Fall Expo 2013 - Autpgraph Signers

[Drewk86a]

Just got a flier from the Expo and here is the line-up:

Bobby Hull
Dave "Tiger" Williams
Angela Hall
Mario Lemieux
Geraldine Heaney
Mike Modano
Borje Salming
Vladislav Tretiak
Jacques Leperriere
Lanny McDonald, and
"Customer Appreciation Guest" Guy Lafleur.

I am a huge Lemieux fan, but I cannot see paying $180 to get an item autographed!

[CoolHandLuke]

Just got a flier from the Expo and here is the line-up:

Bobby Hull
Dave "Tiger" Williams
Angela Hall
Mario Lemieux
Geraldine Heaney
Mike Modano
Borje Salming
Vladislav Tretiak
Jacques Leperriere
Lanny McDonald, and
"Customer Appreciation Guest" Guy Lafleur.

I am a huge Lemieux fan, but I cannot see paying $180 to get an item autographed!

Some show signing session prices are really way to high. But I guess you will still see a line-up.

[royfan]

Is that $180 per auto? And do grading services guarantee the autos for cards you're getting slabbed?

Just got a flier from the Expo and here is the line-up:

Bobby Hull
Dave "Tiger" Williams
Angela Hall
Mario Lemieux
Geraldine Heaney
Mike Modano
Borje Salming
Vladislav Tretiak
Jacques Leperriere
Lanny McDonald, and
"Customer Appreciation Guest" Guy Lafleur.

I am a huge Lemieux fan, but I cannot see paying $180 to get an item autographed!

[flemingc04]

You read that right - it is per auto. They had him come in about 2 years ago as well and at that time it was $200 (I believe that was his first public signing in Canada in many many years). He rarely does public signings and even with the high price, there was a long lineup for him.

The great thing about the signings is that even if you're not getting an auto, you can still stand close by and see the players sign. I will definitely take a few photos as usual. If anything, I may consider getting Tretiak's auto for $30.

[royfan]

That's not too bad though if the grading companies offer authentication on your cards. In the comic world, artists and writers charge up to $100+ per auto(or to have a picture taken), you can have CCG (the comic grading service) witness the signing and have your book slabbed with an authentic signature. I think it would be great to have a guarantee on your signed rookie/jersey, does this happen with bgs/psa at these events?

You read that right - it is per auto. They had him come in about 2 years ago as well and at that time it was $200 (I believe that was his first public signing in Canada in many many years). He rarely does public signings and even with the high price, there was a long lineup for him.

The great thing about the signings is that even if you're not getting an auto, you can still stand close by and see the players sign. I will definitely take a few photos as usual. If anything, I may consider getting Tretiak's auto for $30.

[87sluggo]

PSA/DNA was at the Big Bonsor Show a couple years ago in Langley to slap a sticker on the Gordie Howe autographed item at no additional cost. Of course the cost to get the item signed was astronomical to begin with.................

Tretiak sounds like a HUGE bargain for 30 bucks. You guys get alllllll the great players out east........

[Drewk86a]

Is that $180 per auto? And do grading services guarantee the autos for cards you're getting slabbed?

2013 FALL EXPO	Regular Item	Medium Item	Premium Item	Inscription Fee	Professional Photo Op
Bobby Hull	$45	$60	$80	XXXX	XXXX
Tiger Williams	$20 Any item
Angela James	$20 Any item
Mario Lemieux	$180	$240	$300	$70	$80
Geraldine Heaney	$20 Any item
Mike Modano	$50	$60	XXXX	$10	$40
Borje Salminq	$25 Any item or Photo Op
Vladislav Tretiak	$30	XXXX	$50	$10	XXXX
Jacques Laperriere	$25	XXXX	$35	XXXX	XXXX
Lanny McDonald	$35	XXXX	$60	XXXX	XXXX
Guy Lafleur	$20 Any item (no loose numbers)

[30ranfordfan]

I don't understand the point of the PSA authentication here......

You're going to stand in line, and pay a premium for that autograph - so you can flip it? (I say premium, becuase you can buy signed cards of any of those players on eBay for MUCH cheaper).

If you're planning to keep the signature for yourself, why would you pay PSA a nickel for their authentication? You just met the player, and saw them sign it.


Also, remember that the prices quoted are for "Regular" items. That's Cards, 8x10s, pucks, similar stuff. Usually the prices are comparable as you go up... but here's Lemieux prices:

$180.00 Regular item
$240.00 Medium item
$300.00 Premium item
$70.00 Inscription fee

$80.00 Professional Photo Op


I don't remember what AJ's definition of Medium vs Premium is..... if you wanted a Jersey signed, I know for a fact that's a Premium Item. Larger photos, posters, gloves, sticks, helmets..... I think they are all Medium items, but I'm not sure about that.


I think the prices are crazy high, but what can you do??


(I do understand where the prices come from. You're not paying Mario $300 to sign your jersey. You're paying AJ's $300 for access to Mario..... that you would likely never be able to get if it were not for them paying him (likely 5 figures) to be there. When you consider that fact, the price really isn't all that outlandish - but I'm glad I was able to get an IP auto from him @ a Pens game free of charge)

[Hobbybox604]

That's not too bad though if the grading companies offer authentication on your cards. In the comic world, artists and writers charge up to $100+ per auto(or to have a picture taken), you can have CCG (the comic grading service) witness the signing and have your book slabbed with an authentic signature. I think it would be great to have a guarantee on your signed rookie/jersey, does this happen with bgs/psa at these events?

Ya PSA was at our local show here in vancouver in 2011 and was authenticating Gordie Howe's autograph on the spot,so I paid $75 for his auto that included the authentication (Sticker & COA card)...funny thing,I bought 1 ticket and Mr.Hockey accidentally signed 2 items for me :) [A puck & A magazine :D]


PS: Nice Kassian collection,i pc him too,if u have any extras for sale lmk,thx

[royfan]

You don't have to be flipping an item to want authentication. Yes, the trill of meeting the player and getting his auto/picture is what you're paying for, but I like the idea of having an insurance on something I payed so much to have, in case I do need to sell my cards because of a hard ship or something. Also when I die, I would rather my kids not get fleeced on selling my collection when the time comes. Plus I like for my collection to have intrinsic value, how much is a raw IP gretzky rookie worth vs a slabbed authenticated?

I love the attitude here. If you don't understand the point, why would you assume it's for a flip? Yes there are people out there that make money off autos and stuff, that doesn't change the fact that some actual collectors like having things in their collections that are authenticated. If you don't want that, then that's fine, but don't have a holy than thou attitude towards people that do. Some collectors don't want graded cards either, doesn't change the fact that there's a lot that do.

I don't understand the point of the PSA authentication here......

You're going to stand in line, and pay a premium for that autograph - so you can flip it? (I say premium, becuase you can buy signed cards of any of those players on eBay for MUCH cheaper).