Stopping the selling of autographs on eBay?

[Nathan1872002]

And absolutely! These comments about how this one person makes a living needs to stop. Seriously, get a life people and keep doing your collecting. The world would be such a better place if everyone would mind their own business!
I have bought on eBay several times to get the rare autographs, and people like Canadagraphs make that possible for me to do. You guys should really check yourselves. This person is no different than anyone else trying to make a living.

[SaidDuran]

The only way to stop the selling is to stop the buying. As long as there are idiots who purchase autographs there will be idiots who will sell.

I was always trying to get my autographs personally. TTM or IP, but there are certain celebrities, who I will never meet. So there are the people who will give me what I want (I bought autograph twice). But I am not feeling like an idiot.

It is true, sometimes I feel little bit angry, when I have a professional collector next to me and he has a lot autographs and I dont have anything. But lets be honest, it is part of our hobby. And always has been. Maybe I am weird, but I love the adrenaline, when the celebrities are next to me and I must "fight" for their autographs with professionals.

[packrat]

The world would be such a better place if everyone would mind their own business!

That is so untrue. The world would be in total chaos if everyone minded their own business. But that's a whole 'nother topic, I suppose.

I have bought on eBay several times to get the rare autographs, and people like Canadagraphs make that possible for me to do. You guys should really check yourselves. This person is no different than anyone else trying to make a living.

As it relates to the dealers, I am refering to those who pose as collectors and then turn around and sell on eBay and other similar web sites. They are the ones the celebrities point to when they say they won't sign anymore. They are the ones that make this hobby of collecting autographs more and more difficult. I have no problem with dealers or sellers who are authorized by the celebrities or athletes.

And I have checked myself quite often. For the amount of money that I would be sending to an unathorized dealer, I can attend a paid signing. I could donate or pay a fee to the celebrity or sports personality. I can send out to a paid signing by mail order to most event organizers. Or I could learn to be happy with what I can get and stop obsessing over who I don't have or those who have stopped signing.

[SaidDuran]

The world would be such a better place if everyone would mind their own business!

That is so untrue. The world would be in total chaos if everyone minded their own business. But that's a whole 'nother topic, I suppose.

I have bought on eBay several times to get the rare autographs, and people like Canadagraphs make that possible for me to do. You guys should really check yourselves. This person is no different than anyone else trying to make a living.

As it relates to the dealers, I am refering to those who pose as collectors and then turn around and sell on eBay and other similar web sites. They are the ones the celebrities point to when they say they won't sign anymore. They are the ones that make this hobby of collecting autographs more and more difficult. I have no problem with dealers or sellers who are authorized by the celebrities or athletes.

And I have checked myself quite often. For the amount of money that I would be sending to an unathorized dealer, I can attend a paid signing. I could donate or pay a fee to the celebrity or sports personality. I can send out to a paid signing by mail order to most event organizers. Or I could learn to be happy with what I can get and stop obsessing over who I don't have or those who have stopped signing.

You can attend a paid signing? Wow, I would really love attend it sometimes, but I do not have a chance. Tell me, what autographs do you collect? Sports autographs? I think it is not too difficult to reach sports personalities. And maybe in some countries it is easy to attend paid signing with actors, but lets be honest, who is there?

For example, take London Comic Con, I am pretty sure that sometimes there are big names, but I have never seen there people like Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, etc. And those people (and of course many many other, that is just an example) are people who I care about.

Think about it, you are a big big fan of Robert De Niro, but he never was in your country, he is sending secretarial autographs, so what you can do. Pay for it. And that is why I am sometimes happy that there are people like Canadagraphs.

[packrat]

Tell me, what autographs do you collect? Sports autographs? I think it is not too difficult to reach sports personalities.

Yes, I mostly collect baseball and some football autographs. But I also collect some celebrities, usually themes based on favorite TV shows or movies. Reaching sports personalities is about the same as reaching celebrities. Some sign for free, some require a fee/donations, and some don't sign at all. It's all about the same.

For example, take London Comic Con, I am pretty sure that sometimes there are big names, but I have never seen there people like Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, etc. And those people (and of course many many other, that is just an example) are people who I care about.

