Hi Paul!
The information you share is not new nor is it unique. All of us have felt the same way you did at Hollywood Park. How you adapt depends upon your personality AND whether someone takes the time to teach you. Knowledge and information are POWER. I am not using power in a derogatory sense. Your self confidence and self image involving chips will increase and grow with the more knowledge you acquire.
First of all, you do not have to apologize for your trade book. Your book is YOURS!! View it with pride - others will treat it the way you do. There is nothing wrong with valuing your chips at face value. However, I will give you a rule of thumb. Generally, most people will value a $1.00 current table chip in relation to how far you as a buyer must go to obtain it. For example, a $1.00 Nevada table chip from say The Sahara would and should be priced at $3.00 at the Hollywood Park Show. Why?? People who live in California are not going to come to Nevada just to pick up a $1.00 Sahara they might need. The $1.00 Hollywood Park here at say Arizona Charlies Show might be priced $3.00 for the same reason. This is how I and most of my dealer friends price current house chips. The $5.00 for $7.00 or $7.50 - the $25.00 for $30.00 or $33.00. I think you get the idea. Some say this is too cheap! So what - Do your thing.
Just because you obtain the chip for $1.00 does not mean you should value it for trade at $1.00. Some $1.00 chips are difficult to obtain such as from cruises or Indian reservations we have read about here on this board. Price the $1.00 from $3.00 to $4.00 depending upon difficulty, etc. If the ones you have were not difficult to obtain - price them for trade at $3.00.
Also you must ask questions. People like Scott and his wife are the BEST!!! They always have time to answer questions for new collectors. They do not pretend to have all the answers and I have never know them to be sharp with anyone. There are many other dealers like Scott and collectors like myself who will try to answer any question you have. Just ask!! <g>
To be intimidated is not a comfortable feeling. However, it is not the end of the world either.<VBG> Even with my strong personality I sometimes feel lost in a conversation between two old time collectors when I know nothing about the subject area they are discussing.
Develop a set of guidelines for yourself:
For example, Deal with no one who does not make time for you. After all, each one of us are important as individuals. We sometimes forget others do not have the same amount of experience and knowledge we may happen to have. I have a lot more to give you in the way of information and suggestions. Look for me at the convention you can find me at Consolidated Collectibles - table #81 right behind Scott Hartman. Best, Jim