Hi Jim,
Maybe it's the way I posted that you don't understand so I'll try to explain it so that even YOU <g> can understand!
First point, while it's TRUE that only 10% of collectors may be on ebay, there are maybe 10% who'd pay more than $200 for a chip! If you don't believe me, ask your buddy Doug Saito as that was his claim as early as two years ago and I don't think much has changed since then. I also know many of these individuals who'd spend $500+ on a chip and I KNOW they're on ebay and DO pick up some of the rare and higher priced items. You and Gene aren't the only ones who collect Jim so on this point you've stated your "feelings" rather than any "facts".

Second point, true many of the items are tired LE's and common chips but if I had to list every rare and expensive chip listed on ebay on this BB to prove to you that they ARE listed there, I wouldn't have much time for anything else!! There are plenty of rare, expensive items listed on ebay, and when they start the auctions at BOOK value guess what........they DON'T SELL!!! Start them with no reserve or a low starting bid and they sell....usually BELOW BOOK PRICE. As to the point about the CR author, that was when auctions were only held WITHIN the club, as in the club magazine, the convention or mail subscriptions such as Howdy's, Doug's, Washoe and the like. As much as you'd like to believe it you're wrong when you say ebay hasn't changed anything in regards to auctions!! A national audience I'd think is a BIT larger than a 2000 member club, wouldn't you? As for placing rare dupes on ebay myself, I do not readily have them as "extras" and the few that I've had or still have WERE listed on ebay with NO BIDDERS.....here's just TWO examples: 1st issue International $5 chip HCE mold, no takers at $400........50 cent Bonanza Las Vegas, NOT NLV, again no takers for $400. Check the "BOOK" on these two chips, then comment. I guess you didn't see the drilled $5 Bugsy that was listed and didn't sell either, although it wasn't mine<g>.

Point three, it almost sounds like you agree with me after disagreeing with me here! That's my point, THERE ARE NO STEALS ON EBAY ANYMORE, PERIOD!! But, if you sift through the common and LE's, there are rare chips to be found that sell for much less than the BOOK values as they are published now, plain and simple. I do think after re-reading your comments to my post that we're on the same page, it's only the "ebay factor on value" that we disagree on, true?

Glad to see comments.........keeps us on our toes!!

Best wishes,
Steve