There are a few things that could be done. You could be patient and wait to see if they show up in the UK. There are some people who might be willing to do a 50/50 if you can find them. A 50/50 is where you send two photos and get one back signed; the other person keeps the other photo for himself. Or like I said in my previous post, you could follow paid appearances through various web sites and see if they are appearing at a show where the organizer accepts mail order requests. If they won't accept an SASE or refuse to send to your country, PM me and I'll be glad to work something out at cost. That is, if you can't find anyone from this board who is going to attend the show or event.

Think about it, you are a big big fan of Robert De Niro, but he never was in your country, he is sending secretarial autographs, so what you can do. Pay for it. And that is why I am sometimes happy that there are people like Canadagraphs.

Then I can learn to live without Robert De Niro's autograph. It won't kill me if I can't get him. I'll turn my focus towards getting someone else.

[canadagraphs1]

well, I thought this absurd thread was dead & buried...but since its not...I guess I'll reply....

If they really want the autographs they can get it via venue. Dealers are scum I am sorry you can say all you want I need to make money blah,blah,blah but you ruin it for others. Don't you get it?? I hope celebs stop signing for you.

What percentage of the general public do you think understand that you can occasionally get an autograph via venue, production offices or arenas? VERY FEW!
The mother of 3 living in a town nowhere near a big city, let alone even the same state/province as her kids favorite stars/athletes can buy, more often than not, an autograph, have it shipped to her, IN FAR LESS TIME, for the same price, or less than she could do it herself. When you take in the time to find an item, purchase it, write a note, package the item, mail it...then you are actually hoping it comes back. From a practicality standpoint, anyone with an even moderately busy life is saving themselves a crapload of time and in some cases, money, just buying it.
You are entitled to your opinion on dealers. Personally, I have that same opinion on varying subsections of society myself. Odds are, I am probably partially wrong JUST LIKE YOU.
You seriously think sellers ruined the hobby for collectors? I have been doing this since the 80s. FAR before ebay, and trust me, athletes were just as gruff about signing then as they are now. On average, a celebrity or athlete likely (for the time efficiency aspect) would rather deal with pros than random fans. A fan is often unorganized, wants multiple types of interactions and is often goes away wanting more than they got in interaction time. For them to sign 10 items for 2-4 dealers will take them several minutes less than to sign that same quantity for 10 different "fans". I see it everyday, players are flustered & annoyed because Joe Fan is fumbling with the item, finally gets it, has to find a pen, then gives him that, gets the item signed, now wants a photo with them, needs to find someone to take the photo, explain how the camera works, ooops it didnt work, try again, ok, now he wants to tell the player what a big fan of his he is. Player is now annoyed. Next person comes up, repeat process.

I dont NEED you to like me. I frankly dont care. But your opinion on matters is slightly flawed. For each player that probably doesnt want to sign because of a seller, theres 1 that doesnt stop because he doesnt want to deal with the overly zealous fans. They ruint hings just as much as we are.

So working is not an option, but standing in airports, arenas, theatres, and in celeb filled areas for hours and hours on end is just fine??? You can't stand at a cash register, yet all the work you do in tracking down stars seems to be fine???

I would respect you sooo much more had you just flat out spoke the truth. You don't want to work a 9 to 5 so you sell autographs. In a day of successful graphing you can get 3-5 big items and profit 50-100$ each and that's why you do it.

I think known dealers should be treated as any other business. Register with the BBB, get a tax ID, business license, carry liability insurance, and pay taxes then the dealers will fade into the sunset.

Actually, no. I cant. Ask any of the regulars in Vancouver, they will tell you, I miss a LOT of days because I cant get up the next day after overworking myself the day before. in the winter, I will probably miss 10-20 days of hounding with back & knee problems arising from hounding the day before. I spent over a $1000 on my last trip, and spent a day & 1/2 not hounding when there was stuff to hound because I just physically didnt think I could do it again. So dont give me this "oh, you dont want to work a real job" b.s.

"A day of successful graphing" in Vancouver is FAR short of 3-5 big items at profits of $50-100. Thats like a 1 time every year or 2 event. That might be possible in L.A. any given week, but in Vancouver, getting ONE $50-100 item in a week is a pretty good week.

