$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

[wilhelmina-d.livejournal.com]

I think it's just chintzy, but it may be a symptom of the actor not being paid a reasonable fee by the conference attenders and therefore needing to make up the difference. Also, I think that charging autographs actually encourages people who will "just sell it on ebay" rather than "real" fans. It's impossible to determine whether or not the "real" fans can afford $200 to get an autograph, especially after shelling out con fees and possibly hotel fees and maybe have a little left over for the dealer's room. Investors are probably more likely to be willing to make an up front investment as long as they think they can recoup their investment and a profit.

Plus, I think it's just rude to charge for an autograph. If you don't like doing them, don't do them.