Some random observations that have been taking up space in my mind.

NHL hockey pucks from Sher-Wood (formerly InGlas Co) are made in Slovakia. This would just be the rubber puck itself, as they are printed and designed in Quebec.

We recently actually had someone return a signed puck they had ordered because “I wanted a Bobby Hull Blackhawks puck, not a puck from Slovakia.”

 

 

Along those lines, can I make a respectful request to customers in general?  Be nice.  If you wanted an autographed Doug Gilmour Leafs puck and got sent a Calgary puck by mistake, just let us know and we will correct he mistake.  It’s amazing when we receive emails saying “This is entirely unacceptable and I will never do business with your company again.”

By no means are these occurrences frequent, but they do happen.  It is extremely busy during the Christmas season, and quality control suffers a little in the process.  All you have to do is inform us of the situation and it will be rectified.  If your steak dinner is brought to your table with fries instead of a baked potato, do you storm out of the restaurant?  Mistakes are bound to occur in the course of doing business, and we appreciate everyone’s patience while things get sorted out.

 

We are big fans here of Toronto Maple Leafs rookie goaltender, Jonas “The Monster” Gustavsson.  Everyone that sees him play says he is the real deal.  He was an extremely late bloomer, not hitting the radar of NHL scouts until he was 24 years old.  At least twenty-five teams showed interest in him in the off-season, and after a marathon tour and a lot of self thought, he decided the Leafs were the best team for him.

He lost his father a few years ago, his mother over the summer, and has since had two heart procedures performed.  Mix in a groin injury and it has been a difficult start to his career on this side of the ocean.

 

But Cookie (I like to call him ‘Cookie Monster’) has taken it all in stride and has the attitude of a champion.  He is still projected as the Leafs goaltender of the future and we foresee him becoming one of the top backstoppers in the league.

In a recent auction of game-used jerseys from the November 7 Hall of Fame game, Gustavsson’s sweater sold for more ($1,550) than any other player on the Leafs.

So a professional athlete had an extramarital affair; what a surprise.  You are rich, you are famous, you are in shape, and you are on the road a lot.  What do you think these guys do with their nights?  By no means am I condoning cheating on your wife – I am just saying it is far more prevalent than you would think.  What would you do if beautiful women threw themselves at you on a regular basis?

 

So Brian Burke’s son is gay.  Good for him and it’s great that Burkie accepts him as he is.  Is this really newsworthy?  I suggest we keep the sexual orientation of celebrity relatives out of the sports pages. 

 

I wrote several months ago about the demise of the BC Sports chain of stores in the Northeast U.S.  I commented how that took away another autographed memorabilia outlet and was not good for the hobby.

 

On a positive note, some stores in the chain have emerged from liquidation proceedings and reopened.  On a negative note, I received an email from a former store employee saying they stiffed several employees on money-owed when they (temporarily) went under and have no plans to make good on these debts.

Has anyone checked out my predictions (made in September) in the current edition of The Pond Chronicle?

Joe Thornton will finish top-3 in scoring.  Ryan Getzlaf and Zach Parise will each get 100 points.  The Red Wings will take a huge step backwards.  The Flyers will have goaltending issues.  Tim Thomas will struggle.  Carolina and Montreal will not make the playoffs.  The Sharks and Flames in the Western Conference and the Capitals and Penguins in the East.

 

I am thinking of renting myself out as an oracle.  Just pay no attention to my pick of Nikita Filatov as top rookie and we are good to go.

 

Thank you for all the positive comments about my last blog, The Autograph Collector’s Manifesto.  Make sure you print out a copy and show it to anyone that questions why you collect what you do.

 

Hobby icon Richard Scott is back with a new collector’s magazine called The Wantlist.  Make sure you check out his new website and consider a subscription to the magazine.  And no, I am not only saying this because I am a columnist. 

Sorry Leafs fans, but it is true.  Phil Kessel was burned in a deal last year and has no desire to make any public autograph appearances in the near future.  This is too bad, because Toronto drives the memorabilia market and Leafs fans really need someone to cheer for.  Someone besides The Monster, of course.

 

Thank you to McFarlane Toys for moving up the release date of NHL Series 23.  The new projected arrival for the first week of January will get us the figures in time for our January 8 autograph session with Marc-Andre Fleury.  Heck – it saves me a trip to Pittsburgh to get them signed.

In the same series is a new Alex Ovechkin figure that has people raving about the unique pose.  While it is definitely a cool figure, am I the only one that thinks it looks exactly like ‘N SYNC’s Joey Fatone?

