Buckeye Autograph Sessions (all merged)

[redman4192]

While Cardboard Heroes can be high priced on other items from time to time, let's be fair here. Before this became official, I had spoken with several different sources(which will remain nameless) that indicated Troy's people were letting it be known that the cost was going to be around $100 a signature. And like Ginn, his price is not a flat fee, but in fact per signature. Most of you would be really surprised at how little the promoters make, in this case Cardboard Heroes. They mainly do it to drum up other business and promote their store/event. In fact, a lot of them look at it as advertisement money. It makes people much more aware of their event or store than a radio, TV or print spot. From my conversations with several of these sources, they were/are furious/upset by the prices that were/are being thrown around from Smith's people. They believe that it reflects poorly on them, and even causes them to do less of a markup because they feel guilty charging the consumer so much. While in some cases in can be the store/promotor, this is not one of them.

True-this is a rare signature as far as his Heiman/OSU/QB status, but to be charging more than NFL HOF QB's and such is just plain ridiculous. As sick as it makes me proclaim it, I'll be one of the fools paying this outlandish fee. Maybe I'll come to my senses and and sit this one out...:)

 

[hawaiianbuckeye]

While Cardboard Heroes can be high priced on other items from time to time, let's be fair here. Before this became official, I had spoken with several different sources(which will remain nameless) that indicated Troy's people were letting it be known that the cost was going to be around $100 a signature. And like Ginn, his price is not a flat fee, but in fact per signature. Most of you would be really surprised at how little the promoters make, in this case Cardboard Heroes. They mainly do it to drum up other business and promote their store/event. In fact, a lot of them look at it as advertisement money. It makes people much more aware of their event or store than a radio, TV or print spot. From my conversations with several of these sources, they were/are furious/upset by the prices that were/are being thrown around from Smith's people. They believe that it reflects poorly on them, and even causes them to do less of a markup because they feel guilty charging the consumer so much. While in some cases in can be the store/promotor, this is not one of them.

True-this is a rare signature as far as his Heiman/OSU/QB status, but to be charging more than NFL HOF QB's and such is just plain ridiculous. As sick as it makes me proclaim it, I'll be one of the fools paying this outlandish fee. Maybe I'll come to my senses and and sit this one out...:)

Best analysis yet of what's actually going on. If you can wait a few years you'll get his autograph for drop dead bargain prices compared to these current rates.

HAYN

 

[CriticalSteve]

I was at the Columbus Card Show this weekend and a vendor had Troy Smith autographs for $40.00. 8x10 photos.

 

[buckeyeboy]

From my conversations with several of these sources, they were/are furious/upset by the prices that were/are being thrown around from Smith's people. They believe that it reflects poorly on them

If this is true, they could simply refuse to deal with Smith's people and tell customers that they're better off in the long run by not giving in to such exorbitant demands. Places like Cardboard Heroes agreeing with Smith's people and charging $69-$99-$139 only perpetuates the problem.

 

[Padraig]

Exactly. If Cardboard Herores or any other Mall, Group or Company is so Furious, and so concerned that these prices would reflect badly on them, then simply don't book him.

Yet Cardboard Heroes is currently trying to book Troy for at least 3 more gigs? The fact is, it (almost) always boils down to money. Would the Malls and card shops of the world like to charge less so that they attract more customers, perhaps even passing some of the saving along to those customers...I would imagine. But it's not Troy Smith's or Reggie Bush's or any other person's responsiblity to do so at their own expense.

I do feel bad for some of the other graduating players, because as HAYN said, the loss in the National Championship hurt the demand for their autographs this year, but I doubt very much that Troy will be hurt too much by it (getting less, sure, but not necessarily hurt so to speak).

And for the record, I don't think that Cardboard Heroes (since that is who we originally strted the conversation about) is getting rich off having Troy or Teddy or A.J. last year come in for a show here and there. But if it wasn't profitable for them, they wouldn't do it at all.

Maybe later in his career / life Troy will be doing shows for a whole lot less. But there's also a chance that he's the last Heisman winner OSU sees in the next 12 or 25 years. Maybe he goes on the the NFL and has a spectacular career as a Pro. Maybe he turns to a religous life as a monk or hermit and he's never heard from again, driving the price up even higher...point being demand (and supply) dictate cost / value. People are obviously willing to pay the price, as with so many other products in life many of us find to be outragous, so there's not much we can do about it other than pay those prices and have his autograph, don't pay those prices and go without..........and piss and moan about it on a message board if that makes you feel better.

 

[Bucklion]

Only b/c they WON the NC!

People are not turning out this year b/c of the ass wooping these guys took at the hands of Florida and they're bitter about it!

Remember these guys were 12-1 and OUTRIGHT B10 Champs! However, people are only remembering the LAST game. It would be MUCH different had we beat Florida. Sad really.

