MTF Rant! How Much Is Too Much? Paying For Autographs And Crazy Prices! DVD Dave Sounds Off!
As a collector it’s always hard to balance paying for an autograph or trying to get it for free. A lot of people on the convention circuit are reasonable on their prices, and it’s fun to be able to have a second to chat, talk about a favorite film, etc…
BUT…
It’s getting out of hand, especially in terms of pricing. It used to be everyone (expect certain “bigger” names) would charge between $20 and $25 for an autograph and a photo. Personally, that’s fair to me. BUT then this whole thing started where if you have something larger than an 8×10 photo it’s an extra $10…
So… Because of the size of the item, you want to charge me more? I don’t understand that? Or if something is really cool, that I clearly saved for years (cough, cough, counter standee’s) I need to pay more because… Why again?
It gets so frustrating. Molly Ringwald for example is doing a “private” signing where she won’t look at you or acknowledge your existence but will take around $90 to sign a mini poster. Unless that poster is bigger than an 11×17, posters 12×18 and up… those are an extra $10. She has a ruler and she will use it.
While that’s an exaggeration, you get the idea. Sylvester Stallone recently was trying to charge $400 for an autograph! Really??? You couldn’t even sell his autograph for more than $150 if you wanted to!
Going to an autograph show or an event, it used to be a lot of fun, and I still enjoy it, but seeing people you like whose work you’ve admired try to squeeze an extra $10 bucks out of you is a little disillusioning. And I’m sure it’s not really the promoter forcing the higher prices usually but come on now.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this… But first… Let me climb off my soapbox and let DVD Dave climb on his. Which is the reason for this mini rant.
DVD Dave had an experience recently, and I’m going to let him tell it to you.
Feel free to comment away!
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When I was seven my cousin took me to a double feature in Huntington Park. The movies were “Dawn of the Dead” and “Animal House”. Now granted, those aren’t probably considered the type of movies you take a seven-year-old to, but I loved them! To this day, they are still two of my favorite films ever.
So when I heard that Tim Matheson was going to be doing a signing at the Shrine Auditorium next month, I was thrilled to say the least.
So when I saw the convention advertise it on Facebook I decided to try and ask how much he would be charging. I fully expected to be ignored since most promoters don’t like to discuss prices openly. However, they replied saying $35.
Was this some kind of joke?
When I pointed out that most celebrities at autograph shows charge on average between $20 and $25 the promoter responded by comparing Matheson to the likes of William Shatner and Chris Hemsworth. Really? Hemsworth is able to charge an outrageous amount because he’s still an in demand actor and Shatner, for better or worse, is considered an icon. Matheson hasn’t starred in a hit film in decades and doesn’t have a following of “Trekkie” proportions.
I still want to get Tim’s autograph, but at this rate I would seriously cut back on how many things I get signed by him. Maybe even none. The promoter thinks I am wrong for this opinion and even went so far as to delete my comments and later blocked me from commenting altogether. Mind you I was always polite and merely pointed out the price.
So I put it to you, the fans. Is the promoter correct in saying fans will be willing to spend $35 per autograph? BTW, a belated RIP to Blockbuster. This rant is done.
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Dave, just so you know, Stallone didnt try to sell it for $400 each… he sold out.
First off, yes, we’re spoiled. It’s hard to give anyone money after getting big names for free. That said, I’m usually willing to pay for a nice signature. But $35 for a non-iconic actor is just crazy. But WHY is he $35? Is it because the actor thinks he’s worth it? Is the promoter paying less for his appearance and allowing him to make up the difference on the per-signature? Or did they pay too much and they’re trying to recoup costs on a percentage per-signature??
Now, on the additional costs for the larger items, everyone doing that can eat a flaming turd. It doesn’t cost them any more in time or effort, and that is just shady. I’ve wanted a few signatures from folks you only see at conventions who are doing this, and I refuse to play that game. Because I have an 11×14 instead of an 8×10 because I’m trying to get an entire cast, a few extra inches of photo doesn’t entitle the signer to an extra $10. That’s bull and just rude to the fans.
Honestly, some of these folks should be grateful at this point that anyone is even willing to make the effort to get out and meet them. I get that their time is worth something to them, but charging me more on the size of my item when it doesn’t impact them at all leaves me with a FAR worse impression of them than the base price of their autograph.
There are celebs at every con charging more than they realistically should. It’s the added fees that really make them look ridiculous.
The time that Stallone did it at that price, on-site one of the MTF writers were there and inquired about it. There was “still space available.”
Totally Agree Brian!!
