The only logical connection I could find between a third-party slabbing company and chipping was the growth of Limited Edition chips.

It would have never occurred to me that an "insider" would have initiated slabbing. With the numerous problems slabbing has caused in the coin collecting world... I am dumbfounded that any coin dealer would even consider ruining another hobby. I can however see, with the money made slabbing coins and cards, how someone would want to be in on the "ground floor". ONLY those who are in early, make the REAL money... everyone else loses!