"Last time I saw some real ones for sale they were asking $150."

Was that for a set of three Gene, or just a single chip?

"Imagine the labor cost to change out the plastic. "

I couldn't imagine Dave removing the original plastic with dentist's tools. I'd have to suspect that he dissolves the plastic with with some type of liquid chemical(s) that doesn't hurt the brass. I'd also have to believe that "cleaning up" the new plastic would be the most time consuming aspect of what he does.

I definitely think he could have been more upfront in his description of this chip. I think he left out a few important details...

Bob