How much is too much

[aspoe093]

I always wonder this question "how many autos are too much for one person to get?" I have a hard time asking for 2 autographs from the same player but I see guys getting like 7-10 things signed at once. I think anything then 2 at once is way too much and this is why some players don't sign or are not great signers for anyone but kids and women. I am not a dealer but have a hard time getting autos because I am an male that isn't a young kid and I think it hurts when the true collectors who are there just to get 1 or 2 things signed. What do you guys think? How much is too much for one person to get signed at once?

[Indian71]

i honestly think 1 item is enough. If that person was truly your favorite player, then youd only desire one autograph. But if youre looking to profit, then you get multiples. Just my two cents

[Headshot]

I agree, 1-2 max. I try for an index card and a sport card. if they sign just the SC, I am fine with it. or vice versa.

Why would you need 6 of the same card signed? Especially some of the players who are featured on the TTM database that were mediocre players and sign everything.
I guess they make great Christmas presents for friends? :0

[jyosi]

I've had guys sign 20 at a time for me. I don't see anything wrong with it. I always politely ask them and explain that I don't expect them to sign that many, but if they don't mind it would be awesome. Ben Zobrist, who was an all-star last year, had no problem signing 9 photos for me. I'm a 25 year-old male.

[mbroadhe]

I would say it depends on where and when. TTM - I send no more than 2. I feel it makes you look greedy or like a dealer if you ask for any more. In person - 1 is enough unless the guy is sitting on his hands the rest of the time. Then, I would politely ask if he would mind signing anything else you have.

[ChrisR]

If a player dosen't want to do more than 1 or 2 or 8 they make that decision. Honestly I thought one is enough, and I am perfectly fine if I only get one; BUT when you do sets, trade, and get cards for friends I understand the need for more than one.

I collect Allen & Ginter. I am working on all years, the minis, paralell minis, and inserts. If I have a shot at a guy who has A&G cards I approach them with all the cards on one page. They make the decision on whether to sign or not. Also if it's someone who is a "profit player" or one of the known current hot sellers I will tell them flat out these are all for me and if you would like to personalize them that is cool with me.

The players know who the dealers are. They see them every day, and get a good eye for who is who. I hate dealers too, but this is America and people can do as they please. No matter how much we complain they will always be at the events. After doing this for so long I just learned to accept it. When I know it's a dealer or expect they are I just make sure to get in ahead of them. In the big picture all I care about is myself and my items.

The one thing I HATE is when someone goes to the player with 2 pages of 9 or even worse the scrap books that can hold like 12 or more per page (20 plus cards at one time). That pi$$es me off bad. It holds up the line and makes me miss other players. If someone wants that many i feel they should go last or get half then go back. When I am waiting, if I see a guy with 1 card or a kid with a glove/ball, I always let them go if I have more than 2 cards.

Another opinion I have; make the trip and time worth while. If I have a few cards for a guy I want them done. Why only get 10 if you could have gotten 20 and not upset the players? Then again i can't go every game so I have to try for as much as possible when I do get to a game.

[JVazz29]

I would say that 2 items is a perfectly fair number. Maybe 3 on the very rare and extreme circumstance. I have only ever sent 1 or two items. I am perfectly happy with one - I only send two if there are two photos that I really like. I also send to if I plan on giving one to a friend. In letters I always mention my friend as a fellow fan.

I recently got the Triple A All-Star teams auto's IP. It was the first IP event I've been to, maybe, ever. I noticed people with binders, each page dedicated to a player, with their cards ready to go. These people had up to 9 cards of the player, and it was nice to see in more than one case the player sign only two.

I used to go to comic book conventions. I would only take one or two books per person I planned on meeting. There was more than one case where I would wait in line for a ridiculous amount of time (over an hour on few occasions). Was the line long? Not really, however people would take gigantic stacks of books to be signed and no one would stop them!

[Indian71]

it ruins the hobby

[Johnmulemiles]

i agree, 1 or 2 is my limit for TTM.

[Sawks14]

I send typically one item per ttm request although I have sent two on the rare occasion.

That said I will send guys multiple times- especially if they charge a fee. I figure if the guy is charging a fee then its just a regular business transaction- I want him to sign my item and he wants my money to do so. That said getting 10 items signed at once is like ordering 10 meals in one sitting at a restaurant. It can be done but just backs everything up for those waiting behind me. Instead I'll send my 1(again once in a great while 2) item and then when it comes back I'll get "back in line".

Somebody mentioned getting "sets" signed. I totally get this. I only collect baseball HOF autos meaning I have about 60-70 guys I'm interested in getting and out of that only x amount sign ttm. I have 8x10s hanging on my wall, balls waiting for a display case, and postcards waiting to be matted and framed. I paid appropriate fees and limit my items per request. I think that is a system that works for me and doesn't "ruin the hobby". That said I am sure there are people who think I'm a horrible being.

So in the end....its personal preference and values.