it got smudged and ruined (again not the promoters fault). By this time I was out of time and didn’t have the energy to deal with them anymore. I had to run to my car and the meter guy was there so I got lucky.

Logistics at these things can be tough. But seemingly every large event they run with big name guests turn out poorly. The Shriners does a much better job. My biggest beef is how they feel like can yell at people who stand in lines for over an hour and paid money for an autograph. The inconsistency is annoying too.

Sorry for the long read. I’d be interested in others experiences with getting autos at the event.

[daves_resale_shop]

Sorry to hear of your experience. I agree that there is no reason why a patron or vendor should be yelled at

I havent had a bad experience at any of the wp shows I’ve attended, and feel that Brian and Jim work their tails off to deliver an outcome that both dealers and collectors can be satisfied with.


If you feel that you have been wronged or treated unfairly then i’d suggest you reach out to the promoters and give them an opportunity to make it right.

All the best,
David Linardy

[Marchillo]

Originally Posted by daves_resale_shop

Sorry to hear of your experience. I agree that there is no reason why a patron or vendor should be yelled at

I havent had a bad experience at any of the wp shows I’ve attended, and feel that Brian and Jim work their tails off to deliver an outcome that both dealers and collectors can be satisfied with.


If you feel that you have been wronged or treated unfairly then i’d suggest you reach out to the promoters and give them an opportunity to make it right.

All the best,
David Linardy

David - I try to be fair in my full assessment. I point out things that are out of their control but things they did that are simply inexecusable and unprofessional. Not sure how they can make it right. Sure they can reimburse me for the Gooden card auto - like $30. It’s $30 not that end of the world. But the experience was completely ruined. I wasn’t even getting the Buckner auto and I was appalled by the behavior.

One other note. I was talking to a guy in the Gooden line. He got Buckner and Mookie on a ball. Mookie signed first on the side panel. The guy working for the promoter took the ball to have Buckner sign and it was signed upside down opposite the Mookie. The guy wasn’t close enough to see Buckner sign it. Another ruined item. Because of the poor setup and organization they created this mess. Some things are out of their control (players being late). But then when you start to panick and treat people like crap that’s where I take exception. Also as a customer I want to know what to expect. Are you using numbers or no? Sometimes or when they feel like it is not a good answer.

[Yastrzemski Sports]

This was a very large group of signers. I don’t go for the autograph guests so I can’t speak as to the experience but it may have been too much to handle.

[Republicaninmass]

The auto line has always been an issue. There are no signs and nobody can tell where they need to go. The guy in the suit, well he looks to be important and stressed out, so I dont ask him any questions.

[hcv123]

I know Jimmy for many years. He will likely care about your experience - not sure how he could/would make an effort to make it right, but I would encourage you like the previous post to communicate with him.

As an employer, I can tell you 1 - I am more often than not unaware of every single customer each of my employees interacts with and fully respond when unacceptable employee responses/behavior are brought to my attention.

If you choose to contact him - please follow up with the response.

[ruth_rookie]

Originally Posted by Marchillo

Oh yeah and the JSA table is in the same location and those people are getting yelled at by the promoter.

That guy still gets paid for his “professional” opinion?