First, as a general rule, I have no problem with someone buying and re-selling. As a buyer, primarily, I like to think I have a chance at some deals when they arise but I don't begrudge dealers from benefitting from those deals either. In practice, I have been able to snag my fair share of those bargains, so I have no complaints at all.

The idea of haggling to reduce the price and then re-sell, is a bit more complex, in my opinion. If I was the seller, and I knew the buyer was a dealer, I would have no problem with some negotiation. If, however, I thought I was dealing with someone who intended to collect, who then immediately re-sold at a higher price, I would think I was being taken advantage of. I think it would rub me the wrong way. If the potential re-seller let me know they were thinking of doing that, in advance, I would not have a problem with it. I may not accept any low offers, but I would not have a problem with it. Of course, if I was unaware of the subsequent sale, I also wouldn't care at all, so I am assuming the issue is open re-selling on this board. This paragraph does not pertain to someone who buys for a collection and then soon after has to sell off their entire collection or a substantial portion of their collection for a reasonable purpose. Or a person who buys and then realizes they have it, or don't really need it in their collection. I am only thinking of the person who is buying for the purpose of re-selling. Essentially that person is trying to reduce my profit so they can increase theirs. Obviously, this person thought the chip had more value than they were willing to pay, and possibly even more than my original price. How is that a nice thing to do? On this board, we are, for the most part, a friendly community. I think it's best to keep it friendly.

Michael Siskin