Jerry Maren DON'T BOTHER JERK

[tommie]

Sent an SASE to Marren about two weeks ago. Received a note saying that he charges 10.00 per autograph. He was nothing but an extra in Hollywood his whole life. I understand that he is old but what a JERK. He should have been saving money like the rest of them should have done.
Like I said what a JERK.

[mwg123]

Same thing happened to me. I don't necessarily think it's crazy he charges, a lot of older actors supplement their income since most blew their money or never made much in the first place.

What I find bizarre is I sent a photo and SASE and he kept both and sent the letter in his own envelope demanding $10 and said I had to include a SASE and the item to be signed.

WTF?! If he's gonna charge then send me my pic back in my SASE with a note saying he charges.

[northvscart]

I don't care so much that he charges, given his age and recent poor health, but what makes me mad is I sent the 10 dollars with a SASE and picture about 2 months ago an haven't gotten my picture returned, yet he can send these rejections back within 2 weeks. I may have to rewrite and explain I'm waiting for my item and sent the fee.

[admin]

Hi tommie

Thank you for your feedback

At which address did you send your autograph request please?

Fanmail

[dancingirl1]

$10 isn't a lot to charge for ESP when he was in a classic movie. I would pay $10 for his sig.
(That doesn't mean he is a jerk though..) lol.

[flipbird]

if he was only a "Hollywood extra " why did you want his autograph? Maybe your lack of respect found its way into your letter..he kindly signed 2 photos for me recently for free...by the way the munckins were paid 100.00 dollars a week for the wizard of oz ( Toto made 125.00) not a lot left to "save " like you did

[AutographAddict7]

really? $10 is nothing. He is 94 years old! I'd pay more then that for his autograph. You come off pretty rude and like flipbird said, your letter might have reflected that as well. People who act like this when they don't get an autograph, they don't deserve that person's autograph in the first place.

[northvscart]

Yeah but it is sh**ty that I paid his fee and haven't heard back.

[MW1221]

I've met him in person at a signing at least 10 years ago, maybe more.

While I'm always the first one to jump on people like the OP who say those things...this time, I have to agree with the sentiment.

Maybe he was just having a bad day when I met him, but he really was kind of a jerk.

That said:

He was nothing but an extra in Hollywood his whole life.

Then why did you want his autograph?

He should have been saving money like the rest of them should have done.

...how much money do you think he made? Seriously. The DOG in Wizard of Oz made more than the Munchkins.
Source on that

And he hasn't worked in how long?

Please enlighten us--how do you expect him to live on savings from so little money from so long ago?

What I find bizarre is I sent a photo and SASE and he kept both and sent the letter in his own envelope demanding $10 and said I had to include a SASE and the item to be signed.

***?! If he's gonna charge then send me my pic back in my SASE with a note saying he charges.

Maybe it's a form letter and he kept your item and SASE so you wouldn't have to resend, as several celebrities who charge do, because it's cheaper for you in the long run?

I don't care so much that he charges, given his age and recent poor health, but what makes me mad is I sent the 10 dollars with a SASE and picture about 2 months ago an haven't gotten my picture returned, yet he can send these rejections back within 2 weeks. I may have to rewrite and explain I'm waiting for my item and sent the fee.

Maybe someone is helping him with his mail?

If someone else goes through and mails out the letters saying "Please send a fee", he doesn't need to be available for that. He could be wherever else, doing whatever else.

So saying "I've been waiting 2 months, but rejections come within 2 weeks" is comparing apples and oranges, unless you want his friend/assistant to sign your picture instead.

if he was only a "Hollywood extra " why did you want his autograph? Maybe your lack of respect found its way into your letter..he kindly signed 2 photos for me recently for free...by the way the munckins were paid 100.00 dollars a week for the wizard of oz ( Toto made 125.00) not a lot left to "save " like you did

My words exactly.

Yeah but it is sh**ty that I paid his fee and haven't heard back.

Explained above, and if you used your brain instead of complaining, you could've realized that for yourself. It's not that hard of a concept: If you're getting a form letter back, the celebrity doesn't need to be involved in its mailing. If you're getting an autograph back, the celebrity needs to be involved in its mailing. And as you've said:
1) health problems
2) age

[tommie]

WOW.... First I have been collecting for over forty years. I tried to get his autograph again to hand down to my grandkids. I would think that a guy that old and the last munchkin would want his legacy to be only enhanced by him doing good. When I started collecting no one ever thought about charging. It all started with the card shows and the athletes getting greedy. They should be thankful that someone still cares about them. I have over 30,000 autographs and still do it because it's fun. I hope that you still remember the time that you first opened your first envelope.
Second... if he has an assistant then he surely doesn't need my ten bucks.
Third... He is on Social Security just like me.
Fourth.. We need to go back to collecting for fun and for something to keep the memories alive. Something for your Grand kids to enjoy.
Fifth... If your into this for greed and money. Stop. Remember what goes around comes around.