Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012

Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013

posted 04-26-2014 04:46 PM               

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Mr. Aldrin signed a copy of "Mission to Mars" for me today at the Go Boldly Expo in St. Paul. While it was still a thrill to see a member of Apollo 11 in person and have him sign something, I can't get past the feeling that Buzz simply didn't give a rip about the people who had come to see him at this event.

Please don't get me wrong. I do realize that the book signing line was very long, and I certainly didn't expect a photo with him or to carry on a conversation, but he repeatly ignored the people in line who were thanking him for signing their book, for his service to his country, etc. Not a smile, nod of the head, or anything to acknowledge their sincere thanks.

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 04-26-2014 07:18 PM               

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I'm sorry to hear your experience with Buzz today wasn't ideal.

I doubt he meant any disrespect. He's participated in a lot of these types of events over the years and sometimes he's personable with everyone who approaches, and other times he's focused on signing only.

Buzz is today as dedicated to advancing humanity into space as he has ever been (perhaps even more so). His passion for the topic comes through clearly, even over the phone. I suspect that for a long time now, he's considered signing as a means to that end, and would enjoy it more if people took more interest in what is written in the book than what he writes on it.

But that said, I think he genuinely understands the reasons why crowds turn out for his appearances and is appreciative for it, even if he may not always exhibit it.

On edit: By the way, you mention "not a smile," but see this tweet.

Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013

posted 04-26-2014 08:48 PM               

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I'm happy to see that smile. I was near the front of the line for the book signing, and I can honestly say that he wasn't even making eye contact with people at that time. I will agree with you, though, on his passion for space exploration. He gave a couple presentations during the day and was very enthusiastic and passionate while giving them.

I also can completely understand that signing hundreds of items at events like this over the course of 50 or so years would get very old and tedious. I'm glad he still does these events. I will be reading his book, although I have a few to get through before I start in on it.

Posts: 248
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Apr 2013

posted 04-26-2014 11:08 PM               

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Jason, glad to see ya got out there. I was out there the whole day and thoroughly enjoyed the presentations. And yes Robert, Mr. Aldrin's passion is unrelenting and a thrill too see.

I too did get a book signed and had the same experience as Spacey. I was in the middle of thanking him for his contributions and he turned away mid-sentence. I was disappointed, but understanding at the same time. Hearing him speak was the thrill that I went for anyway.

Posts: 1096
From: Lincolnshire IL USA
Registered: Aug 2000

Posts: 1014
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012

posted 04-29-2014 08:28 PM            

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Yikes, glad I'm done collecting Buzz stuff.

Now I know that Buzz can charge whatever he likes but usually a seller has to be able to justify differences to the customer to persuade them to buy. I can't see how signing a "large item" like a 16x20 print possibly justifies a higher fee. If anything it would be easier to sign. And beta cloth seems to appear twice on that list at different prices.

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

Posts: 248
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Apr 2013

posted 04-29-2014 10:46 PM               

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I highly respect what Mr. Aldrin has done for mankind and continues to do. He truly is a beacon for space exploration. I guess i just have a bad taste with the outrageous prices.

How can there be justification for signing his books FREE at several signings, yet charging $300 at Spacefest?

Mr. Aldrin put on a great presentation in St. Paul, that is until he made a plug for a video game that bears his name. I was kinda like, "where did that come from?"

Posts: 1169
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010

Posts: 1091
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

Posts: 452
From: Apalachin, NY USA
Registered: May 2011

Posts: 344
From: Albuquerque, NM USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 04-30-2014 10:32 AM               

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While Aldrin's signing fee is unfortunately too steep for me (especially given he doesn't seem to interact much these days), the increases in his prices over the years has been consistent with other Apollo era astronauts.

Bean is three or four times higher than in 2006-2007 (2006 was $50 now $200), so are Cernan ($100 now $300) and Mitchell (was $40 or $50, now $150). Aldrin was $150 or $175 in 06 and 07, now he is $600, so he is about four times higher as well. Probably the best prices over that period are for Scott, who only went from $150 to $250.

I have been fortunate to have Buzz sign several books for free in person as well as several free signed photos (one through the mail in the 80s and several in person) over the years, and been lucky enough to have several good conversations with him.

The real difference for me is not the price, but the attention to whom he is signing for. Not everyone can be as friendly as Bean, but I can see people being disappointed if they pay those kinds of prices and they are not even acknowledged or Buzz is looking at his phone the whole time.

I've been lucky in and grateful for my encounters with him in the past, but unfortunately I stopped trying to have any the last few years.

Posts: 1014
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012

posted 04-30-2014 12:29 PM            

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quote:

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Originally posted by jtheoret:
Not everyone can be as friendly as Bean, but I can see people being disappointed if they pay those kinds of prices and they are not even acknowledged or Buzz is looking at his phone the whole time.

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Seen that and it's just plain rude. I wouldn't expect that behavior from someone charging me a few bucks at a checkout never mind what Buzz is being paid.

On the persuasion side Robert I meant persuading customers to hand over the extra $100 for a "large item" and not just going for the base fee.

Posts: 282
From: PA
Registered: Apr 2004

Posts: 1096
From: Lincolnshire IL USA
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 04-30-2014 05:03 PM               

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I would rather have him signing, even at these stiff fees, than not signing at all, like Bill Anders.

I was fortunate to get his signature on my "must" pieces a few years ago when his fee was $100. No one is forcing anyone to pay his price, but at least there is the opportunity if it is essential.

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 04-30-2014 07:50 PM               

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quote:

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Originally posted by David C:
I meant persuading customers to hand over the extra $100 for a "large item" and not just going for the base fee.

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Again, you're assuming there's a desire for anyone to do that. Just because a fee exists doesn't mean there's a desire for anyone to pay it.

I don't speak for Aldrin, but I get the impression that he signs autographs because he is being asked to sign autographs. If no one asked, he might just as soon not.

The thing is, people continue to ask, regardless the fees or the expectations for how he should react to such requests.

Posts: 156
From: Lockport, NY, 14094
Registered: Jun 2011

Posts: 72
From:
Registered: Feb 2014

posted 04-30-2014 10:30 PM            

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I'm not going to criticize Buzz for being aloof. He's lived a highly unusual life and it would probably be a good thing to hop a mile in his moon boots.

It is unfortunate that the price for his signature is roughly half my mortgage.

Posts: 59
From: Augusta, GA
Registered: Sep 2014

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-22-2018 09:27 PM               

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Buzz Aldrin Ventures now has listed for sale a number of autographed photos and canvases, as well as selection of signed memorabilia, including philatelic covers.

They are not, however, accepting personal items for signature.

Posts: 660
From: Northville MI USA
Registered: Aug 2005

Posts: 299
From: Columbus, Ohio USA
Registered: Jan 2003