You might not want to pay that much, but enough people do that its a booming business. Just search on ebay someday and you'll see a huge market exists for autographs of all types. The actor may be sitting there for 90 minutes, getting writer's cramp to give someone a thrill, but if that someone "gets it for free, and turns around to sell it for 20-100 dollars" then its the actor who's made to feel like a chump.
We all pay for things if we want them badly enough. Anyone want a Honus Wagner card? Heck, that baby might just put your kid through college!
10 years ago I went to my first ST convention. My entrance ticket included a bunch of "free" autographs, and yes they are still proudly displayed on my wall. When I came home, a non-Star Trek friend asked me about the trip, and she was aghast that I DIDN'T pay an extra $50 for Shatner's autograph. She exclaimed SHE would have given me the money just to let me have the thrill of seeing him "up close" and personal.
She was right. I should have done it.
9 years later, when I had another opportunity to "meet" another Trek Diety, I did not hesitate. I waste a lot of money every year, but I still smile whenever I pass that photo of me and Leonard and see his smiling face.
It may not be "worth it' for everyone, but it was for me.
