From my standpoint, E-bay does help the hobby. Being in Louisville, there is not a whole lot happening chipwise. There is some activity, but not much. More attention is paid to basketball and that horse race we have every May.

E-bay allows me to work on my collection without traveling to shows. I can search for chips using specific parameters. I set the price I want to pay for a chip...no haggling. I've been able to build and grow my collection with chips I ordinarily wouldn't have access to.

I also enjoy the friends I've made through E-bay. Sure, I am always buying something from them, but whenever I have had a question or request, the seller has been quick to respond. There are a few folks I deal with that I simply E-mail to check up on them, not to buy from them. Once again, I more than likely wouldn't have "met" them if not for the on-line auction. The people in the chip section have always been up-front and honest with me. I can't say that about some of the people in the collectable card groups.

Overall, E-bay has opened up many avenues for me and I'm quite happy with my experience so far.