I didn't quite understand the reasoning behind the $25 increase as well.

What it tells me is that in the eyes of the authors, "fixing" a chip has no drawbacks. If its a good fix, you can sell it at uncancelled prices, but if it is noticed, well then, you can at least get your money back for the cancelled chip and work done. But if, for instance, a noticeable fix would make the chip worthless, there would be the risk of losing the initial investment of the damaged chip (and in my opinion people would be less inclined to do so.)

Of course, this is only the opinion of the authors. If they feel there is no value lost in a cancelled chip which has been repaired, then I commend them for taking this controversial stance and stepping out on it.

The market will have the final word on price.