K.I.S.S. The National Sports Collectors Convention Prices

I'm continuing my blog posts on Opportunities for Improvement with the National Sports Collectors Convention. On Tuesday, I blogged about partnership and the opportunity the National has to honor Ron Santo's legacy by teaming up with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. 

We've all heard of the K.I.S.S. method for products and processes (Keep It Simple Stup...). I think the pricing structure for the National needs some adjustments. Right now, just to walk in the door to the National you have to choose:

• One Day Pass - $18
• VIP Package - $129
• Super VIP Package $129
• All Access VIP Page - $229
• All Access Super VIP Package $279

Anyone else confused and find this insane? Oh, and this doesn't include any autograph tickets of the big name autograph stars signing at the TriStar autograph pavilion. You have to go their website and purchase that.   

I shouldn't have to create and Excel Spreadsheet to determine what admission ticket I need to attend a card show. It's the same show and the same dealers for everyone, can we cut the VIP, Super VIP, and Really Super Nice But Still Overpriced VIP packages?

Assuming you keep the $18 single day admission price, then offer a full weekend ticket plan for $50 and skip the rest of the items. I love autographs, but the Rick Reuschel complimentary autograph for a VIP ticket isn't worth the extra $100.

The National and Ron Santo's Legacy - Give to JDRF

This summer, the National Sports Collectors Convention should partner with Ron Santo's favorite charity, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

On Monday I blogged that I would dedicate the next several posts to ways the National can improve. Partnering with JDRF in honor of Ron Santo is a great first step.

Santo was a Chicago legend, a hero to many fans, and an inspiration to millions of Americans suffering from Diabetes.

I'd like to see the National partner with JDRF to raise money for the foundation. Some ideas to do this:

• Turn the Preview Night (4 hours on Wednesday) to the JDRF night - all admission funds go to the foundation. 
• Host an auction of memorabilia donated by some of the vendors attending and friends of Santo.
• Host a dinner after the Wednesday night show to benefit JDRF

There are several things that can be done to raise money for this charity. With the National in Chicago, you have a collection of fans who had a connection to Ron Santo, cheered for him when he played and cried when he lost his final battle. Let's give his fans another opportunity to think of Ron and the causes that were close his heart. The National can:

1. Provide focus on one cause for one person's legacy
2. Grab the attention by making it a one night event or proceeds from the entire weekend 
3. Engage and focus collectors
4. Make it easy to take action by having an auction, a dinner or proceeds from the weekend donated. 

There is plenty of time to make this happen.

What's the Problem with the National Sports Collectors Convention?

Let's call them "opportunities for improvement."

The National Sports Collectors Convention has started their email marketing campaign, launched some prices and began spamming the facebook fan page. Does that sound familiar? Well, it should. It's the same process and product with problems we (collectors) have received for years.

My next blog posts are dedicated to identifying these opportunities and providing solutions for them.

I really want to see The National do well. I started the original facebook group for The National and along with VOTC, started the twitter hashtag #NSCC for use when discussing it. The next several posts will reveal:

• Partnership Opportunities
• Pricing Opportunities
• Marketing Opportunities
• Vendor Management Opportunities

I've thought a lot about these areas and how The National can take advantage in them. 

Duke Snider Autograph Memory

They are living legends. We can't learn enough from them fast enough. It was sad to hear of Duke Snider's passing.

I briefly met Duke at an MAB show May 20, 2007. It was a Mets show and Duke was there signing autographs.

The picture here is Duke signing a nice Dodgers jersey. The jersey belonged to the person immediately in front of me in line. Duke's autograph four years ago wasn't the best and he didn't say much to people in line. He signed a baseball for me with the HOF '80 inscription. He looked at me, said thank you and that was plenty for me.

I'm not a Dodgers fan, but you don't have to be on to appreciate Duke Snider. RIP.

Signings Hotline is on Twitter

Signings Hotline has a twitter account. You can follow them at twitter.com/SigningsHotline.

I'd like to see their twitter feed used for:

• Offer some free autograph listing tips
• Twitter contests for free autographs - I'm sure some of their sponsors would participate
• Twitter trivia contests for 30 day free trials or membership extensions
• Re-tweets of autograph show recaps from bloggers
• Signings news from autograph companies like CSA, Mounted Memories, and MAB

I think it's great to see SigningsHotline on twitter.

I hope it's used for making connections with collectors, listening and learning more about the collectors' needs instead of treating it like a megaphone.

