Hi Brian
I collect Harrah's and often buy quantites - either regular house racks or small quanties of obsolete fractionals ~ things like that ~ when they present themselves. I do this so when someone emails me looking for a certain chip, maybe I'll have one to sell or trade. I am not "hoarding" them, just because I have an inventory - and I usually trade them at face value if possible or in the case of the fractionals, have sold them more reasonably than most dealers can because chipping is my hobby - I have a job.

Chippers all over the country will let me know when they'll be at Harrah's and often volunteer to pick me up some Harrah's at face - WHICH SAVES EVERYONE MONEY. This began happening after I responded to requests for specific chips with, "The XX_$5_LE? That is $5 or a $5 chip in trade." When I am "fair", people are thrilled and sometimes respond by getting me MORE at face from somewhere else, which brings me more chips to offer reasonably to get more chips to offer reasonably.

I think the key as everyone has suggested ~ is in "motivation". Even if you acquire them all to tile your game room... IMO - that is purer motivation than to buy them all- keep them all - and manipulate the market and availability of them to other collectors. (BUT IF YOU EVER CHOSE TO LAY a HARRAH'S LE IN TILE... PLEASE MAKE SURE I GET ONE FIRST!