In person autograph etiquette...Now the final autos have ARRIVED!

yankeeno7 · July 18, 2008 4:04AM

Is it acceptable to ask someone to sign with your own pen/marker rather than their own? I dont like the fine sharpies on sports cards but I do like the extra fine. The autos come out so much nicer. Is it ok to ask players to sign with what I want them to? Im hoping so because Im giving good money for that signature!

I have decided to make the trip to Cooperstown next weekend and I will share scans when I get them all done...
1953 Topps Yogi Berra
1956 Topps Aparicio
1956 Topps Harmon Killebrew
1957 Topps Frank Robinson
1960 Topps Willie McCovey
1962 Topps Gaylord Perry
1966 Topps Jim Palmer
1966 Topps Don Sutton
1968 Topps Pete Rose
1968 Topps Tom Seaver
1968 Topps Johnny Bench
1968 Topps Bird Belters...both Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson
1971 Topps Steve Garvey
1984 Topps Traded Dwight Gooden
1986 Fleer In Action Dwight Gooden

I did plan on doing the 84 Donruss Living Legends of Perry and Fingers but looking at the success rate TTM and 20/auto cheaper I am going to do those cards TTM. Im going to miss the chance at Rollie Fingers anyway because he is only signing on Sunday. As for the Bench/Yaz, I think I will hold on to those until next year. Im sure Bench will be there and I will hope Yaz will attend also since he is not attending this year...or so I havent seen.

George Kell was to be there on Sunday but I spoke to the promoter and he probably isnt going to make it because he hasnt been feeling well. I have a 52 bowman I will send TTM and see if I have any success.

I still havent decided if I will get Guidry. I dont know if he is worth the 40 dollar price tag. Thanks Leo for sending me that card...I didnt realize Guidry charged that much and now Im wondering if it would be worth it. We'll see...cuz I would love to have a dual signed card of him and Gaylord Perry.

yankeeno7 · July 18, 2008 4:05AM

Im also thinking....should I have the Frank Robinson Rookie, Bench Rookie, and 68 Rose signed in red ink??? I think it might look pretty sharp...

Ironmanfan · July 18, 2008 4:29AM

<< Im also thinking....should I have the Frank Robinson Rookie, Bench Rookie, and 68 Rose signed in red ink??? I think it might look pretty sharp... >>

AVOID the red ink (you will be disappointed)

yankeeno7 · July 18, 2008 4:31AM

Thank you for that advice...I'll stick with Black or Blue

fur72 · July 18, 2008 4:35AM

I was wondering the same thing. For instance the first night of the National Fergie Jenkins is signing. If I give him a black pen to sign with will he be pissed?

yankeeno7 · July 18, 2008 4:39AM

Fergie is a pretty easy going guy...I dont think he would mind at all. When I went up for my card to be signed, he had the regular sharpie in hand...one of his employees? said "Fergie, sign cards with this one"....Fergie looked up and said "Which one would you like me to use?" I was kind of taken back and just said "Whichever is fine!"...he grabbed the extra fine point and signed. He was a real nice, down to earth guy. Him I wouldnt be afraid to ask. I just wonder how McCovey or Rose will respond LOL

prscott933 · July 18, 2008 4:41AM

In my experience with Rose he is a nice guy. I wouldn't be afraid to ask him to use something else. But, when I met him it was basically the two of us and not a crowd... maybe a lot of people would make him less likely to spend more time switching pens.

fur72 · July 18, 2008 4:46AM

Last time I got his auto he was on the phone and signing everything with a sharpie, even baseballs. Should I have interrupted his call? "Hey buddy would u mind using a pen on this ball? Don't forget the HOF inscription either!"

Just though it was odd that he was giving a radio interview at the time.

thenavarro · July 18, 2008 4:46AM

If you are paying for the autographs, ask them to sign with whatever YOU want. You are the customer spending the money so you should get the choice. Just be polite about it and most will comply.

However, if they are signing as a courtesy to you with no fee involved, then you might judge that on a case by case basis based on their demeanor and make it a game time decision on whether to ask them to change pens or not.

Mike

MantleMarisFordBerra · July 18, 2008 4:55AM

I think time is a key factor, especially since it sounds like you'll be standing in line with lots of people behind you. That means have the pen you want him to use ready, cap off, in your hand positioned so he can simply garb it & sign. If you are ready like this and ask in a polite (and quick) manner I can't imagine anyone having an issue with your request. Good luck!!

yankeeno7 · July 18, 2008 4:59AM

Yeah, I would never not be ready if that is what I want done. I'll have them handy and ready to go!

brianwintersfan · July 18, 2008 8:07AM

I say if you are paying have them sign your item how you want. I bring my own sharpies all of the time.

NCDOLFAN · July 18, 2008 8:25AM

I've had a lot of autographs signed at shows and by experience, time does matter, but if you have your pen ready along with the item theres usually no problem. If asking for something special like a hof or player # inscription, then address them directly as Mr. ----------, could you please also put your player # ,etc. Unless they are under contract not to sign certain inscriptions like Hank Aaron with 755 they will usually take care of you. Good Luck.

P.S. Super sharpies are ok but sometimes the ink can't keep up to the signer and you can get week spots in the signature. A med. point ball or roller pen can give sharp and bold results also.

yankeeno7 · July 24, 2008 6:49AM

Man, I am PI$$ED!! My 1956 Aparicio was never mailed to me. I paid for it on 7/14 and it hasnt arrived. I am cutting the seller slack because I have bought from him many times before and service was great. Just so happened to be this one time. But damn, I really wanted to get that Aparacio rookie autographed because he doesnt do many shows. I guess i'll just have to wait and get one next year, that is if he hopefully shows up in Cooperstown for the next induction.

