This does bring up an interesting question regarding the ethics of purchasing chips from fellow collectors.

I have bought and sold chips from other collectors with the express understanding that they would not be posted on Ebay the next day. This is understandable if you are giving a preferential price to fellow hobbyist. However, how long should that promise be in effect? A month? A year? Life? Unless implicitly agreed upon, the selling of an item does convey the right to dispose of the item as the new owner sees fit. It seems reasonable that anytime you sell an item in an open environment such as a live auction or Ebay, you really can't hope to control that objects fate.

I did have one situation where I purchased a rather rare chip and assured the seller that it was for my collection and did not intend to "flip" in the coming months. Within three weeks, I had acquired a second one of the same chip only in much better condition. This created a dilemma and I contacted the original chip seller, explained the situation and offered to "sell" back the chip for the same price I paid. He declined the offer, but appreciated the call and I was able to re-sell the chip with a clear conscience.

Usually if I buy something off the “The Chip Board” postings, it is going in my collection. That being said, I purchase a significant number of items each week at auctions, estate sales and even on EBay with every intention of reselling the item immediately for as big a profit as I can ethically make. I have never had the option of paying a lower price at an auction, provided I retain the product for 6 or more months..

Bottom line, it is understandable when someone wants to provide a “nice home” for something but unless they personally hammer out the details in advance, they should not be offended if someone is buying for resale. Take the money they are offering and use it to give some other chips a nice loving home.