 

I attended last month’s HOF Induction ceremony in Toronto and in one way it was a very unique experience.  This was my seventh year enjoying the ceremonies, but it was the first time I had ever seen current and recently retired players in attendance.

A number of Devils’ players (Brodeur, Langenbrunner, White, Parise, Pandolfo, Clarkson) shocked Lou Lamoriello by flying in to attend the ceremony.  This was no small feat, as Lamoriello keeps tabs on EVERYONE affiliated with the team, and surprising him is not the easiest of tasks.  Lamoriello even noted their attendance in his speech and comically mentioned that he hoped they anted up for a private plane since they better be back in New Jersey in time for curfew (they had a game the next night).

 

 Nicklas Lidstrom and Chris Chelios were in attendance to support Steve Yzerman, and I was able to spend some time with Mike Modano, who along with Brendan Morrow, came to see Brett Hull’s enshrinement. 

 

Obviously the NHL schedule played a part in allowing these players to attend, but it was a great bonus having them in the room.

 

I wrote several months ago about the Autograph Alert website and its commitment to exposing forgeries and fraudulent dealers within the hobby.  While not sports focused, this site is still a must read for anyone that thinks a company is reputable or beyond reproach just because their name is recognizable.  JSA, PSA/DNA, and a number of the large auction houses have been exposed and we commend the proprietors of the site (who are anonymous) for the work they are doing.  While the site often makes a great case, please remember that anyone mentioned in a negative light is innocent until proven guilty.

 

I have explained this philosophy to people on so many occasions that I figured it was about time I put it in writing.  While the readers of this blog are by no means my target audience for this rant, I figure they can relate to the questions being asked and the rationale behind my commentary.

 

 

Why would anyone pay for an autograph when you can get one for free?

 

When you attend a public autograph session (at Frozen Pond or elsewhere), you are not just buying an autograph.  You are purchasing an experience. 

 

Non-collectors can not understand how any sane person could pay $100+ just to get a player to scribble on their keepsake, but let us put that into perspective.  How many people are paying that same amount just to attend a hockey game in most major cities?  10,000 per game?  15,000?  They pay several hundred dollars for tickets to the game and parking.  They get a couple hours of mediocre entertainment and then go home disappointed when their team loses.

Now let’s assume you are paying $100 to meet and receive an autograph from Gordie Howe.  For that $100 you get to meet one of the greatest players ever to play the game.  You get to talk to him for a few seconds.  You get your picture with him.  You get a beautiful signature; potentially personalized just to you.  You get an appreciable asset, something that will have value in the future.  Most of all, you get a memory, something that will never be taken away from you.

 

I can guarantee the person that attended the hockey game will not have any long-lasting memories, and unless their ticket stub holds some value, there will be nothing left over to show for their money spent.  Sure it’s great to watch Alex Ovechkin play, but am I wrong to assume that the majority of people in the seats would eagerly trade in their ticket for an opportunity to meet him in person and get a souvenir autographed photo and a picture with him?

Of course you could spend your day waiting outside the arena or the team hotel for the chance that you see the player and he stops to sign your item.  But is the opportunity cost of your time not worth something?  Will the quality of the signature be anywhere near what you receive at a formal autograph function?  What are the chances you receive nothing more than a scribble, potentially signed in the wrong color and in the wrong location on your item?  What if you don’t get to see the player at all?

 

Why pay for an autograph when you can get one for free?  Why go to a concert when you can listen to the same songs on the radio?  Why go to the Super Bowl when you can watch it for free on television?  Sometimes I find the ignorance of this question to be mind-boggling.  Sure you can wait for the chance opportunity that the athlete will be signing fee autographs at a local sporting goods store.  You can arrive four hours early and get the exact same experience as I described above; all the power to you.  But using the same logic, why buy a car or flat-screen television or iPhone when there is a chance it will eventually go on sale?  Do people not buy things because it makes them feel good?

 

Canadians and Americans are fascinated with celebrities.  I can guarantee that whenever you meet or see one, you tell everyone you know.  So why do some consider it such a bad thing for people to pay for something that brings them enjoyment? 

I read a quote in a chatroom where someone was comparing autograph dealers to the lowest forms of life.  Why?  If you do not want to meet Marty Brodeur or Joe Thornton or Guy Lafleur, that is your prerogative.  No one is forcing you to spend your hard-earned money on something in which you have no interest.  But when we have 1,000+ people show up for some autograph appearances and lineups that last for over five hours, does that really make us bad people?  Is giving people what they want not the definition of capitalism?

 

 

 

I don’t understand how a player can possibly charge for his autograph.  Am I not the one paying his salary?

