Conference school::sports_memorabilia

316.0. "Autograph Show Decorum" by CERBUS::KARLSON (Only 93 shopping days until Xmas!) Mon Sep 23 1991 13:53

    
    Here's a primer for autographs shows, in case you've never been to one.
    
    1) If you are not paying for an autograph ticket, do NOT expect to be
       allowed into the autograph area to "just say hi", take a picture,
       or just plain "see Joe".
    
       There are a lot of people who paid money for an autograph, and with
       a player of magnitude (ala Joe D.), there are going to be a LOT of
       people who want an autograph, and paid for that privilege.
    
       Very often, if there is additional time at the end of a guest's
       scheduled appearance time, the promoter will allow people to walk
       up chat, pose for a picture, whatever.  But don't stand outside of
       the autograph area bellowing that you want to "see Joe DiMaggio
       dammit!  I paid my admission I want to shake his hand!".
    
       Buy a ticket if you want to see the guest.
    
    2) If the autograph guest is a player of magnitude, or extremely
       "hot", BUY YOUR AUTOGRAPH TICKETS IN ADVANCE.  Joe DiMaggio nearly
       always sells out IN ADVANCE -- meaning there are NO TICKETS at the
       door for walk-in sales.  This is a fact of life with Joe D., and
       some other very big players.
    
       Don't show up crying because you couldn't get an autograph ticket
       of Joe DiMaggio.
    
    3) Just because you buy an advanced autograph ticket, it does NOT mean
       you get to be first in line.
    
       Almost all autograph tickets are sold by number, or by series.  Most
       shows call one letter (series) at a time, or groups of 50 numbers at
       a time.
    
       If you have series "D", even if it was ADVANCED, you're still going
       to have to wait behind A, B, and C.
    
       I've had series "N" in advanced!  I've had ticket #800-something in
       advanced.
    
    4) Do not begin forming a line outside the autograph area before the
       guest begins, in hopes of being first.  Unless you have letter A or
       number 1-50, you're going to be turned away, or IN THE WAY.
    
       Do not hang around the autograph area because you have the next
       letter, and want to be the first "B" in line.  YOU ARE IN THE WAY.
       You make it hard for the promoter to maintain order, you make ir
       hard for people who have the right number/series to make it in
       line, you make it crowded, hot and uncomfortable for all involved.
    
    5) There are usually 50-100 tickets in a series (A for example).
       However, often an experienced autograph show person buys one
       advanced ticket (an A), and buys the rest when he gets there.
    
       There are a number of myriad reasons why someone does this, but
       don't be surprised if the "A"'s take a long time.  Someone with
       one "A" ticket may have 8 to 10 items to get signed -- and only
       one of those tickets in A.  Multiply that by 50 or 100 tickets
       in series A ...
    
       And since the experienced autograph goer is more likely to have
       the low series, this is very likely to happen!
    
    6) Be patient.  Most promoters are not out to screw you.  If you're
       cooperative, and treat them with respect, they'll treat you with
       respect.  If you have a special request, talk to them about it
       on the side, don't bring it up and raise a stink in front of the
       guest.
    
    7) Remember that how you treat/interact with the guest weighs heavily
       on how the guest treats everyone after you.  If you buy an auto-
       graph ticket just so you can tell Bill Buckner how he blew the
       '86 series ... you're going to get booted, and your actions are
       going to reflect on how he treats the remaining customers.
    
       Buckner is a class act, and has had to deal with this, and doesn't
       let it affect his dealings with the public.  But other players
       aren't quite so even-tempered.
    
    
    If you have questions, ask away in this notesfile.  There are many
    of us here who have attended lots of autograph shows who will be
    glad to help you out.
    
    -rjk

    Where or how do you get tickets in advance for the autograph shows. 
    Let's say the 12/14 and 12/15 SUPERSHOW III in Andover??
    
    
    DTN 297-3496
    MR4DEC::CIOFFI
    

    
    On 100% of the shows I've seen advertised, there has either been
    "advanced tickets info", or a phone number and a name you can
    contact.
    
    About 75% of them just say something like "advanced tickets available
    and recommended".  This usually means the advanced tickets cost what
    ever is listed on the advertisement (flyer).
    
    You usually send a check or money-order (never cash) to the person
    listed for advanced tix.  You ALWAYS include a SASE (self-addressed,
    pre-stamped envelope).  This way they can mail you back the tickets,
    receipt voucher, or your check (worst case scenario).
    
    If you're unsure anout anything, you should call the person on the
    flyer, and asked them what their needs are in regards to advanced
    autograph ticket requests.
    
    I've yet to see a flyer for this SSIII, so I can't say for sure.
    If I can get my hands on a flyer, I'll try and provide specifics.
    
    -rjk

    What does something like this usually cost?
    
    

    
    Do you mean autograph tickets in general, or advanced autograph
    tickets?
    
    I've never seen a premium attached to advanced tickets, in fact,
    usually, they offer a buck or two off the ticket price if you
    order in advance (or quantity).
    
    As for autograph prices, they run the gamut from "free", all
    the way up to $250 (Campanella) PER autograph.
    
    -rjk
    
    A couple more primers:
    
    o An autograph ticket does not entitle you to more than one
      autograph.  If you want more than one item signed, buy more
      than one ticket.
    
    o The promoter/guest does NOT provide the items to be signed.
      You want a baseball signed?  Bring a baseball.
    
    

    The supershow III at andover information I got was from note 116.144.