TTM TUTORIAL
INTRO
I get asked all the time about the procedure I used for my Through-The-Mail or TTM (for short) autograph requests and how exactly do to go about it to ensure a better success rate. I have previously posted a short tutorial on how I did it on one of the card forums I belong to and everybody seemed to really like it...so I decided to put together a step by step detailed tutorial here on my site for people to use as a reference.
PLAYER LETTERS
When requesting autographs it is important to be very respectful of the player or person you are requesting them from. Remember, they are doing you a favor by signing your item(s). It actually takes time out of their day or from their family to open your mail, sign your item, repackage your item, buy & add postage (if out of the country and International Reply Coupon or money is sent), then mail it out.
Selection of the person to get signed varies from person to person and their particular interests. I personally generally only go after Pittsburgh Penguins players and Alumni. However, there are a few outside that realm I tend to try to add to my collection just because I like them as a person or a player.
The first thing to do is to write a short, nice and honest letter to the person. I like to add things like congratulating them on a recent career milestone, new born child, being traded to the Penguins or whatever. Let them know that you know about tem a little bit and aren't just a freeloader thats looking to get their autograph just to turnaround and sell it to turn a profit. In the letter be specific on what you would like them to do, sign a picture, puck, or card that is enclosed. For better results, ask for it to be personalized. This shows them your not trying to just EBay the items.
ADDRESSES
Addresses can be found on many various websites and sellers. I personally get most of my autos by using the specific teams address where the player plays. Retired players/coaches often need more research to get items signed. Often they tend to sign through particular teams and or work for minor league or teams in other countries.
I get asked all the time about the procedure I used for my Through-The-Mail or TTM (for short) autograph requests and how exactly do to go about it to ensure a better success rate. I have previously posted a short tutorial on how I did it on one of the card forums I belong to and everybody seemed to really like it...so I decided to put together a step by step detailed tutorial here on my site for people to use as a reference.
PLAYER LETTERS
When requesting autographs it is important to be very respectful of the player or person you are requesting them from. Remember, they are doing you a favor by signing your item(s). It actually takes time out of their day or from their family to open your mail, sign your item, repackage your item, buy & add postage (if out of the country and International Reply Coupon or money is sent), then mail it out.
Selection of the person to get signed varies from person to person and their particular interests. I personally generally only go after Pittsburgh Penguins players and Alumni. However, there are a few outside that realm I tend to try to add to my collection just because I like them as a person or a player.
The first thing to do is to write a short, nice and honest letter to the person. I like to add things like congratulating them on a recent career milestone, new born child, being traded to the Penguins or whatever. Let them know that you know about tem a little bit and aren't just a freeloader thats looking to get their autograph just to turnaround and sell it to turn a profit. In the letter be specific on what you would like them to do, sign a picture, puck, or card that is enclosed. For better results, ask for it to be personalized. This shows them your not trying to just EBay the items.
ADDRESSES
Addresses can be found on many various websites and sellers. I personally get most of my autos by using the specific teams address where the player plays. Retired players/coaches often need more research to get items signed. Often they tend to sign through particular teams and or work for minor league or teams in other countries.
PROTECTIVE CASE & LABELING
Whatever item you would like to have signed, have it protected for its travel back and forth through the mail system by using rigid top loaders (for cards, Pictures, magazines,etc.), or for items such as pucks I just use a simple zip-lock baggie (because puck holders weigh much more and can be cumbersome to open for the player). Which ever you decide to send and use, LABEL THE PROTECTIVE CASE WITH YOUR RETURN ADDRESS INFO!! Because the player may have many things lying out and it could get mixed in with someone elses stuff.
Protective Top Loader labeled
POSTAGE (TO & FRO)
Make sure you provide the proper return envelopes that have the correct included postage applied. Or as I noted above, if your sending out of your country, include money for postage or better yet International Reply Coupons, which can be exchanged for postage at ANY Post Office Worldwide. I find it useful to have contacts in other countries as well and either trade or buy postage from them to further ensure a better success rate of getting my item(s) returned and not having to trouble the signer anymore than I have to by having them have to obtain the postage.