As for paying taxes. We most certainly have to do that...ESPECIALLY ME. Anyone on disability has to tell the government EVERY MONTH (not just at tax season) what we made....and I can tell you, they are far from tolerant about any sort of possible discrepancies.Trust me, I am paying them back $20 a month for a year because I screwed up my records ONCE.

Sorry, but I somewhat agree. Its people like this who are the reason some celebs and athletes no longer sign...people are selling autographs, probably not reporting it as income, and causing signers to be skeptical about signing.

Again, yes some do stop signing because of sellers....but theres alot as well that dont because of FANS.

as for income reporting, I know in Canada, its pretty thoroughly watched. Maybe in the U.S. they fly under the radar more?

It's not just that, it's the sneakiness of it all. They pose as collectors and request autographs on premium items only to turn around to sell the unsuspecting celeb's/sports personality's autographs.

I do a ton of IP graphing in my neck of the woods during baseball season. I pretty much know everyone who graphs here and I know who the dealers are. I have never once seen a dealer be upfront and tell the player what their intentions are. That is why celebs and sports personalities are becoming more and more reluctant to sign. They don't know by looking at us who is a collector and who is a dealer, so they'll only sign one or sometimes simply don't sign. Or they give really lousy autographs to lessen the value of the item.

The only way to stop the selling is to stop the buying. As long as there are idiots who purchase autographs there will be idiots who will sell.

I can agree with you on the dealers who arent forthcoming with players types.
Most legit, honest dealers dont like them either.

You are saying you have NEVER heard a dealer fess up to why they have 6 of the exact same photo for someone??? Really? "Never" is the line your going with here??? Lmao.

So people who buy autographs now are idiots? Well, next time you need your house painted, or decorated, or your car serviced, or even want a Starbucks coffee, you probably should do it yourself...wouldnt want us thinking your an idiot for paying someone to do something you could do yourself.

I agree with everyone that thinks its wrong selling autographs. I'm pretty sure if you loved the celeb enough, you would rather have the knowledge that this precise autograph was for you. If you buy them I think that you can't be as big a fan as you think (unless of course, its from someone who has passed away or no longer signs, so buying is the only way), becase if you were, you would put the time and effort in, and think it was an achievement.

Again, as I pointed out earlier. Many people simply dont have the time, or the knowledge on how to obtain an item ttm...so, instead of buying a plane ticket to whereever the celeb/athlete is, put in dozens of hours trying to figure out where they COULD be, and if lucky enough to get it right, then jostle for a position with possible dozens of hundreds of people for several hours....they buy 1, for a literal fraction of the potential cost.
Try telling the mother of 3 who works 2 jobs, hasnt had a vacation day in 2 yrs that she is expected to fly somewhere, spend hours, possibly days, just because her kids want autographs from the new player/celeb of the week. Good luck, she likely will knock you out for even suggesting it.

[canadagraphs1]

And absolutely! These comments about how this one person makes a living needs to stop. Seriously, get a life people and keep doing your collecting. The world would be such a better place if everyone would mind their own business!
I have bought on eBay several times to get the rare autographs, and people like Canadagraphs make that possible for me to do. You guys should really check yourselves. This person is no different than anyone else trying to make a living.

I have to agree regretably with packrat about the everyone minding their own business part. Without people voicing their displeasure with things, everyone would just run around doing whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. ..that being said, there are obviously far bigger things to whine about than the reselling of autographs.

Also, thanks for making a point of voicing your viewpoint on sellers as well.
Some people here dont get that its filling a market that exists.
People also dont NEED their houses painted, or their cars washed...but they still will pay to have that service done, even though they could do it themselves. yet will scream at me till they are blue in the face for providing a service to people that would rather have someone else do the dirty work for them.

The world would be such a better place if everyone would mind their own business!

That is so untrue. The world would be in total chaos if everyone minded their own business. But that's a whole 'nother topic, I suppose.

I have bought on eBay several times to get the rare autographs, and people like Canadagraphs make that possible for me to do. You guys should really check yourselves. This person is no different than anyone else trying to make a living.

