Autograph Prices for the national

esebille

I saw the prices for the autographs at the National was just posted. My goodness 179 for piazza auto..199 for clemens..99 for lilliard..179 for the big unit. Prices seem inflated..ozzie smith at 59 would be one I would get.

VitoCo1972

don't get me wrong - autograph prices are in NO WAY reasonable in 2013 - but the National is absolutely the worst place to get one. They're praying on the 'you only live once' attitude of National attendees. Clemens is usually $125, Ozzie can be had for $40. Piazza charges that because he never does signings.

TheCARDKid

Some of them look reasonable. Like Jim Palmer, $39, Bobby Hull $49, Jim Rice $59.

Tommy Lasorda, $89?

-I'm feeling old. I can remember in the 90's, when Bill Russell (60's Celtics Russell) was the most expensive living autograph in the market. Randy Johnson is now $179, lol.

totallyradd

Often times you can buy signed balls from reputable sources for much cheaper. I think part of the cost is that you get to "meet" the player as well. You get a 30 second interaction of small talk, and with most players you can't get a photo. Bob Gibson told me I can take a picture of him signing the ball, but not a picture with him. I don't know if thats just a time thing, or if they want you to double up on the photo opportunity.

I used to collect autographs after I got out of collecting cards, but as those prices went up my interest went down and eventually I went back to cards. I still collect sigs, but I really only go after Brewers who are much easier to obtain at their annual fan fest.

Foo3112

Player auto prices today are not worth it. For what, a 30 second meet and grret experience telling them the same thing that the first 200 people before you told him? "I use to watch you all the time" You were my favorite player". No thanks. As someone mentioned, you can get the same thing signed for a lot less from a reputable dealer with a COA.

Dpeck100

One very clear advantage to paying the higher price for an in person signing is the protection of your item.

If you are getting a card signed and are concerned about the condition I think paying the higher price is worth it.

Ric Flair signs for $30 directly vs. $60 at a show but I would choose to spend the extra money everytime to make sure the card was returned in the condition it was sent.

These athletes are not card collectors in most cases and do not realize how important to some a small imperfection to a card is.

cardsnbeads

Tristar's prices are always insane . I was interested in getting at 1992 Bowman Piazza signed but not a $179 interested . Chipper Jones at $149 . You can get a baseball PSA/DNA authenticated for $80 . They make Collectors Showcase look like bargains.

cardsnbeads

Across the board everybody signs for less or you could buy the items for much less and authenticated by PSA on Ebay.

3BoyzTrading

Prices seem to go higher and higher. Do the athletes even look up at you or do they tend to sign whatever the Tri-Star person puts in front of them? It makes me wonder if negotiating directly with the athlete would be a better venture than the Nationals. I'm sure $10,000-$30,000 would be enough for older players, someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

NickM

<< <i>Some of them look reasonable. Like Jim Palmer, $39, Bobby Hull $49, Jim Rice $59.

Tommy Lasorda, $89?

-I'm feeling old. I can remember in the 90's, when Bill Russell (60's Celtics Russell) was the most expensive living autograph in the market. Randy Johnson is now $179, lol. >>



Lasorda is a reasonably easy signature to get if you're in L.A. - and used to be very easy until he was approaching 80. But he almost never does signings outside of the greater L.A. area (which includes Ventura, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties).

Nick

TransparentGum79

Never pay for autos at the National. If you have to see the players, just look at them from a distance and buy an already authenticated item elsewhere. I never understood the desire to overpay for an autograph and stand in line waiting (wasting otherwise good time) next to an unkempt, malodorous, fanboy for a quick 20 second sliver of time with these guys.

ClockworkAngel

Always fascinated by the prices these guys ask for and how random they are

Mike Piazza the highest price? Over Cal Ripken, Reggie Jackson, or Bart Starr? Ok, so Piazza doesn't do many shows but is there a high demand for Piazza autographs? Dwight Gooden is free? Poor Doc...

WalterSobchak

I might pay $89 for Lasorda if he would sign a photo of himself in mid-backwards somersault from whatever All-Star game that was.

cardsnbeads

There isn't a $179 demand for Piazza or Johnson . Piazza is not even a hall of famer .

VitoCo1972

Don't forget Piazza was a rookie of the year and an all star game MVP. People have projects that they need to add him to.

GR

I like to try and get real tough inscriptions so to me its worth it because Dealers never seem to sell the inscriptions I collect