I suppose I'll have to get either my crappy 1958 Topps All Star or crack a 1966 Topps PSA 6. The 58 isnt THAT crappy...probably exmt but o/c.

yankeeno7 · July 24, 2008 6:50AM

My only hope is that the card arrives tomorrow...but Im not counting on it.

thenavarro · July 24, 2008 8:06AM

Yankeeno7,

Have fun at those signings. I'm supposed to have 5 rookie cards signed there this weekend but MAB Celebrity Services has evidently lost them and doesn't look like I'm going to be getting them signed afterall. Get a few pics if you can!!

Mike

rube26105 · July 24, 2008 2:17PM

<If you are paying for the autographs, ask them to sign with whatever YOU want. You are the customer spending the money so you should get the choice. Just be polite about it and most will comply.>

i share mikes post exactly,

ripkenintheminors · July 24, 2008 2:26PM

<< <If you are paying for the autographs, ask them to sign with whatever YOU want. You are the customer spending the money so you should get the choice. Just be polite about it and most will comply.>

i share mikes post exactly, >>

Agreed.

In my limited opportunities to get player sigs I've always tried to be as respectful as possible to the person. However, you never really know what to expect. I went to the All Star Game in Atlanta several years ago and met Ozzie Smith. It was actually the second time I had met him with the first time at a Cardinals Caravan many years earlier. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a fan of the Cardinals. However, as with the ball signed at the Caravan, I thought it would be a great souvenir for a friend. Let's just say that he wasn't very happy with my request for an inscription.

I did some three years of media relations as a hobby in a minor league system. Before then I was all about getting stuff signed at games. With the media badge I was restricted from getting things signed. One day I was speaking with 2 guys at lunch on this subject and they gave me their thoughts. In regards to inscriptions they said they didn't mind when it's a single request, but when a guy comes with 9 cards and they want an inscription on all of them it's pretty frustrating.

yankeeno7 · July 24, 2008 2:26PM

I got a return email from the seller of the 56 Aparicio. He said he mailed it on Wednesday...a freakin week after I paid for it. I dont know if it will make it here for me to grab before I have to head back out on saturday cuz I doubt it will make it here by tomorrow. Son of a B....!!!! Talk about being a day late and a dollar short....

metrotheme · July 24, 2008 11:24PM

Now I know the people who spend close to $1,000 on autographs. Maybe it is inflation, but the costs of IP signings have became way out of control for my tastes. Once it gets over $20, I can't do it anymore, and it seems like the minimum for "scrubs" are now $20 (at least looking at MAB shows). I remember paying $30 for Musial back in the mid 1990's and feeling like that was alot.

yankeeno7 · July 25, 2008 9:22AM

My 56 Aparicio didnt show up today...grrrr...anyway, I have some nice stuff to share...

Bottom9th · July 25, 2008 9:27AM

Great autos! Just out of curiosity, how much did they set you back?

yankeeno7 · July 25, 2008 9:37AM

Frank Robinson 75
Jim Palmer 30 each
Yogi Berra 65
Willie McCovey 85
Dwight Gooden 20 each
Harmon Killebrew 60
Gaylord Perry 30
Pete Rose 65
Nettles 40....I think is way too much for him but Steve Garvey ditched for the entire weekend so I got the former Yankees Captain with the money I was going to spend on Garvey.

Tomorrow is Aparicio, Sutton, Brooks Robinson, Bench, and Seaver
There are a lot more guys there but thats what Im getting

leathtech · July 25, 2008 10:13AM

sweet cards... you spent more than I would on those guys, but if your happy that's all that matters.

mkg809 · July 25, 2008 10:16AM

Very nice. I would like a Gooden myself.

Elemenopeo · July 25, 2008 10:32AM

Those look great. Nice work!

lawnmowerman · July 25, 2008 10:45AM

Haha barry. I got Gooden's auto for free at Subway one night

One of the nicest dudes ever.

Ironmanfan · July 25, 2008 11:30AM

<< Haha barry. I got Gooden's auto for free at Subway one night

One of the nicest dudes ever. >>

Did he remember to give you the stamps after you paid?

lawnmowerman · July 25, 2008 11:32AM

<< 

<< Haha barry. I got Gooden's auto for free at Subway one night

One of the nicest dudes ever. >>

Did he remember to give you the stamps after you paid? >>

lol

It was late at night. I guess he had the muchies....I really can''t imagine why

yankeeno7 · July 25, 2008 8:39PM

Actually, Gooden was a nice guy. Most of my experiences were good. For a moment, I thought I was about to PO Frank Robsinson though.

yankeeno7 · July 26, 2008 8:55AM

Well, my local post office is awesome...I called, they found that the package arrived today and I went and picked it up...the Aparicio rookie arrived....thankfully! I was really sweating it out because Aparicio doesnt come to the states to sign much because he lives in Venezuela. Anyway, here is the rest of my loot....

lawnmowerman · July 26, 2008 9:03AM

<< Actually, Gooden was a nice guy. Most of my experiences were good. For a moment, I thought I was about to PO Frank Robsinson though. >>

Nice cards Barry. What did Franky do?

yankeeno7 · July 26, 2008 9:15AM

I'm going to start a new thread with my weekend experience obtaining the autos including what I thought about the players...I hope Mike(JustMichael) pipes in with his experiences too.

Stay tuned....

freddyp23 · July 26, 2008 9:25AM

Great cards! I really like the frank robinson with brooks robinson one

mickeymantle24 · July 26, 2008 9:39AM

Yankee...

pm sent

Mike

In person autograph etiquette...Now the final autos have ARRIVED!

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