James, this is the part of our query that caught my eye the most. "... I like my rarer chips to be placed into collectors hands that appreciate them."

We are kindred spirits there my friend. When I made a find of Colorado NCV's a few years ago, I had to make a decision. I found three different colors of this particular NCV; 73 of the first, 50 of the second and 12 of the third. I was able to satisfy the market demand for the first two chips at $15 each. The third chip left me with the difficulty of choosing who would get the 11 of the 12 chips (had to keep a set for myself). I picked 11 people who I considered to be true collectors, and sold those chips to those folks for the same $15 a chip.

Common stuff isn't usually worthy of consideration when placing a distinction about motives for someone wanting a chip, but when the chip is rare, I'll sit on it until someone who will appreciate the chip in his or her collection wants it rather than sell it to someone who only treats this hobby as a business.

...as to ending auctions early, if the auction doesn't have a "buy it now" option, the auction shouldn't end until the bidding has been completed within the auction.

Bob