Serving a purpose

When it comes to creating Hound Central 5.0 polls, I have to admit there have been times when the well has nearly run dry. There are only so many questions that can be asked without running the risk of duplication.

Enter Al, Hound Central 5.0's man in Toronto, for lending yet another helping hand. In an e-mail, he suggested that HC5.0 asks its faithful about paid, private signings, instances where fans send in an item, as well as a check or money order, to have a NHL player sign. Once done, the session's promoter returns the item.

For many people, these signing sessions are the only way to score an autograph from a favorite player or finish off a prized team item. For others, though, they're less than ideal. Not only do you have to pay for the autograph, you have to trust that the player actually does the signing.

For this specific poll, the results can be viewed two ways. Taking each of the three answers separately, it's readily apparent that the majority of HC5.0's faithful are a faithful lot, as more than 46 percent found paid private signings as useful. However, if you combine the remaining answers, more than 53 percent of those taking part feel that our faith, as well as our dollars, are best placed somewhere else.

As a hound with pretty good access to NHL players, I have little use for paid private signings. I get my autographs in person, spending money only on the items being signed and the gasoline required to drive back and forth to Tampa or Brandon. For others, though, I can certainly appreciate the usefulness of these sessions.

To me, Al's question is more of a case of beauty being in the eye of the beholder. There were no right or wrong answers. It's what works best for each person. And there's nothing wrong with that, is there?

Question: Paid private signings?

Useful: 21 votes out of 45 cast (46.7 percent)
Pay for an autograph?: 16 votes (35.5 percent)
Avoid them: 8 votes (17.8 percent)