United States & Canadian Postage
International Reply Coupon
CUSTOMS FORMS
It is also important to have a customs form when sending out of the country filled out and affixed to the package being sent. If possible, try and obtain a customs for from the ocuntry you are having the signer return it from and include it in the package. I WOULD NOT AFFIX THIS TO THE RETURN PACKAGE!!! Some players or signers may tend to return your package from another location and this form may not be applicable there. Just include it and allow them to affix it if its needed, just make sure its filled out for them though.
It is also important to have a customs form when sending out of the country filled out and affixed to the package being sent. If possible, try and obtain a customs for from the ocuntry you are having the signer return it from and include it in the package. I WOULD NOT AFFIX THIS TO THE RETURN PACKAGE!!! Some players or signers may tend to return your package from another location and this form may not be applicable there. Just include it and allow them to affix it if its needed, just make sure its filled out for them though.
US Customs for for packages 4 pounds or less
Select the proper envelopes for mailing as well as return your items. You may even opt to send several return envelopes (all with return postage) in order to prevent damage to items. I often send a rigid photo envelop for pictures and a smaller bubble envelope for returning pucks or cards. Its entirely up to you, but I would definately recommend seperate envelopes just in case the player doesnt put the pictures or cards back in their protective holders.
Make sure all envelopes are labeled with the proper return addresses and postage.
POSTAGE IN THE SAME COUNTRY:
Take your item in the envelope it is being returned in to the Post Office and have it weighed by the clerk and buy the appropriate stamps for it (NOT METERED STICKER POSTAGE OR AUTOMATED MACHINE). When returning items from a different zip code, the machines and metered postage sometimes tend to get the rates wrong, and could ultimately turn in to you not getting your item back.
POSTAGE FROM A DIFFERENT COUNTRY:
You may be able to figure out the postage rates from that particular countries postal website or from information from a contact in that particular country. If not, this is where the International reply coupons or cash placed in with your item(s) would come in handy, or cash included in a security envelope.
Some players or signers will only sign for a fee or a donation to their charity. If this is the case, you may want to include a check to cover that.
I gernerally use a large padded envelope or box to send the items to the player or person to have sign my items.
Make sure all envelopes are labeled with the proper return addresses and postage.
POSTAGE IN THE SAME COUNTRY:
Take your item in the envelope it is being returned in to the Post Office and have it weighed by the clerk and buy the appropriate stamps for it (NOT METERED STICKER POSTAGE OR AUTOMATED MACHINE). When returning items from a different zip code, the machines and metered postage sometimes tend to get the rates wrong, and could ultimately turn in to you not getting your item back.
POSTAGE FROM A DIFFERENT COUNTRY:
You may be able to figure out the postage rates from that particular countries postal website or from information from a contact in that particular country. If not, this is where the International reply coupons or cash placed in with your item(s) would come in handy, or cash included in a security envelope.
Some players or signers will only sign for a fee or a donation to their charity. If this is the case, you may want to include a check to cover that.
I gernerally use a large padded envelope or box to send the items to the player or person to have sign my items.
Large Envelope (Padded)
Rigid Picture Envelope (white)
Rigid Picture Envelope (white)
ITEM PROTECTION & SIGNING PEN
Inside the large envelope I place my rigid photo envelope, top Loader w/ Card or Picture, zip-lock w/ puck, letter and any particular pen I would like them to sign the item with. Including the specific pen/marker you would like them to sign with is key. I have seen many other collectors have their expensive items returned signed in nothing more than a ball-point pen or dried out marker. It ultimately ruins the item. I spend the couple extra dollars to ensure that doesnt happen and include the specific marker I want used. To date I have never had an item signed with anything other than what I have sent them to sign with.
I personally prefer Blue Sharpies for pictures/Jerseys (depending on the background) and for pucks I like the gold or silver sharpies. The gold ones seem to look alot nicer most of the time than the silver ones.
MAILING LOG
I like to keep a log of when I sent out the item and when I received it back along with the total turnaround time. This gives me an idea for future items I may want to have signed, and whether or not the player signed for me before and if so, about how long it took to have it signed and get it back.
GOOD LUCK & HAVE FUN!
I like to keep a log of when I sent out the item and when I received it back along with the total turnaround time. This gives me an idea for future items I may want to have signed, and whether or not the player signed for me before and if so, about how long it took to have it signed and get it back.
GOOD LUCK & HAVE FUN!