Paul: Like you, I am very uncomfortable dickering. But I finally have gotten myself to the point where I ask, "What is your best price?" I also learned at the CC&GTCC shows where I sell, that no one is afraid to ask me for a better price. I think that the shows are similar to flea markets in that regard; dickering is expected.

Two stories--but first a commercial. I have offered local chips in the Vegas show and ask a couple of bucks above cost--but I alwasy tell the people that they can go to the casino and get it at the cage. Story # 1: last year at our Aladdin show, I saw a current $1 Aladdin chip that a dealer, whose name I will not reveal, was offering at $2. Someone bought it--for $2!

Second story: at the first show I attended, which was somewhere in Vegas a few years ago, I came across Howard Hertz [if my memory does not fail me--and if I am wrong, I apologize Howard, if you are lurking out there somewhere]. He had a set of 500 or more of the mongramed CC chips that were pristine pure and I desparately wanted one. He would not sell just one. I whined; used tears; offered one of my ivories in exchange; all to no avail. So I slunk off feeling awful. He called me back and put his hand on mine and in it was one of the chips. I stammered out what did he want for it, and he said, "Nothing, I just don't want you crying on my ivories."

Most dealers are like Howard; honest, approachable, friendly and willing to dicker.

See you in Vegas? Stop by at Table # 45. I pormise you won't have to beg for a better price unless, of course, it is on a chip I am selling for someone else.