#fingerscrossed

Yankees GM to Appear at MAB Autograph Show

Brian Cashman is making a rare appearance at an autograph show this weekend.

MAB's Pinstripe Passion Show is scheduled (snow permitting) for Jan. 29 -30. New York Yankees' General Manager Brian Cashman will be selling his autograph for $49 plus a $10 inscription.

This is the first time I remember seeing a front office executive sitting at an autograph show table to sell their signature.

Marvin Miller Autograph Signing Through Dick Gordon Sports

Baseball would not be where it is now without Marvin Miller. It's a crime that he is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame. I think Red Barber said it best, "Marvin Miller, along with Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson, is one of the two or three most important men in baseball history."

That said, I'm making my first through the mail autograph order. Dick Gordon Sports is representing Marvin Miller at the MAB autograph show on Jan. 30. 

Dick Gordon Sports has a good reputation and solid reviews on SigningsHotline.com and MAB has always been solid. I ordered an MLB baseball for autograph. 

I can't wait to get this one in Feb! 

GTSM Pricing Announced for April 2011 NJ Show

Will someone please bring Emmitt Smith back to Earth? Once again the Dancing with the Stars winner has pricing out of this world.

Full size helmet autograph: $350
HOF inscription: $175

http://gtsportsmarketing.com/nj2011/

October CSA Autograph Show Line Up

CSA Shows has another unique and collector friendly show this month.

The October 15-17 show has more '72 Dolphin reunion guests and is heavy on the basketball guests. Some of the basketball autograph guests include:
- Magic Johnson
- Jerry West
- George Gervin

There's also a '77-78 Washington Bullets reunion (pictured here) with: Phil Chenier, Bob Dandridge, Kevin Grevey, Elvin Hayes, Tom Henderson, Dick Motta, Joe Pace, Wes Unseld, and Larry Wright. 

My favorite part of CSA Shows is the free admission on Fridays. This is perfect for the card collector who doesn't want to fight the autograph crowds. 

Willie Mays Tells Mets - Let Me Sign Autographs

Willie Mays is so concerned about lack of attendance at Citi Field that he wants to have an autograph session (for him) on the field.

According to the NY Daily News, Mays said, "I'd like to come back and do a show there, 'like an autograph session, help myself, help the Mets."

Thanks to Willie for "offering" his services for a price at Citi Field. I think this could be a good idea if:
- Willie's autograph prices come down to reality
- Fans get a tour of the ballpark including, dugout, locker room, around the outfield, bullpen, etc.
- Add some other Mets greats to the line up.

But let's be honest.  Is really Mays really going to sit in the October chill at Citi Field to sign autographs? I think we're looking at next season.

My Vince Coleman Autograph Request

Former Met and friend of firecrackers, Vince Coleman, is signing autographs.

Vince is signing at the Mounted Memories November 21 show in Chicago, IL.

What are the chances Vince signs a firecracker for me?

If you don't remember Vince's little problem . . .

Pete Rose 25 Year Anniversary - Free Print

I attended the Pete Rose 4192 celebration on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010. Everyone who went through the Reds Hall of Fame received a free print.

The picture has Pete's swing from Sept. 11, 1985. I have the picture of Pete on first base with Steve Garvey, but I didn't have one with the swing. It's a pretty nice print I'll get signed some day. One in ten given-away at the Reds Hall of Fame were already signed - I wasn't lucky enough to win one of those.

Rare Magic Johnson Public Autograph Session

I was a New York Knicks basketball fan growing up, but I wouldn't miss a Magic Johnson basketball game on TV. It didn't matter who the Lakers were playing, if Magic was in the game I wanted to watch him play. And when he played the Knicks, it was tough to route against him.

CSA Shows in Chantilly, VA sent an email today announcing that Magic Johnson will be signing autographs at their October 15-17 show. Magic's prices are:
- $125 for flats
- $150 for premium items
- $50 for inscriptions

Go to the National or the National Pastime?

I haven't blogged as much about the National this year because I was on the fence about the whole thing.

While I think the National has added some features to the help justify the $17 ticket price (raffle for Cal Ripken autograph jersey for VIP, O's tickets for Wednesday purchasers, etc), it's still $17 to walk in the door.

Last year I paid the $17 (a few times) and the parking fees to walk around the Cleveland IX Center see some dealers leaving early on Saturday or not showing up on Wednesday.

