Ralph H. Baer FAILURE

[BarnOwl]

About a week ago I sent Mr Baer (the video game pioneer) a nice letter, 3 photos, and a SASE.
Today I got my SASE back with my 3 photos unsigned, along with a typed note that reads,

"Response by me to requests such as yours are now showing up regularly on E-Bay. As a result, I am no longer going to sign any requests for autographs, sign photos that shouldn't have been copied off the web in the first place, much less take the time to sketch game systems, all of which I have done in the past.
If you are among those individuals who have no problem violating confidences, then shame on you. If you are not, then blame those who do so and whose integrity is conspicuous by its absence. -RHB."

So it's pretty obvious this guy is done signing. I was pretty disappointed to get this, but I respect it and will not violate his confidences.

Anybody else got this back too?

[fox11]

I can't stand people that sell ttms on ebay just for money its a BS move BECAUSE people that actually collect get the shitty end of the deal... sorry people ruined your chance of getting his autograph...

[BarnOwl]

I can't stand people that sell ttms on ebay just for money its a BS move BECAUSE people that actually collect get the shitty end of the deal... sorry people ruined your chance of getting his autograph...

Thank you! Could not agree more.

[knicksfannumba1]

Yet another stops signing... (Sarcastic voice) I'm shocked. (Back in normal voice) You both are exactly right and sadly its going to happen because of all people just looking to make a buck these days. It happens in person as well, you ask someone to sign a photo or card and they say "Ebay" and walk away. Its bull-crap, but we won't be able to stop it anytime soon.

[businessdog]

Well that's a bummer

They should personalize more. Not many collectors would want to buy a signed item personalized to someone else that says "To Bryan, thanks for the letter!" (Unless their name actually was Bryan....and they did write a letter to them some time in the past ) and sellers hate it because it greatly cuts down its resell "value" and discourages them to list it.

[BarnOwl]

Well that's a bummer

They should personalize more. Not many collectors would want to buy a signed item personalized to someone else that says "To Bryan, thanks for the letter!" (Unless their name actually was Bryan....and they did write a letter to them some time in the past ) and sellers hate it because it greatly cuts down its resell "value" and discourages them to list it.

Best idea I've heard all day

[whackie]

Agreed, the ebay situation is a catch-22 because as soon as people stop signing the supply decreases and the value goes up, so the chances of them signing again is even less. Mr. Baer was a great signer too. I think instead of not signing they should charge whatever fee they would feel satisfied with so when they see items on ebay it won't matter as much. But ebay also allows collectors to obtain signatures they would otherwise not be able to get.

Sucks.

[trevlacessej]

i always make sure to specifically say i want a "personalized signed photo". It's no guarantee of anything, but i figure theyd see that i want my name on it too so why woudl i sell it after that?