Hayden,

You are not the first to have this epiphany. Truth is, most hobbies will see rise and fall in prices. There are thousands of baseball card collectors (bubbled in the 90s), comic book collectors (well past it's price peak) and stamp collectors (a dying hobby as stamps are going the way of the dodo) who have seen their purchases plummet in value. Truth be told, chip collecting is one of the most perilous hobbies if you are looking for a return from your purchases as I would venture that the average age of the chipper community is increasing. There seems to be very few young collectors entering the arena. This can be very disconcerting if you are expecting your collection to yield a windfall one day.

However, if you do keep a few pointers in mind, it can still be an enjoyable endeavor. I, like many, have learned these lessons first hand.

1) Don't purchase any chip expecting it to be an investment...some will yield a profit, most will not. The true classics will always fetch a premium price, but that LE chip from the Four Queens is most likely going to be aesthetically pleasing to you than it will ever be financially rewarding.

2) Be patient, be patient and then be patient. See a less-common chip for sale that you have been looking for? Don't jump too fast. Nothing will ruin the enjoyment of adding a chip to your collection quicker that the realization that you paid much too much for it. Unless you are looking a a true unique chip, odds are there will be other examples that become available to you at a more realistic price.

3) Never assume you have all available information or that any price guide is the final word in information about a chip. That chip that was listed as an R-8 in 2009 can quickly become an R-2 after someone finds a box in an attic or antique store. See such chips as Riversides, San Souci, Barneys, Sal Sagev and 100s more. Unless your personal wealth is such that dropping thousands of dollars on one rare chip is not a concern, it is often more rewarding to spend the the thousands of dollars on thousands of chips. They might not appreciate much in value but you will never feel resentful towards the purchase.

4) The actual acquisition of chips is only part of the joy of collecting. There is lots of research and learning that can be done that is not only enjoyable but will pay dividends when you finally decide to buy. (The internet has made this much easier and more time efficient) Additionally, the hobby is about the people as well as the chips. I see you are very active on this bulletin board and ask a lot of good questions, this will not only help you grow your knowledge but introduce you to lots of great people.

Don't give up, you have just reached a point in collecting that many people encounter. Now, you just need to refocus your expectations and take step to ensure that your future efforts are based on a sound understanding of the costs and benefits of being part of the hobby.