Vendors Bringing in Outside Talent

[HardcoreHeroes]

I'd hoped to post a recap of the weekend at once, but there are so many issues I want to address and get your feedback on, I have decided to post them individually.

The first one concerns vendors bringing in outside talent to sit at their booths. I think I have decided to eliminate this at future fanfest weekends.

I've heard several complaints from folks that didn't understand the difference between our "featured guests" and folks that were brought in by vendors. I've also had enough stories about so and so charging $10 to sign their book, and that's even when the fan had their own book!

I've also heard some stories about two of our featured guests that refused to sign an autograph or take a picture with a fan. One talent supposedly said they were "restricted" from doing so.

Well, let me say that I expect EVERY talent that I bring to fanfest to sign and pose for pictures willingly at any point within reason. I will not accept anything less. There are no "restrictions" that would keep anyone from posing for a photo or signing an autograph.

If anyone has any of these stories, first-hand though as I don't want to hear gossip or second-hand stuff, I'd like to hear them.

Thanks,

Greg

[bluedevil71]

I didn't hear any stories, but then again, I was off in my own little world this weekend.

As for vendors bringing in guests, I had no problem with it. I thought it was understandable that if they were there for another person, that there would be a charge. I know that CCW/Tony Hunter seemed to draw a pretty good crowd for Ivory and Molly Holly.

Dusty Rhodes, Missy Hyatt, Tammy Sytch, David Flair, it added something else to the Fanfest, I thought. But, that said, I didn't go up and pay for autographs or anything from these people either. I just visited the booths for conversation and maybe an occassional purchase here and there.

As for the talent you bring in, your request seems fair to me. Shoot, you're the one bringing them in.

[pinkandblack]

He was really nice about it, but Dory Funk Jr. wouldn't let me get a picture or autograph. He said that the "promoter told him he couldn't." I was kinda disappointed... I thought getting pics & autographs was what FanFest is all about.

[bobbyryates]

i had no problem with the vendor guests. i spoke to each of them (except dusty and missy) at some point. all were very nice or even estatic to talk with me momentarily.
the one problem i did have was with Gestopo Funk. i saw dory sometime friday at nulty's table. i got my camera ready for a quick candid shot, and the Nazi wife jumps in front of me with her hand and tells me, "not now, you can get pictures later". i also heard this second hand as well as saw it happen to someone else. and heard others complain about it, too all telling me the same experience i recieved.
other than that, no problems at all.

[bluedevil71]

I heard about that, but didn't experience it first-hand myself. There was one time, I forget when, early Sunday morning I believe, that I saw Dory, by himself, coming off the elevator in the lobby. If I had a camera on me, I would've snapped that then.

But I've heard rumors that there's more to this story than what meets the eye. Greg I'm sure will let us know in due time.

[stingmark]

Greg, there were only two things that really disappointed me about fanfest.

1) Dusty Rhodes jackassedry and greedyness to "not sign autographs or take pics unless we pay him $25 bucks". Not only is this bad for the event, but it pisses off fans and you probably just lost out on making even more money from book sales. Nice job Dusty!!! Piss off the very same people who you're trying to get to buy your book? I can see marketing wasn't a strong suit in school for you?

Sidenote to Dusty: Fanfest wasn't all about YOU!!!! Stop acting like an ass and be nice. You don't always have to make a buck off people. I've now lost what little respect I had for you before. Thanks for being a greedy bastard.


2) Mark Nulty being a huge jackass to myself and Graham Cawthon. Mark, I've never had a problem with you until last Sunday. Infact, I've stuck up for you MANY times in the past. I've tried to bite my tongue and holdoff speaking on this for a while, But your actions on Sunday towards Graham and myself were uncalled for. What I'm speaking about is: the Bret Hart Q&A. Mark told all in attendance that to ask a question, we were to come to the sides of the hall and then we could ask a question. Seems simple enough? Well, myself and Graham did just that. What does Mark do? instead of being "NICE" and saying "just a minute guys", he says "sit down right now" in a very RUDE/Unprofessional manner. Yes, you did say it in a shitty manner/tone Mark. Graham and I aren't the only one's who heard you say this either, we have witnesses.

I understand you have a hard job and you catch crap from ALOT of folks, but you could've been a little nicer to fans who paid good money to get in. I'm disappointed with you Mark.

[bluedevil71]

Stingmark, remember something on Dusty. Greg didn't bring him in, a vendor did. And it specifically said that vendors 'would, could' charge for autographs, pictures, etc. So they were in their right to do that. Now, does that make it right? No. But they had that right.

As for Dusty's attitude, I won't deny that. We've heard that story before. But I also know that Dusty doesn't like to give away his autograph because he's afraid that people will turn around and sell it on eBay, which I can understand his concern there.