In most cases, the player is not charging for his autograph; the promoter is.  I am buying two hours of Doug Gilmour’s time and then re-selling it to the public in the form of an autograph.  Is that bad?

 

If you want a player to appear in your commercial, you have to pay him for his time.  If you want him to speak at your function, he needs to be compensated.  Time is money and it is naive to assume that everything these people do should be free.  Professional hockey players make countless hospital visits and community appearances without being compensated.  They also donate far more to charitable causes than most of us ever will.  But what kind of life would they have if they were expected to do everything asked of them without being offered any kind of remuneration?

 

Sure you help pay their salary.  But you also pay the salaries of school teachers, bus drivers, and politicians.  Does that give you the right to show up at their houses and expect them to do your laundry?

 

Most collectors realize how lucky it is that there is a formal industry in place to make athletes accessible to their fans.  It is much tougher to get near actors and musicians, since there are rarely formal autograph sessions in those realms.  I should know.  I tried for years to meet Shania Twain (the future Mrs. Borenstein).  I have a bunch of friends in the music industry, but they could not get me near her.  She was just too big; one of the most popular people in the world at the time.  The closest I came was an offer to sit in on a MuchMusic “Intimate and Interactive” session in downtown Toronto.  But I had already been to her concerts and did not want to see her sing or hear her talk.  I wanted a picture of the two of us, a personalized photo, and a memory.

I eventually ended up with the high bid in a charity auction and enjoyed a quick “Meet and Greet” with her in Detroit in 2003, but the experience cost me a five-figure donation to Shania’s charity.  It was worth every penny, but if there were “Frozen Pond’s” in the music business, I could have saved myself an awful lot of money.

How many hundreds of thousands of tween Jonas Brothers or Justin Bieber fans would right now pay anything for the opportunity to meet their pop idols?  If such a service was available, would it not be beneficial for both parties?    

 

I went to a Hollywood Autograph show over the summer and met the cast of Happy Days and got them to sign my picture.  I was even able to spend a few minutes talking to Ralph and Potsie.  At the same show, I was able to speak with and get my picture taken with Davy Jones.  I love the Monkees – who wouldn’t want to meet the guy that sings Daydream Believer?  A few years ago, I went to a similar show in Burbank and met Don Knotts.  Now that Mr. Furley is no longer with us, this memory is more special than most. 

Do I chastise the promoters for putting on such a show?  Do I berate the celebrities for having a fee attached to their signature?  Of course not – I value the fact that I was able to meet the people that brought me a great deal of entertainment over the years.  My office is lined with photos of these celebs and I truly treasure my encounters with them.

 

We have a great hobby, one that pays my salary and keeps me entertained year in and year out.  I just wish the naysayers would tone it down a little.  Our industry provides a ton of enjoyment and keeps famous people clothed in Armani suits long after their playing days are over.  Is that all bad?

 

I apologize for the delay since the last “Hersh Blog” and I appreciate all the calls and emails asking for an update.  I hope to get back on a regular schedule of 1-2 blogs a week.  I have definitely gathered enough material over the past few months, now I just have to find the time to write the darn things.

 

Some follow-up on a couple of recent industry happenings…

 

Mastro Auctions has ceased operations.

 

Imagine Christie’s (or Sotheby’s) auction house shutting down one day and announcing it was going to reopen under a different name.  What about all the goodwill behind the name and all the past business associated with their brand?  Has this all now become worthless?

This is what it seems has happened to Mastro Auctions.  Three of its principles have taken possession of Mastro’s assets and will be reopening under the pedestrian name of Legendary Auctions.

 

While the press release spun this changeover as an evolvement for the betterment of the company, that mistruth is far from reality.  The fact is that the sports memorabilia industry’s largest auction house is still at the center of an FBI investigation into shill bidding, card doctoring, and other allegations of fraud that have damaged the company’s image, obviously beyond repair.  While the company was recently quoted as saying they will continue to generate $50 million in annual sales, industry sources have reported the company had crippling credit line and cash flow problems.  Consignors have complained they have not been paid for items sold at auction several months ago, and one can only guess how many lawsuits the company is facing from deceived past bidders.

 

Imagine placing a $10,000 ceiling bid on an item and winning it for $9,500, only to later find out that next legitimate high bid was $1,500 and it was company employees themselves that bid it up in order to generate higher profits.  It would be extremely difficult to prove such an allegation, but this is obviously what the FBI is investigating.  How can a company that charges a 20% buyer’s premium on $10 million auctions, and sells their own items at considerable mark-up, be having such serious cash flow problems?

