Doug,

"The reason you see several chips at the same price at dealers tables is that is probably the value that it is listed in the guide books for."

Nope. The prices posted/quoted were above top-end book value for New condition (Campiglia & Wells Guide - that's the one I use for reference, may have been different for the TCR).

"I think when you make a comment about the guides like you did, not only are you insulting the authors, but you are 100% incorrect."

If I insulted the authors, it was not my intention. However, isn't David Spragg a dealer and directly associated with the Chip Rack and, isn't James Campiglia a dealer and also, directly associated with the US Chip Guide? Good, bad, indifferent... it is a reality.

"The authors of the Chip rack have been tracking prices on Ebay for many years. Prices in these guides come from a variety of sources including private sales, Ebay and dealers. Anyone who reads the book would clearly see that as it is stated for all to see."

See... you've proven my point in your response. Notice: E-Bay and Dealers?

Prior to any show or convention, a good dealer will see what other dealers have to offer and what they are offering it for and adjust accordingly. Good, bad, indifferent... that's business and I don't blame them. Those that create guides for any hobby will primarily use those that do the most "selling" in that hobby (aka, Dealers) as their primary resource of information. Dealers are the ones that sell, buy, and trade the most. They check E-Bay daily, hit estate sales, garage sales, flea markets, etc. and "spread the perverbial word" as to value of products. The actual collectors get very little input simply because, there are too many of us for the writers of the guides to contact all the time. It's easier to call a few dealers from time to time...

I'm not trying to rain on anyones parade, but this is simply the way it is. Do you believe James or David are going to ask a random collector, oh say, like me, what I think the value of a limited edition, 1st issue $1 chip from... Antartica is worth in Avg, S-U, and New conditions?! Nope... I only collect Las Vegas $5 house chips, so, they would be wasting their time...

Regards,
Thomas (R-7788)