To All,
I spent from 7:00 in the morning till about 1:00 in the afternoon at the Palace Station chip show. The show is moving along considering it is Rene's first attempt.

One suggestion Rene is either provide individual lights or tell the dealers to bring their own. I assume most dealers take "their" lighting for granted. At times it was hard looking at specific chips from dealers located in different areas of the show floor.

I spent a few minutes talking with Henry Garrett since his table is directly across from Doug Saito's table where I'm located. I know Henry ever since I started collecting chips. Henry is a coin person so he thinks like a coin person. He does not do well selling chips because he applies his coin mentality to chip marketing. Henry NEVER does well selling chips and of course his "slabbing" position should finish him forever in this hobby. That is too bad. Henry has/had much to offer. He is one of the leading authorities on Cuban and surrounding area chips.

In the five years I know Henry I have bought one chip from him. This should indicate to others what I mean. In my opinion his prices are too high and sometimes he is difficult to deal with. Henry is not what you would call "my friend" since our personalities are miles apart and other then chips have nothing in common. We would better be classified as "chip friends" or associates. I respect his coin and chip knowledge and admire his ability to retain even the smallest of details of a previous conversation.

I like others on this board will not deal with him because of his position involving the selling of "slabbed" chips. However, as I have indicated above this will not be some great sacrifice on my part since I didn't buy from him in the past.

I hope all of you understand THAT HENRY does not understand. Oh don't get me wrong he is one of the brightest minds in our hobby. However, he is a coin person and therefore sees nothing wrong in "slabbing" chips. No amount of discussion will change his mind. The economic boycott will not change his mind either. Henry has never sold enough chips at one show to make a difference about anything.

I just wanted everyone who reads this board to appreciate we are dealing with other individuals who have feelings. Often, they don't undersatnd because "they" are communicating on a different level. They hear the words but don't recognize the concept. Anyway, I have written enough and will be heading back to the show in a couple of hours. Hope to see many of you there! Best, Jim