 

I have written this before but it bears repeating.  Do not think this is an isolated case of an auction house bidding up its own items.  I have spoken to several past and current employees of the larger auction houses in the industry, and apparently this kind of activity is prevalent.  Always keep in mind when bidding in such an auction that you may, in fact, be bidding against yourself.  The exception to the rule is auction platforms such as eBay or NHL.com, where the sellers have no access to the proprietary software and do not know what is going on behind the scenes (they do not know how much a customer has bid over and above the current amount).  Whenever a company uses their own auction software, they have full knowledge of all bids placed and have the ability to manipulate the end results.

 

Pocklington Arrested

I chuckled when I heard that former Edmonton Oilers owner, Peter Pocklington, was arrested last Wednesday on allegations he concealed assets during bankruptcy proceedings.  He is accused of making false statements in bankruptcy and making false oaths and accounts in bankruptcy. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison.

Pocklington filed for personal bankruptcy last year. He is accused of failing to disclose to a bankruptcy court two bank accounts as well as the contents of two storage units. He claimed to have debts of nearly $20 million and assets of only about $2,900. To partially satisfy a court judgment, Pocklington gave a creditor a piece of art, a rug and desk that were collectively worth about $80,000 and located in one of his storage units, court documents said. 

I have not seen this reported, so I thought I would share the information.  Brad Sullivan, who played Mo Wanchuk in the movie “Slap Shot”, passed away on New Year’s eve at the age of 77.

What made Sullivan’s portrayal of the foul-mouthed Wanchuk all the more ironic is the fact that he was an unwavering Christian and hated the character he was playing.  Hopefully he is relaxing at a Palm Isle on a nearby cloud.

It was just pointed out to me that Colorado goaltender, Peter Budaj, has a drawing of Ned Flanders on the back of his mask.  Budaj is apparently a devout Christian and the team trainer gave him the nickname “Flanders”.  If you look closely, you can see that Flanders is waving the Slovakian flag.

 

International Medical Corps recently held a charity auction where a celebrity would record your outgoing voicemail message on your behalf.  The message would be recorded within six months and could be up to one-minute long.  You would not get to speak to the celebrity directly, but you could make suggestions as to what they could say.

 

Here are some of the prices realized:

 

Chris Rock - $1,005

Borat - $777

Brooke Shields - $551

Elizabeth Banks - $542

Jennifer Garner - $453

Deion Sanders - $132

Marshall Faulk - $53

The reason I was paying attention to this auction is because another celebrity being auctioned was Hank Azaria, the voice of Chief Wiggum, Apu, and dozens of other Simpson’s characters.  I was, of course, the underbidder for the lot which closed at $259.  How cool would it have been to have Moe or Comic Book Guy recording my voicemail?  “Worst Answering Machine Ever”.  Or Dr. Nick Riviera – “Hiiiii Every-body.  You’ve reached Hersh.”

 

Letters to the Editor.  When I get a chance, I am going to try and answer a question or two that we have received from an interested collector.

                       ——————————————————————-

Do players appreciate the hobby and enjoy signing autographs or do many consider it somewhat of a chore?

 

This is a bit of a loaded question.  Some players truly appreciate their fans and go out of their way to meet them and sign autographs.  Fan popularity can only lead to good things down the road, such as endorsement deals and contract offers, hence it is in the players’ best interests to meet as many admirers as possible and make sure they go away with a positive experience.

 

Other players only do autograph sessions because they are contractually obligated to do so, or their agents are advising it.  We have had players signing that make it very obvious they do not want to be there.  Luckily these occurrences are the exception rather than the norm.

 

What both examples have in common is money.  It is never considered a chore when they are being paid.  While many players do free appearances for charity, it is doubtful they would be doing any hobby signings were it not for the almighty greenback.  Time is money, and if they are going to be on the clock, someone will have to pay for it.

 

 

Do you think that lasting fame changes a player’s attitude? 

Yes – definitely.  The first player that told me fame would not change him has probably changed more than any player I know (he will remain nameless).  When a player is a rookie, he appreciates the limelight and the attention being thrust upon him.  He is fan friendly, eager to please, and knows his time in the spotlight may be short-lived.

 

Success and money change people though.  Soon these players have precious little free time and have enough money to be able to do whatever they want.  They no longer have the desire to please everyone, nor to do the little things that used to be such a big part of their existence.  So the niceties and pleasantness that existed earlier in their careers are now a thing of the past.

 

Not all players are like this.  There are some that are still amazing with their fans and receive a lot of press for it.  Mike Modano, Jeremy Roenick, Joe Thornton, Vinnie Lecavalier, and Martin Brodeur are some of the nicest guys you will ever meet.  This does not mean they will stand and sign autographs for hours each day, but they definitely have not forgotten where they came from.