As for Nulty, I didn't notice that, but I'm sorry that it happened. One thing I've always wondered, especially this past weekend, is why Nulty is so big of a deal anyway. He's not, for crying out loud.

[bobbyryates]

oh yeah..nulty. i heard it as i was waiting to ask my question. stinger and cawthon went up to ask a question, as directed. nulty told them (verbally and with his hand motion) to sit down in a nasty way, like he owned them.
very unneccessary.

[bluedevil71]

Nulty needs to take a chill pill.

[stingmark]

bluedevil71 said:

Stingmark, remember something on Dusty. Greg didn't bring him in, a vendor did. And it specifically said that vendors 'would, could' charge for autographs, pictures, etc. So they were in their right to do that. Now, does that make it right? No. But they had that right.

As for Dusty's attitude, I won't deny that. We've heard that story before. But I also know that Dusty doesn't like to give away his autograph because he's afraid that people will turn around and sell it on eBay, which I can understand his concern there.

As for Nulty, I didn't notice that, but I'm sorry that it happened. One thing I've always wondered, especially this past weekend, is why Nulty is so big of a deal anyway. He's not, for crying out loud.

Michael, thanks for the comments. I'm in now way mad at Greg for this. IMO, Greg's a great guy and did a great thing w/these fanfests.

Dusty, regardless of whether he was "brought in by other vendors", doesn't mean squat to me. There's a professional way of doing things, and he doesn't know what it is. I understand him thinking it will end up on Ebay, but still. If thay were the case, NO ONE would sign anything for anyone. That's a huge copout to me. I klnow greg posted it that they can charge whatever they want for their sigs/pics, but still. Fans who might have been big Dusty fans or who were inclined to buy his book? probably didn't do so because of his Jackassedry. Like i said, I've now lost what little respect i had for him before.


My guess is...you stop inviting him to come to the events(taking $ out of his pocket) his attitude will suddenly change?

One more thing that bugged me(and many others) Howard Brody's attitude throughout the whole event. No wonder why no one was buying anything from you Howard. I don't know you well enough to know if this is how you are in real life? but you came across as if you really didn't want to be there and you weren't very personable to anyone. Someone i sat next to during the wrestling matches on Sat. commented that they asked you a few questions about the tapes you were selling, and you didn't bother answering them and walked away to talk to Dusty. Not a good business move. I can see why you're no longer w/WCW.

[ssteward]

As far as looking like they didn't want to be there, Greg Valentine & Tammy Sytch come to mind. The sad thing is, I saw "Got Game" on tv after Sunday's festivities and they made it look like Dusty was a big part of it all. The irony of the "common man" being such an ass to the fans, time and time again, is incredible.

[WarToad]

Well, I didn't have a prob with outside talent. Like someone mentioned it added something to the fest. Plus, I wanted to meet 2 guys that weren't part of the regular list (Magnum and Dusty). Being from up North, I don't get a chance to meet those 2 very often. Magnum was cool and seemed to be in a good mood. On the other hand, Dusty snubbed most of his fans (I did see him shake hands with a few very young fans), but he seemed like he didn't even want to be there. I didn't have a prob with him charging,,but $25 to sign a belt? PER belt!..then another $5 per autograph AND $5 per photo on top of that! You'd think if someone just dropped $25 for his sig, he wouldn't let them take a photo without charging another $5....unreal. In closing, I'd like to see vendors bringing in guys that weren't part of the featured guests. Remember, there are fans, such as myself, that haven't been to the previous fests, so someone might be tired of seeing a guest (that has been to more than one fest) but I'm happy to meet that wrestler if he's part of the featured guests or at a vendor table.

p.s. stingmark we never did get to go to that "bar"

[WarToad]

ssteward said:

As far as looking like they didn't want to be there, Greg Valentine & Tammy Sytch come to mind.

I liked Valentine holding the cell phone to his ear for like an hour, was he even talking to anyone? I guess you could say Tammy's been through a lot, but I have a feeling her constant "bathroom" breaks had a lot with her looking aloof.

[stingmark]

wartoad said:

p.s. stingmark we never did get to go to that "bar"

Yeah, I know. Sorry man. Was down for going, but no one else wanted to go it seemed? Nothing wrong with seeing half naked women. ;D

[stompingground]

Let me speak up for Dusty. He's always been gracious and decent with me and last weekend at FanFest was no different. He talked and laughed with me. Like most of you guys I was a critic of Rhodes back in the day, but in these last couple of years I've become a big fan of Rhodes due mostly in part to the way he has treated me at the Fanfests and his appearances in CCW.