Too many requests?

[stlcardinalsfan]

i think if you explain why you are sending a second time it should be fine, also if the signer dosnt charge send a little donation or somthing the second time.

ive never sent twice to somebody, but ive sent multiple items in the same envelope(like 2 or 3 cards or a card and an index card)

[metrotheme]

I don't think I've sent to a player more than twice and it's been at least a few months apart. Sometimes, I've found a cool card I wanted to get signed or with a few of the old timers, I had their card from the 53 Topps Archives but didn't get a hold of their 54 Topps Archives until later.
One player, Mackey Sasser, I emailed him before I sent him 10 cards. He was my favorite player growing up and I had all of his Mets cards and I asked him permission before I sent all 10 and I sent him a few extra to keep. He said it was ok with him. Otherwise, I would not have.
I have interviewed many of the old timers and some have stopped signing or have started charging because they see 1-2 of their autos on ebay and assume everyone is selling. Others only sign one and keep the rest. One guy I spoke with told me, he signs one and throws the rest out, because according to him, "they're selling the rest".
Outside of Sasser, I've kept my requests to 3 or less, and if it is more than three, I offer them cards or I explain why I wanted more than 3 signed (set building) and I still leave it on them to sign as much or little as they want. Other times, I will add in a donation if I am sending more than 3.

[Sawks14]

I really don't know what to think of this issue. Personally it kind of irks me when I see people bragging about how they got somebody to sign 10+ things for them and in the process basically pissing on that persons generosity and giving the hobby a bad rep. On the flip side I totally understand and respect the desire to get duplicate signatures for different projects.

So it really comes down to what you personally feel is the middle ground between filth and die-hard collector/fan and that all boils down to "donation", player, and specific items. There are some guys like a Pat Neshek that I don't think its a big deal you send 7 things to. There are other guys that its just uncalled for.

[Oxxon]

I only send 1 item 1 time to any person. Having said that there is a current Colt QB, who shall remain nameless, who I have sent 3 different times with and without a donation. To date he still has me waiting. I hope what happend with Chuck Howley does not with this Colt QB. I sent to Howley 3 different times to 3 different addys after some one had a success. Then one day I get all 3 Howley cards. I didn't need 3 so I offered the other 2 if any one wanted one.

Long story short I only need 1 item signed. I can understand if you have a project or different sets and "need" 10 items signed. What I don't know is if you may or may not hurt other peoples chances of having something signed.

[C&C Collecting]

Like most of you, I have sent several things to to a player at different times. For example, I have sent to Bobby Witt a bunch of times and sent about 4 cards each time. I wanted certain cards signed for various reasons and have been lucky enough to find all of those cards signed.

I try to send a few months apart so as not to seem like a pest to the player. However, a few times I have pulled a double from my collection, sent one and then forgot I sent it and sent along the double a few days later. I have been lucky with my success.

It's your collection. The whole point is to collect, have fun, and avoid the pitfalls.

[navig8tr150]

I find it disrespectful to the player and to the hobby for somebody to send 6, 8 or even 10 items to get signed at one time. I always send 2 items to be signed. If I have more I want that player to sign, I will wait at least a year before resending those items. It is so irritating to see some idiot send Ron Cey 4 cards when he only signs 2. Do you not read the post here and see a pattern on their signing habits? Fernando Valenzuela only signs one card. Why in the world would somebody send him 3, get one back signed and he keeps the others? And then this same moron has the audacity to complain about him keeping their cards? This is one of many reasons that players stop signing all together. Stop being greedy.

If I have multiples on the player I am sending to, I usually send them a few and attach a post-it telling them that the cards are for them to keep. Most of the time they keep the cards as I have asked. Other times, they sign and send them back. Either way, I am happy. Send 2 items, two. Being greedy will only hurt the hobby that we so enjoy.

That's my opinion, what's yours?

[indyreds]

I also like to include a few oddball cards when I find them for the player to keep. I started doing this years ago after running into Rick Smits when he was a Pacer. His daughter collected his cards and whenever I ran into something extremely low numbered or truely an oddball thing I would mail it to him. I am sure that other players have family who does the same thing be it parents, kids or whoever. The base stuff I assume they have, but should I get a new release or something hard to run across it is always nice to offer one to the player.

[JVazz29]

I've thought about this. Now, I am relatively new to this hobby, so be wary of what I say. I try to send an item or two to the person and that is it. I am only concentrating on getting my customs signed as I do not collect cards, nor wish to venture into spending much $$ on bigger stuff.

Now, with that being said...I have yet to get back a totally terrible looking / smeared / damaged card. A part of me thinks I'd be happy with just getting it back, but I can be a bit of a perfectionist. So I don't know.

I want to write to Stan Lee again. Unfortunately I did not send a 2nd comic I wanted signed for a friend the first time. I've written the letter - a very thoughtful and genuine letter about what his work and comics meant to my childhood - but I am hesitant and don't want to "feel greedy" even though I state that this book will be for a friend (which it truly is).

[propete23]

If you have a nice item, and would DIE if you lost it, then send a baseball card. Explain that you would really like to get a ball, a program from 87 that you and your dad got at a minor league game, mini helmet, whatever. Many of the former players will write a little something back to you and appreciate the mail.

Try and personalize your letter to the player. Ex. I sent to Rheal Cormier, who at the time was pitching for team canada and congratulated him on his success in the Olympics. Did a little research BEFORE I WROTE!!! I sent along a 5x7 photo and a card in Phils uni. He not only signed both items, but thanked me for the congrats in his last professional pitching experience! Its a nice personalization on the back of the photo.

Unless he is a HOF'er, I usually try to send to people that I appreciate, and hometown Phillies players. Selling on Ebay (unless you are going to lose your house, or lost your job) has no excuse! I keep my mailers to a few cards, or a photo and sometimes trade extras to another collector of that player.


Moral of story... TRADING OK, SELLING ON EBAY AFTER SENDING 30 TiMES IS NOT!!!

[docgallie]

I think the biggest problem with selling on ebay is that you do not know whether the items are authentic or not. I love getting autographs and used to do a lot of hockey IP, but TTM has always worried me. After meeting the players in person, I find it odd that they would be nice enough to sign things TTM when they are so unwilling IP.