It is my personal opinion that ebay is primarily a dumping ground for chips that many folks don't want anymore and/or who don't know where else to dispose of them.

It is also my personal opinion that ebay is a great source of material for dealers (AND COLLECTORS who won't admit they are dealers) to pick up chips for inventory at below catalog prices.

Having said that; I know first-hand (not an opinion) that I have want lists from my customers (many of whom are NOT on-line or who don't have time to follow ebay chip sales) for certain chips at my retail prices.

So is ebay price closer to actual value; or is the price paid on the secondary quick turnover the actual value? I say the latter, not the former.

Also, once a chip sells on ebay... again in my opinion ... that the vast majority of ebayers do not track the final price. All they know is what was bid on the chip the last time they looked and not what the chip actually sold for at the bidding deadline. Once the chip is sold, it takes an extra effort to record the item number and research what it sold for.