Is it worth it?

[JustinD]

Just wanted to voice an internal debate I have had for years and just listen to different viewpoints. With the National coming up, it has again resurfaced in my mind as I look at some of the costs for flats and do a double take.

If I can easily get an auto that is to my liking (meaning no risk of getting a smear or bad sig on the fly), and already encapsulated and ready to roll for, in many cases, far, far less than paying for a flat and encapsulation myself...is it worth it to you to get the couple seconds of a "Hi, how are you?"

Sometimes I have had a great experience with a signing (granted, nowadays I don't do that many), I romanticize the mall signings of my youth that were either free or if someone great showed up, maybe 5 or 10 bucks.

So, the question is...are you still entrenched in spending well into the hundreds for standing in the line for those seconds or have you turned into what I have? Which is someone who let's someone else do it and I feel like they must always be taking a huge loss on the investment.

I just want to hear some thoughts because I am open.

[earlywynnfan]

Personally, there is nobody I would stand in a huge line for anymore and pay quadruple the resale value, except one or two people who I "idolized" as a kid. (Kent Tekulve, maybe.) but 100+ just to say I got Frank Robinson who I can get on eBay for 30? No thanks.

[Johnny630]

Spending your hard hearned money on crazy in person autograph fees is never a investment. They make their money from fans who are emotionally attached to said player or moment. Best investment advice I can give you on said issue is to walk way.

[shelly]

It was fun when you Paid Mantle $50 and he would put in no7. Now to pay someone $200 to put down MVP is outrages.
Find the ball you like on Ebay and forget about waiting in line to spend a fortune on someone who might not even look up.:m ad:

[bnorth]

I am having the same thoughts. I have a 1981 minor league SGA Pawtucket bat I would love to get Wade Boggs to sign. Same problem as has been said already. I can buy a store model bat already signed for half of what it would cost to have him sign my bat at the National.

[Lordstan]

IMO, The values in signings today fall into one of 2 categories.
1) It's worth paying it if you have a specific item that is important to you.
As an example, I paid $325 for Aaron to sign this program a few years ago to complete it. Personally, I think $325 is crazy for Aaron, but it was the last one I needed on it.



2)The second scenario I see is for people who need some something signed to complete a set(like cards). Sure, you might find one much cheaper on ebay, but the less common the set the less likely you'll find it. Same applies for say a ball with a specific inscription that is off the beaten path.

If it's not something you are likely to find elsewhere, It might be worth spending the money so you can enjoy it. I would never pay the prices for something generic.

[mr2686]

Mostly in agreement with everything already said. I collect HOF single balls (as well as other things) but I'm not going to pay an over the top amount for a player to sign a ball, when I can go on the secondary market and pay far less. This, however, does not help me when I need my HOF book signed or a lithograph or multi-signed bat...things I would never send in the mail and would only want to get in-person. If I knew then what I know now, my collecting focus would have started out differently.