The best part of this discussion….It causes all of us to think how and what is in best interest of our hobby...

Unfortunately, we all collect different things and we all have different discretionary income/budgets that we can apply, or allocate in a hobby that we all seem to enjoy.

I would love to say BAN all FAKE, and RECENTLT PRODUCED FANTASY items. However, if done, we drive away a number of great individuals with only a limited amount of dollars to spend, who are good, honest, down to earth and exactly what we want as fellow members. Just because I can afford a high end chip, doesn’t mean everyone can.

Originally I came on this board with a Pro-Slabbing agenda. Not because I think it’s the great savior or in the best interest of the hobby, but because I am pro choice. Needless to say, I have taken a great deal of crap for my position. And my Pro-Choice position was no different than those that allow or encourage, or offer for sale, Fakes, Recent Reproductions, and other After Market Casino Memorabilia.

I agree with Gene and maintain the position that repaired and altered chips can only hurt the hobby in the short and long run. I have never had a chip repaired, slabbed, or altered. I have never bought a repaired chip to my knowledge. And that may be the problem. Do I really know? I have great friends in this hobby who help and give me advise all the time. I have been in this hobby only 6 years now, and while I may have a better chance than most, I have made numerous mistakes and have been taken by some of the best or worst depending on who you ask! Imagine the new kid on the block with more money to spend than me. He walks up to the wrong dealer as I did when I first started out,,,,,,,,,,,,, BEND OVER!!!!

Gene wants an idea tossed out? Here is mine. Level the playing field.

Designate and Distinguish memorabilia. Set aside a portion of any show/convention for fantasy or fake items. Set that part of the room apart. If that’s what you sell great. One item or one thousand items, it doesn’t matter. If you choose to sell non-authentic casino memorabilia and do not disclose those items, (caught by any individuals that are designated by the club or BOD responsible to view all dealers merchandise available for sale), and you get caught, you are fined a $1000 which goes to the Club Building Fund. Repeat the offense, you are banned for life!

If you want to get serious about this hobby, integrity is step one.

IMO

Glenn