The Cost Of Autographs (Part 2)

Okay, this my second write up related to something I posted way back in October, about the cost of autographs at conventions and me having the simple philosophy - if you don't like the price don't pay it, and I guess in some ways this could contradict what I originally wrote.

So the thing is I like to keep with events (even US ones) even if I am not attending - it can give you a flavour of who might be doing the convention scene and everything and checked out Em-Com, an event run in Nottingham and they recently announced Tim Rose as guest.

Now it feels like I'm going to be picking on Tim Rose from here on out - but it's not the case, he's Admiral Ackbar, he's done plenty of work too be proud of... well I bring him up because he is the key reason why I decided to write this up, simply how much he is charging?

Now attendees might feel the price he is charging (which is going rate now) is completely reasonable, but he is now £25... Seriously does this now seem a little high for somebody of his level, this is scary that he is charging this amount and I hate to blame a franchise in a write up but many Star Wars related guests have mysteriously let their prices creep up since the release of Force Awakens.

Now Tim Rose is the sort of guy I would have got 3 things signed for at £15 (crazy I know that would cost more), he's worked on Doctor Who, Labyrinth and Howard The Duck, I'd likely have got something from them, but if he is charging £25 a go, I'd even question getting him on my Doctor Who poster (which by now you know I like getting autographs), I mean he'd cost me more then getting some of The Doctors on there!

If Tim Rose feels his value is £25 and fans in attendance are willing to pay what will it matter to him, but the worry where does it stop with some names. Imagine an event where 8 names you wanted charged even just £5 - £10 more all of a sudden you could be talking another 40-50 quid easy... 

I suppose what I am writing here is I'm just frightened for the hobby of in person convention autograph hunting when prices for "smaller" names are past £20 it will potentially scare me from attending in years to come...

2017!

So my first post of 2017... What are my hopes for the year?

My biggest priority is just have fun with this hobby - I am planning on attending a truckload of events from a handful of locals one, and at the moment a couple of national ones, and (tied together) one on a boat and an international one, so 2017 could be my most exciting year yet as a collector.

If you look at an earlier blog entry I have already wrote my goals for 2017 which includes adding names to my posters, starting new posters and all sorts of things I might forget to do as time goes on, I decided to just do a quick, best and worst of 2016 below

Favourite Guest - Sarah Douglas at Newcastle in November was absolutely lovely.

Worst Guest - I didn't really meet anybody that was too awful that I am struggling for a name here.

Favourite Convention - Hull Comic Con was probably the coolest since it had an all bunch of guests that interested me and it was local

Worst Convention - sorry Hull Horror Fest, it gets the vote just for initially promising so much and not delivering on it.

I was extremely happy with the posters, Chirashi's and other things I got signed this year, My Doctor Who poster went from 2 names to 13 this year, and I had posters for movies Hellboy, Superman II and series Game Of Thrones started and the hope for more names added and more posters for that matter in 2017.

So yeah the general gist of 2017 for me is excitement for the year ahead!