I don't know if one or both or neither of the chip guides is reliable in the values it quotes. That is one problem newbies have to deal with. Even more so, however, I have an inherent problem with using values from a 4 year-old book. In my past collecting, I would never have used a book years old to determine value (anyone's book). Values change constantly for a myriad of factors. But, for lower-end items, with a recent guide, if somewhat reliable, I could watch for a short while to see where actual prices relate in general to the book's values. Then, with only a small amount of extraneous information about recent finds or other significant factors, plus a general knowledge of price trends for these collectibles and of the overall current economic situation, I could glean a good ballpark figure for most collectibles I might be in the market to buy. But, if I look at a guide that is several years old, I have no idea which information is still valid. Some may be still accurate, even most, but if a large enough sample of values have been dramatically altered, for whatever reason, then I can make no use of the book (as a guide to values). I lack the expertise to use a book that old. It's that simple.

I don't want to cast aspersions on any person for their e-bay practices. I just want to clarify, as a newbie, why quotes from Campiglia & Wells (right now, prior to the new edition) concern me.

Michael Siskin