Well, I'm a definite newbie here, but I have been 
'lurking'.  At the San Diego Comic Con 2000, my 
friend got in line for a number for an artist 
sketch.  This number was a line number, so if you 
got 8, you'd be the eighth person to get a 
sketch.  You would get your number and come back 
at a later predetermined time.  As it turns out, 
he got a very cool Kia Asimiya sketch for $1!  He 
had to pay $20 for the nice sketch paper and 
frame though.  Hope this helps.