... of my comments as supporting an attack on all chip dealers.

We all know that Paul speaks his mind and I'm certainly in no position to act as an apologist for him (been known to do it myself on occasion <g>). But, I did not read his comments as attacking all dealers and you did leave out the significant part of the paragraph you quoted from Paul's prior message, which concluded: "The difference between someone charging $25.00 for a chip and one charging $1.00 for the same chip." I took that as a complaint about price gouging, which HAS been known to occur.

Please see my longer message ("Collectors & Dealers") in response to Archie's post above, which contains more detailed information about my own recent chip transactions (mostly with dealers).

Obviously, there ARE many dealers in the hobby who are more than willing to go out of their way to be helpful to collectors, both newbies and old-timers. I have nothing but the highest regard for such dealers.

John, I have told you privately in the past and will say here for everyone to see that I have found you to be an honest & fair person who has the best interests of the hobby always in mind. I have called on you several times for advice about chips that I was considering buying from others and you have always responded quickly and cordially, fully sharing your far superior experience and expertise without reservation (and without hope of any profit for yourself). I have made several purchases from you and while you may (or may not) have profited from those sales, I have always been more than satisfied with your prices and your service.

To the extent that my comments supporting Paul's post appeared to denigrate you or any of the other fine dealers in our hobby, I apologize, for that was not my intent at all. ----- jim o\-S