Dear John,
I have to disagree. I collected since 1973 and the last year throught the Chipboard and after becoming a member in CCGTCC, I have made lots of friends and looking forward to my first convention in Las Vegas.
In the 'old' days I just picked up a chip whenever I went on holiday and visited a casino.
Now I have a few good friends in the USA, Australia, Spain etc. Which I met via the Board. I trade with them quite a lot. I always look forward to their envelopes and they do too.
Unfortunatly I can NOT trade with ALL collectors, when I get new material in it is always a few, to satisfy all the collectors who want some from me I have to buy hundereds...
Okay me too I buy some LE's when I like them and okay I sell on my obsolete material, this just to get money back to fund my next find.
I have sold to lots of collectors and they where all happy and understand that for older obsolete material they have to spend money. I have got lots of comments saying thank you for making it available to other collectors, that makes me feel good.
Every hobby costs money, I used to be involved in motorsports and the amount of money spend there is astronomical, to get your son/daughter started in motorsport you have to spend lots and lots of $$$$.
Here in chipping I find that I can have a nice time looking for older stuff and trade with people on the otherside of the world for little money.
Okay there are extremes like a chip of 10.000$ but it is a just what it is worth to you. I have let early 1900s material pass by when the price whas to high.
But calling the hobby a bussiness ?
Like in ALL past times it gets more and more 'profesional' but when like our club has a get together it has become so big that we just can not have it at some collectors home.... who would have the space.
I am so glad to see that after years and years collecting on my own that I have found some 'soulmates' who share the same interest.
In January I went to visit John Benedict in Florida and talked jetons,chip & plaques for hours on end , the first time in my life that someone could do that with me. Those who does not understand get bored after 5 minutes.
So let the hobby grow and lets make lots of new friend.
Sorry for the long post and possible spelling errors, take care and kind regards
Bob R-4479 Belgium