To go this year, I'd have to drive 9+ hours, stay at least 2 nights in a hotel ($200+), pay for parking ($20 per day at least), probably 2 days at the show ($34) and that's before I even look at a table or pay for a TriStar autograph. When you add the food and gas money, it becomes a pricey trip for me to search for some vintage football or baseball cards. For me, I can't justify it. I've seen the TriStar autograph guests (too many times) and I'm not one to collect the newest released cards.

When trying to decide if I should do the 9+ hour drive to the National, I decided to see what else (for the entire family) was in the 9+ hour drive radius - I found Cooperstown, NY.

This year, instead of going to the National. We're going to do the family vacation to Cooperstown, NY and swing around to Niagara Falls. The Baseball HOF is cheaper than the National, the drive is about the same, and adding the Niagara Falls trip to it should keep the Momma happy. With any luck, the Blue Jays will be home when we're in Canada and we can catch a game up there.

I wish my fellow bloggers and tweeters good luck and safe travels to Baltimore. I'll follow the #NSCC tag on twitter to see the updates and twitpics. I'll also tweet some updates from Cooperstown, Niagara Falls and Blue Jays game: twitter.com/JamesRyanJ.

Win the Autograph Jersey from Cal Ripken Jr's Back at the National

The National Sports Collectors Convention has done a much better job offering incentives and promotions to get people to attend the show. Their latest efforts is from DACardWorld.com.

"The Luckiest Kid in Town" contest is giving away a few moments with Cal Ripken Jr. and an autograph jersey of the Iron Man.  The winner will also receive 4 VIP passes and packages. Two runner-ups will receive autograph Cal Ripken Jr. bats.

More information here.

Larry Csonka Headlines CSA Show This Weekend

The CSA Show this weekend in Chantilly, VA may be their biggest show ever - at least with the number of guests they are providing.

The Collector's Showcase America will have over 50 autograph guests running Friday through Sunday.

CSA doesn't just throw out random big names and keep introducing them at every show, they really gear the show for the collectors. This quarter's show has a 2nd Miami Dolphins reunion theme and several other NFL HOF players. I'm not going to this one, but I've been to several in the past. They are worth the trip.

The Top 10 ticket sales for their July show is:
1. Larry Csonka
2. Floyd Little
3. John Randle
4. Ray Lewis
5. Paul Warfield
6. Bill Stanfill
7. Nick Buoniconti
8. Marlin Briscoe
9. Larry Seiple
10. Dan Marino

Emmitt Smith's Autograph Price Dropping

It's not where it should be, but the price of Emmitt's autograph is dropping.

Next month Emmitt is signing at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the Mounted Memories show. His price for a Premium Autograph is $299 plus $189 for an inscription.

In September, Emmitt is signing in a Plano, Texas mall for a bit cheaper. His price for a premium autograph is $269, plus $150 for an inscription.

It's not a ton, but it is $69 cheaper.

GTSM Announces Their Spectacular List

GTSM is taking over the Football Spectacular and announced their preliminary guest list. Earlier this year I provided information on GTSM filling the Spectacular void. The first batch of autograph guests include:

• Gayle Sayers
• Tim Brown 
• Desmond Howard
• Charles Woodson
• YA Tittle
• Colt McCoy 
• Troy Aikman and more

Considering the show isn't until April of 2011, this is a pretty spectacular start. The guest list so far is here.

Outrage Over Emmitt Smith Autograph Prices Builds

I've said here numerous times that I will not pay Emmitt's outrageous price demands for his autograph, but the emotions are now moving to the Hall of Fame blog.

Emmitt's individual prices on a full size helmet go for: $299 plus $189 for an inscription. The Hall of Fame is also selling a $500 super ticket that gets you an autograph of everyone going into the HOF this year. However, that $500 will only get you an autograph on a flat item for Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith.

I'm a huge Dallas fan and Emmitt was one of my favorites, but I won't pay this amount.

Maybe he would sign this transcript though:

$500 Panini Autograph Session at Football HOF

Panini is partnering with Mounted Memories and the Pro Football Hall of Fame for a $500 autograph session. Whoa!

$500 is a bit much if you ask me. In the session you get an autograph of every member of the 2010 Hall of Fame class which includes: Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, John Randle, Floyd Little, Dick LeBeau, Rickey Jackson and Russ Grimm.

Panini is also offering individual autograph tickets for Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith. Emmitt's prices are the most expensive I've seen: $299 for a full size helmet and $189 for an inscription. This is nuts. $189 for Emmitt to write "HOF 2010."

I'm a big Cowboys fan and have all the other HOFers (sans Landry), but I won't be going for this one.

Click here for details.