$200 for picture with Patrick Stewart?

[javasaurus]

I read a Sci-Fi convention group here on good'ol'LJ, and a recent post indicated that Patrick Stewart will be attending an upcoming con. If you want a picture with him, he'll charge you $200. WTH?

I have never understood the idea of charging for autographs. Maybe you could argue that it limits the length of the line, that only true fans would get the autograph if there was a fee involved, while those who only want to sell it on e-bay would abstain. So what you do is punish the loyal fanbase?

Feel free to ignore or discuss.

Comments

[blueeowyn.livejournal.com]

In this case, it may be trying to raise $ for a cause. I suspect that the con may be getting a cut as well (heck, it may be part of his TNG contract that they get a portion of such things ... esp. if he is in a Star Fleet uniform).

Also, the Con may not be paying an honorarium and this is how he recoups some cost.

Now charging $5 for an autographed picture I can sort of understand because it costs some $ to have the pictures printed (and shipped) and 5s are easier to deal with than the mix of dollars and cents it actually costs.

[dawntreader]

but you are actually buying the picture that comes with the autograph. if you bring your own stuff from home, you still pay for the autograph.

i don't know. i can see both sides and how it looks bad.

but so many people are going to take the autograph and sell it for way more than they paid. why should an actor sign away a thousand copies of stuff for free for a bunch of strangers to make big bucks off eBay?