HAYN

Yes, more people would be paying the big $ for Troy and the rest had they won the NC...which would be even worse for those of us trying to stick in the hobby on any kind of budget. They'll still get plenty though...and the pieces on ebay without certification from an official signing will then plummet.

One other thing to consider...It isn't now, nor will it ever be, cheap to get Barry Sanders, who won the Heisman in 1988...compare that to, say, Rashan Saalam? Troy's pro career will have some bearing on future price as well.

 

[hawaiianbuckeye]

and the pieces on ebay without certification from an official signing will then plummet.

The ONLY good thing I can see out of this!

HAYN

 

[OhioState49]

True, but Cardboard Heroes will make WAY more money if people actually show up to have Troy sign stuff.

The going rate for things that Troy has already signed is nowhere near what Cardboard Heroes is charging per signature. On ebay, signed 8x10's have sold for between $9.99 and $41, much lower than the $69.95 Cardboard Heroes is charging; signed mini-helmets have sold for between $25 and $102.50, and Cardboard Heroes wants $99.95 just for Troy's signature on a mini-helmet (i.e., you still have to buy the helmet yourself for about $25); and there are a bunch of signed authentic jerseys that didn't even sell for $150, while Cardboard Heroes wants $139.95 just for the signature on the jersey (i.e., you still have to buy the jersey for at least $50 for a replica and well over $100 for an authentic).

I understand that particularly if the item is for your personal collection, there is added value to meeting the player and being there when he signs the item. However, my point still is that Cardboard Heroes is charging much more than what the market will bear. Accordingly, if no one shows up and they just have him sign a bunch of their stuff for resale (which they will undoubtedly do), then the secondary market is the proper source to which to look, and all signs indicate that Cardboard Heroes will not make much money.

But the ones on ebay MIGHT be fakes.....

 

[OhioState49]

Maybe later in his career / life Troy will be doing shows for a whole lot less. But there's also a chance that he's the last Heisman winner OSU sees in the next 12 or 25 years.

You don't think Beanie or Henton could win a heisman?

 

[buckeyeboy]

But the ones on ebay MIGHT be fakes.....

No doubt about it. But, if Cardboard Heroes later sells a mini-helmet that Troy signed, do you really think that it will be able to get $127.90 (=$99.95 they're charging for his signature + $27.95 they're charging for the mini-helmet)? I don't either. Accordingly, we agree that Cardboard Heroes will make MUCH less money off Troy's appearance if there are fewer customers, notwithstanding the fact that they'll have him sign stuff that they'll sell later in their stores.

 

[coltsfan16]

Only b/c they WON the NC!

People are not turning out this year b/c of the ass wooping these guys took at the hands of Florida and they're bitter about it!

Remember these guys were 12-1 and OUTRIGHT B10 Champs! However, people are only remembering the LAST game. It would be MUCH different had we beat Florida. Sad really.

HAYN

every signing that i have been to has been packed.

 

[Miller_Time]

every signing that i have been to has been packed.

I know the Ginn signing I was at Saturday in Lima did not represent the statement that no one is turning out. It was packed and the $45 price tag did not appear to drive anyone away, nor did the NC game loss.

Now the Pittman signing was not a great turn-out, but there is a difference between Pittman and Ginn and Smith in terms of popularity. Despite the loss, Ginn and Smith are extrememly popular and will gather a crowd regardless of price IMO.

 

[buckeyeboy]

Did anyone make it to the signing at the Veterans Memorial in Columbus this past weekend? If so, how was it?

 

[Padraig]

Maybe later in his career / life Troy will be doing shows for a whole lot less. But there's also a chance that he's the last Heisman winner OSU sees in the next 12 or 25 years.

You don't think Beanie or Henton could win a heisman?

Without a doubt they and several other players that the OSU football program brings in and helps develope have the talent that they could win a heisman. But that has always been true of the players that OSU has and will continue to have, yet we 'only' have 6 men of the scarlet & gray who can lay claim to that fraternity.

I was just saying that it's been a dozen years since it happed last for tOSU, and 20 years before that since it had happened...and 20 years before that, and so on and so on.

It's a rare thing to have a Heisman winner for your school, therefore that creates added 'value' to Troy's signature. High prices come when something is 'rare'. If we start cranking out Heisman Trophy winners year after year after year at OSU, then it won't command such a premium, but as of now it still does.

Having said all that:

Go Beanie!!! Heisman 2008 :osu:

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I read thru the thread and didnt see it mentioned but heard on 1460 today that Troy is charging $20 or $25 just to personalize it....

So for him to write To Joe I would have to pay 25 dollars let alone for him to write Troy Smith and pay X amount dollars...

IMO this stuff is getting out of hands...