Hi Chuck ----- in my various conversations with Jo King of eBay, nothing she has said would indicate that it is improper to contact a losing bidder after an auction has closed for the purpose of offering that bidder an opportunity to buy the same chip. Nor have I seen anything in the written eBay rules which would prohibit this.

For what it's worth, it is also my opinion that such contact would not be unfair, unethical or improper. On the contrary, if I was the losing bidder involved, I would appreciate having the opportunity to pick up the chip from another source at no harm to the original seller. In fact, I have purchased several chips after eBay auctions in more or less this manner.

Don't profess to be an expert on this subject, but hope this helps!

----- jim o\-S