"You guys are dumbasses.
I shared what I know. I told what I was told."

You've now been told more. And, I agree with Gene, if anyone would have known that these chips weren't destroyed, it would have been Mel. To take it further, why would they have been destroyed? They didn't have a face value, only a collectible value!

"Gene thinks he is the god of the hobby."

...no, you think Gene thinks he is a god of this hobby.

"Better not disagree with him."

...please take that advice, because he's been right more often in the short time I've known him than you will be in your entire lifetime!

"What a damm pest."

I can understand you considering another person being a pest if you are continually proved to be wrong when called to the carpet about false or misleading information.

"Your negativity is so bad for the hobby."

Gene's sharing correct information that counters your false or misleading information is negative for you but very good for the hobby!

Bob