You're right Andy, I could have said "anyone in our hobby." But I was using chip dealers broadly, to mean folks that are purchasing chips from others with the goal of making a profit rather than a simple collector buying a chip to keep for their personal collection. I'm not attempting to bash chip dealers but I think this is a subject in our hobby that bears some thought and discussion. As Paul Sax said (and sorry Paul to drag you into this but I was getting complaints for not naming names) in a post a while back, there are some in our hobby that seem to find it a "fleecing opportunity." I think anytime someone is buying chips for "pennies on the dollar" without telling the seller that is what he is doing, it is ethically questionable.

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David, I'm sorry but I don't ever remember using the words "fleecing opportunity" or making the statement "I think anytime someone is buying chips for "pennies on the dollar" without telling the seller that is what he is doing, it is ethically questionable"

On the contrary, if I was making my living as a dealer, or for that matter, if I was trying to make myself a profit, I don't see anything wrong for buying an item for pennies and trying to sell it for as much as possible. This is capitalism and I am all for it.

I have many other complaints against sellers of chips (be they dealers or collectors) but none has to do with "excess profits."

Just so happens that in my case, I believe what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Treat me fairly and I will do the same.

I believe that selling chips to you for the same price you would sell it to me or anyone else is fair to all of us.

My biggest gripe however, is the excessive shipping charges being charged by many people. I wouldn't mind it so much if sellers (especially on ebay) would just add the shipping cost to the minimum bid. What really irks me is putting a minimum bid of say $1.00 on a chip and then charge $5.00 shipping and handling.