posted 03-26-2014 06:25 AM            

Daniel wasn't expecting a dedication for free, he is not that naive. He expected to pay a fee and people behind him would, I'm sure have understood that the book had already been signed, and paid for previously. Daniel didn't argue or cause a fuss, he accepted the decision and gracefully declined. I have dealt with him before and he is a very polite young man.

I doubt if Buzz would have had a request like this all weekend to compare with so I don't think it would have hurt to charge maybe £30-50.

I agree entirely with gliderpilotuk statement. Buzz was there purely for transactional reasons and not because he loves his public, however it is wonderful to meet such an important historical figure and we are all lucky in that respect. But £185 for 2 words which cheapen the item, come on!

posted 03-26-2014 12:22 PM               

Dave Phillips and the team put on a fantastic show this year and myself and girlfriend Demi were very impressed.

The highlight of the weekend guest-wise for us was Greg Johnson. We spent a lot of time with him both at and after the Friday drinks reception and he is a fantastic guy. So easy to speak with on a whole range of topics and it was great to have the chance to go for a few drinks with a two-time shuttle pilot. His lecture on Saturday morning didn't disappoint - the combination of video, Greg explaining things and the Q&A made it an excellent talk and probably the best I have attended at Autographica. I wish him well in his very important work with CASIS.

Alan Bean was also a fantastic guest. We had the privilege of sitting with Alan and Greg Johnson on the Sunday evening in the bar as they compared flying stories for well over an hour. That was probably the highlight of my weekend. Alan's lecture on Saturday was also excellent and he deservedly received a standing ovation at the end.

Bruce McCandless was also a great guest and one I'd love to see back. I had heard his lecture on the Saturday was quite technical, and while on Sunday it was quite similar he did make it very interesting. Was intriguing to hear him talking about his 1st flight of the MMU - what an incredible experience that must have been. I wasn't aware of his quote when he first used the MMU - 'That may have been one small step for Neil, but it's a heck of a big leap for me.' I had thought Pete Conrad had been the only one to say that on becoming the 3rd man to walk on the Moon, but turns out McCandless said it in space also.

I once again decided to pass on Aldrin's autograph due to the fee but I was glad to have the option and many people went for it - good for them, they know they got the real deal! I managed to snap up a framed photo of the visor shot with a cut Aldrin signature for just £65 from one of the dealers which I thought was pretty good. Buzz looked very wide-eyed and distant this weekend but let's put it down to jet-lag. I'm just glad I got to shake his hand again and say thank you to his helpers Christina and Rob for organizing our interview in October 2012.

We sadly never got the chance to meet Hoot or Rhea properly and so would love to see them both return as guests in the future.

It was fantastic to meet up with some cS friends again (and to meet some for the first time). Autographica is as much about meeting up with you guys as meeting the astronauts in my opinion. You all know who you are and here's to supporting many more Autographica events in the future.

posted 03-26-2014 01:08 PM               

Greg Johnson - the highlight of our weekend:

The shuttle trio; Hoot, Rhea and Box:

Howard and David - two very funny guys. I'm more of a practical jokes kinda guy!:

posted 03-26-2014 01:08 PM               

Me with Gil Bertelson (SR-71 Blackbird pilot):

My girlfriend and I with Buz Carpenter (SR-71 Blackbird pilot):

Me with Bruce McCandless:

posted 03-26-2014 01:44 PM               

BUT even with all of that going on, I had a fantastic time. Greg Johnson had to put up with 20 minutes of my questions during the gala (poor guy!) and Alan Bean inscribed my autograph with a reference to an email I sent him some weeks before - he remembered! What a guy.

posted 03-26-2014 05:18 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by JasonB:
I must say that reading the ridiculous argument about Buzz... The Aldrin hating or "he should've done this" on here gets real old.

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posted 03-26-2014 10:27 PM               

Cernan remembered me from earlier buying three signatures from him and said no charge. His assistant said to buy a raffle ticket (I did). I was prepared to pay his fee so I was really caught off guard by their kindness and told Cernan I'll come back to ASF every year he's there.

Al Worden also told me no charge despite me not having bought an autograph. I also got a photo with him and he couldn't have been nicer.

Edgar Mitchell and his assistant were confused on what to charge (it is a weird request) til his assistant said "how bout $150?" which was fine.

posted 03-27-2014 05:42 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Brian Bayley:
If it was the assistant's decision or Buzz's I think it was rather greedy.

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As has been mentioned, if Buzz had done that for Daniel then he would have been expected to do it for everyone thereafter.

This is very clear and, although perhaps not in the best spirit, is understandable.

posted 03-27-2014 06:38 PM               

Now, if you present him with something he already signed and want an inscription (usually a mission or date and not someone's name), you're charged the same fee that the autograph alone would cost on that item. For example, if you have a signed photo that you bring to him and want "Apollo 11", "To Bill", etc., the fee is £350 ($550 US).

posted 03-28-2014 03:13 AM               

Daniel wanted a book that had been signed by Buzz at a book signing (where Buzz had signed for free if you bought the book) to be personalised. Because the book had been signed for free, the charge was £185.

I had a book that was previously signed and personalised to me (the last time Buzz was at Autographica, I paid the full price, around £250ish?) and I asked how much I would be charged for a few extra words. The reply? £15 per word.

The reasoning behind this was that it was clear that I had paid the full price previously (apart from the obvious personalisation, I suspect that there are other ways they can tell, such as where the signature is on the page, for example).

This all seems quite clear so, hopefully, this should be the end of the debate regarding whether it was 'right' or 'wrong'. Next scene...

posted 03-28-2014 05:15 AM            

Or how about Bill Anders?

Buzz provides his for a fee and a lot of us aren't entirely happy. Buzz just rubs people up the wrong way and going by the accounts of his former colleagues, he's being doing it for a long time. It's a shame, and age is no excuse but that's how he is, and it's not going to change. And hey, you can say you've met the real Buzz not some two faced smile for the crowds version.

Better to focus on those items you've got from him that others wouldn't provide.

posted 03-28-2014 10:48 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Tykeanaut:
We all have good and bad days. But if you turn up to make money you should be gracious with your customers whoever you are.

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posted 03-28-2014 10:50 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by rgarner:
It is as simple as that.

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posted 03-28-2014 12:02 PM            

Nobody complained at the time.

Nobody expected anything for free.

It's only become a problem HERE where certain people seem to want the last word.

I apologize for bringing this MINOR incident up which I did purely out of interest and not to create mischief.

Buzz can charge what he likes, people don't have to pay and we can all have an opinion. It is always an honour to meet or even to sneak a glance at him going about his business.

posted 03-28-2014 12:16 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by JasonB:
I'd also like to point out that no one is there to "perform".

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NASA astronauts attending public functions "in the barrel" very much have their "meet-and-greet" game-faces on.

It's arguable that, as private citizens, Apollo astronauts no longer carry that burden. Where people may get confused is when they see Alan Bean in a NASA flight jacket deliver two excellent motivational style lectures, or listen to the great double act that is Hoot Gibson and Rhea Seddon. Nobody who heard their lectures over the weekend would argue that they were doing anything other than performing.

posted 03-28-2014 12:53 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Brian Bayley:
Shall we call it a day on this now, overdone topic and reflect on what was a great event with some extraordinary guests?

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This, I think they say, is the final word.

posted 03-28-2014 03:38 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
His wife of 53 years passed away in January.

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posted 03-31-2014 03:22 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Mark England:
My wife was with me and she is a massive fan of him.

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