Hi gene, yes i have seen a repaired chip from whalen. it looked flawless. i was at a chip show a year or two ago and he had a table selling his fake chips that , i think had stickers on them.i had played poker with him the night before at sahara, i dint know who he was then, so at the show i asked how and about his repairing service and he showed me one. he didnt seem to be hiding anything, i did wonder why he was allowed in. i think a service using xray and experts in our community could tell a repaired chip. cetainly not a slabbing co. only in for $ .
we need experts, quite frankly like you,and i could think of a few others, that are known as honest and interested in the hobby first and protecting the integrity of same. also, maybe a different kind of slab, one than can be opened but with a seal that would tell future owners that the seal was broken. this way a guy like me could have a high end chip authenticated, all i care about, and then opened if i wanted . just a thought. as far as being combative, i respect you and read all of your posts, i even encoureged you to write a book a few years ago.your contribution to this hobby and this board is huge and i thank you.