Another sick point is since I am still very new and have green horns (or chips) what if I buy a screwed chip? Am I screw then?

Yes you are...that is why you should pay attention to those posts...The Rat posts every year at this time if your at the convention use your best judgement...if you are buying high dollar items pay close attention to what you are buying. If you find something half the price of what everyone else is seling it for think about it..