Chris, I use to feel the same way you do about these "outlandish" prices some people are trying to get for their chips but have since changed my mind. I'm sure some of the dealers will remember my utterances of these prices being voiced on this board the same as you are doing now.

But I have since realized that this is a market economy. It's free enterprise and one can charge as much as one likes. Remember, you are free to accept or reject any offer. I agree with you that the prices are much too high and therefore do not bid on them. As a matter of fact, I haven't on anything from Ebay in a long time and don't know if I will in the future as most prices on the auction block will be higher than what I can get the same chip for from persons I have developed good relations with on this board.

I have a reputation by many people of one who refuses to pay excessive prices ( according to my scale) for any chip. I would rather go without. Example: my usual limit for a current LE is $7.50 and usually am able to get it for around $6.50 to $7.00. That in itself might sound too excessive to a person living in Las Vegas and able to just go to the cage and pick it up for himslf for face. But I remember while I was at the convention, there were certain current chips I wanted, but due to the heat, my being so tired etc, I decided to let my normal supplier pick up the chip for me and pay him the extra 40% tariff rather than for me to go to the casino, valet park (1.00), and save the extra buck.

Bottom line. Don't let these people get under your skin. I think most collectors who buy on Ebay are readers of this board and realize the "fair" prices of chips, and if not, will learn soon enough as we all have.

I am expecting to sell some of my traders on auction at Ebay as soon as I master my scanner and will be expecting larger than normal prices for my chips as well.

One more thing Chris. Trading is a different situation than selling a chip to an anonymous buyer, one you don't know and may never hear from again. And as someone said in a previous posting, who is to say that a particular chip is not worth the asking price to someone who really wants it. It might be a sentimental purchase or maybe he knows someone willing to pay much more for the chip then he is paying which means he might be making a hugh profit as well.

Like Jim P., I am trying to tone down my anxiety level, (at least until July) and try not to let annoyances such as excessive Ebay asking prices bother me. <g>