"Does anybody really ever return limited edition chips for face???"

Happens all the time Jeff. I personally have redeemed thousands of dollars of A.C. chips as a convenience on behalf of collectors (and dealers) who live in far away states, who have no need, or future use, or interest in them any longer, and who want to conserve time, the cost of airfare, transportation and hotel room expenses in order NOT to have to come north, south or east to redeem the chips themselves (nobody comes west to A.C. ).... or to not risk the temptation to place the whole kit and kiboodle on the craps pass line, or on an even money bet at a roulette table.

In fact as an unrelated example; over this past weekend, I purchased two obsolete $25 LE chips off a crap table in Caesars Atlantic City. Both chips upon closer examination had been deliberately defaced by someone severely raking the surface of them over a course surface, such as a cement sidewalk.
When I turned them in for redemption at the cashier's cage, the cashier asked if I had defaced the chips. I replied, "no .... I don't know why anyone would do such a thing." She said that many times when collectors no longer wish to hold quantities of chips they have purchased on speculation, that they purposely damage them prior to cashing them in so that other collectors will not want them. She also told me that "some disgruntled collectors with a "chip on their shoulder" will purposely damage limited edition chips in order to send a subtle message to the casino that issued them." It was hard for me to believe that someone would do that, but I've been told by other collectors who work in the casino industry that this does happen occassionally.

I'm truly sorry to learn when anyone is leaving the hobby Jeff, as you have indicated you plan to do so.... However, having made that decision, be thankful that you can take most of your more common LE chips back to the casino to redeem for face value. That's one of the benefits of selecting chip collecting for a hobby... especially if one lives near their favorite gaming juristiction and is paying face value, or near face value for their chips.

As unpleasant a task as that may seem, (to turn them back in for face) ...... stamp collectors can't return unused postage stamps to the Post Office for redemption. The postal service won't take them back. Not even full sheets. Stamp dealers routinely offer to buy unused postage stamps at 10-15% below face value. Most stamp collectors wind up pasting them on their mailing envelopes in order to get rid of hundreds of stamp issues that have been issued over the years. Even many proof sets that coin collectors have been purchasing from the United States Mint for years, can't be sold at the issue price paid to the U.S. government. Pre-purchased transportation tokens can't be redeemed for their face value after a toll hike goes into effect. In fact, very recently New York City had accumulated tens of thousands of Garden State Parkway tokens that were culled out of their subway fare boxes. They contacted NJ Transportation officials to find out how they would like to handle the inter-state redemption of these tokens. Jersey wanted no part of them. Told New York to dispose of them in any manner they wished.... but that they were not redeemable on any basis. The city then auctioned them off to the highest bidder. I believe it was a large NJ limosine or trucking company, who bought the entire truckload of tokens.... at well under 50% of their value.

But back to hobbies and collecting... After you've enjoyed the ballgame, or visited the local bowling alley ... try to find someone who wants to purchase your score sheets or ticket stubs after you've had the use of them. Photography as a hobby also comes to mind. Ever try to sell used camera equipment .... or photos when you've tired of it all? Any good offers received? For all those who are into chip collecting as a hobby, the facts of the matter are that you are able to recoup a sizeable amount of the money you have spent on your hobby after you decide to "cash in your chips." That can't be said for many other hobbies. All hobbies require spending money in order to pursue your interests and leisure enjoyment. Collect what gives you pleasure. If at the end of the road you are able to recoup a major portion (or all) of your monetary outlays .... or maybe even make a small profit .... it might be wise for some to look upon that aspect as a positive, and not a negative.