As it relates to the dealers, I am refering to those who pose as collectors and then turn around and sell on eBay and other similar web sites. They are the ones the celebrities point to when they say they won't sign anymore. They are the ones that make this hobby of collecting autographs more and more difficult. I have no problem with dealers or sellers who are authorized by the celebrities or athletes.

And I have checked myself quite often. For the amount of money that I would be sending to an unathorized dealer, I can attend a paid signing. I could donate or pay a fee to the celebrity or sports personality. I can send out to a paid signing by mail order to most event organizers. Or I could learn to be happy with what I can get and stop obsessing over who I don't have or those who have stopped signing.

perhaps if you live in NYC or L.A. attending paid signings is a reasonable option for growing your collection. If you live in a tumbleweed populated town in the middle of the country...not such a realistic option. You dont exactly see Angelina Jolie & Tom Cruise everyday in the middle of nowhere... so how are you going to get them without paying an exorbitant amount in airfare, hotel & gas/cab to find them?? Whats a more practical option?? Pay someone that already has one $50-75 for one, or sped nearly a grand on the CHANCE you might get one?

perhaps you can learn to be happy with what you got, and that works for YOU. But to others, that isnt acceptable. Some people WANT an autograph from someone specific, or need it to finish a set, and just accepting defeat isnt in their vocabulary. They are willing to outsource the job to get what they want.

You can attend a paid signing? Wow, I would really love attend it sometimes, but I do not have a chance. Tell me, what autographs do you collect? Sports autographs? I think it is not too difficult to reach sports personalities. And maybe in some countries it is easy to attend paid signing with actors, but lets be honest, who is there?

For example, take London Comic Con, I am pretty sure that sometimes there are big names, but I have never seen there people like Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, etc. And those people (and of course many many other, that is just an example) are people who I care about.

Think about it, you are a big big fan of Robert De Niro, but he never was in your country, he is sending secretarial autographs, so what you can do. Pay for it. And that is why I am sometimes happy that there are people like Canadagraphs.

Just thought I should add to this by pointing out...even if the celeb you want DOES do a signing/event in your town, there is no guarantee you can 1- make it on that day/time, 2- the event doesnt have some stipulation 9only kids under 14 or you must be a member of some place etc) 3- That they will ONLY be signing a specific item that you do not want (if you collect photos, it does you no good if they are only signing books etc).

Paid signings are GOOD, I have nothing wrong with them (although MANY of the people putting them on are shadier than any in person hound I have ever met)...but the reality is, sometimes you cant fill a void with them...and thats where autograph hounds who sell off what they get in person come in handy.



and to finally finish this.....as I pointed out more than once, I am doing nothing more than providing a service for people unwilling to, or incapable of, doing it themselves. Everyone in this thread who criticized my work has themselves paid for a service they could do themselves. Would you all like to be the pot or the kettle today?

[NoRightClick]

Seems like my autograph is being sold again on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bylli-Crayone-Signe ... 483d6c9a97

You can get it for free just like anyone else through this site.
DONT BUY IT FROM EBAY!

[Jaffer]

The problem with canadagraphs self-righteous logic is that being a professional car washer, house painter etc etc does'nt ruin anything, affect anyone or get in anyones way. With dealers, there is irrefutable evidence they are ruining what is supposed to be a hobby. I don't know about others on this board, but I would have more respect for dealers if they could own up to reality every now and then. The almost cowardly deflection of blame to slightly dim-witted fans is hilarious.

I also think packrat has a brilliant point. There comes a time when you just have to be happy with what you've got,rather then bemoan what you cannot get. If you don't like ebay, don't buy from it, and it will die.

[rittdk01]

^^^ Im fine with dealers getting autographs and selling on Ebay. Theres so many fakes that people would just make their own if they didnt get them ttm and the celeb would still p!ss and moan and say thats why they dont sign. Seriously the celebs use Ebay as an excuse to be lazy. I would gladly trade opening mail and stopping to sign autographs for millions of dollars. Comes with the job.

Theres 221 Tom Hanks signed items on Ebay and he doesnt sign much at all. How many of those u think are real maybe a couple lol. @ least ttm sellers are moving the real thing to fans.