Chuck,

I understand your concern and I too feel that there are some dealers out there who are not collectors and are only concerned with making a buck. Since I am not a dealer, I don't know what the markup on chips usually is. I do know that since most dealers buy chips from other dealers, and pass them on to other dealers before a collector gets to it, the price raises through each of their hands.

But lets not be too hard on the dealers. I for one am glad there are people who spend their time as dealers. They are a resource to collectors which makes it easier for us to collect. Sure they add on a profit margin, but think of how much harder it would be to collect without them. I don't however appreciate those who hoard certain chips only to mark up the prices without releasing quantity in stock. That I don't think is fair.

As for the Chip Rack prices, I talked with Michael Knapp during the convention and he knows the book is not the end all of Nevada prices. It is supposed to be a starting guide to help the collector, not lay down the law.

Will chipping become the baseball card fiasco. I hope not. All I can say is enjoy it now. If you don't enjoy it, what's the point in doing it at all?

Ed Hertel