I totally agree with Dave… As a person who hates paying for autographs, I think its the greatest way to screw fans over. I get it… trust me. Autographs are worth something… Just not always what people make of it. An autograph represents a piece of that person’s mark on your item. It has been a practice associated with the Hollywood persona since the beginning. Judy Garland, Lucille Ball, Cary Grant, James Stewart, Kim Novak- people that signed autographs because it was part of a “job description.” Of course, they don’t have to do it. No one has to do it… But charging the people who maintain your fame? Ridiculous…
Why do these has been stars go to these autograph sessions if they don’t want to deal with the public? That’s why I stick to mailers unless it’s somebody I really, really want to meet.
The comic cons are a great example of greed. I understand the promoter has to make money, but if I am paying $20-$25 I should be able to take a picture with the celebrity. An extra $$$ is BS. Also.. I collect playboy magazine autograph covers, but Sherlynn Fenn for example, $20 a photo, Playboy $50… Karen Mcdougal $20 a Photo, $50 for nude, $75 for playboy.. Cmon……
Glad I’m not alone in feeling ripped off. I don’t mind paying for autographs. Some celebs have no other source of income and I’d never get them out in public. Some celebs are really nice in public and sign for their fans all the time. In those cases I don’t mind. It balances off in my mind. However, these working actors who do private signings and charge outrageous amounts is disgusting. Way to screw your fan base guys!
I agree in this hobby it is tough to pay for an autograph that should be free. But I guess at the end of the day it is opportunity and I get it if people don’t live in LA or NY then seeing some of these people are very rare and maybe worth it if that person is someone you just would love to add to your collection. I guess though nothing is “free” and those of us that do a lot of IP if you add up the gas, parking and time (If you wait 3 hrs then 20 x 3 for an average person lets say)…then that autograph indirectly can cost you maybe 70 bucks anyway in that effort to get that person. If you tried 3 times and didnt get that ..the figure goes up.
I hate paying for autographs and the hunt is actually the funnest part with that rush….but if its a person that I love and know it will be rare rare rare and getting up in age then I have to consider paying for it. I’m debating on Chevy Chase now as I need him to complete “Community” poster and its $150. But realistically if I go to the Vacation red carpet I might have a chance at a scribble but might not and then I probably would have wasted the $70 bucks …so then the net is $80 to get it for sure….funny math and I guess you could plug in minimum wage numbers….
Oh well the price we pay for ink on something that our kids or grandkids will toss away one day…….
I do agree with most of DVD Dave’s points. I did hear that at some conventions, some actors wanted to charge a smaller fee but their agents wouldn’t let them (apparently they get a cut of the income in addition to the convention company’s). It just depends.
Some actors offer up packages: they’ll sign your item and do a photo-op at a certain price, or they’re flexible if you don’t have enough money. (Heather Langenkamp does the former, and apparently she does sign TTM for free.) Not all, but a few do.
But I think some actors need to realize that they’re overpricing themselves, and encouraging people to not visit their booth and get an autograph.
I agree… I believe if you go into a convention of sorts you shouldn’t pay for autographs. They should have a pricing system…. You spent how much to get in and you are allowed 1-2 autographs or photos. If you decide you want to purchase more autographs or photos they could have a ticketing booth located somewhere in the building and you could purchase tickets and then when you went to the autograph table you just hand them the ticket and it also saves time and lines too.
I agree with the show. $35 is not that expensive. At a big con almost everyone charges $40 now. If you can’t afford $35 then you probably shouldn’t be getting one anyway. Would I wish he was cheaper? Sure. But it also depends on what you’re getting signed. A nice Animal House item with multiple signatures is worth getting signed for $35. You can’t go to a show and expect a bargain. You’re paying to meet the person too and the price usually reflects that. If it upsets you that much don’t get one.
As for getting free autographs at a show as some have said, that’s just ridiculous no matter who you’re talking about. This isn’t 1980. These people are not your personal slave. If you want their time then pay the money.
So Jason let’s say you have a Johnny Quest piece, an Animal House piece and whatever else floats your boat. Are you saying you will happily plop down over $100 for that privilege? I have no idea if you even attend autograph conventions or perhaps associated with the show on question, but if you get the chance to read prior comments by other fans you are clearly in the minority here Jason. Oh, and paying for the privilege to meet the celebrity? PUHLEEZ! I see A-list celebrities every week and don’t have to pay for the honor. Maybe if you live in some remote part of the country these shows are your only chance to meet celebs. I feel sorry for you. I’d welcome your evidence that most celebs charge more. What show? How many celebs did you survey for pricing? Do you know how to find an average with said information? I go regularly and can back up my statement that most charge on average between $20-25.