Steve...once again I agree with your assessment of this situation. I have been to the super show many times over the last 15 years and I see the attitudes of these so-called "positive" people. They are only friendly to one another, if you are at one of their tables and you want to ask about a chip they have for sale, you have to wait forever (because they are busy with one another) and when they finally do get to you, they treat you like you're bothering them. They have this high and mighty attitude and feel like they are royalty because they are sitting behind a eight foot table with chips on them.
On this board, if you make a comment that one of them doesn't like, it seems like the same ones all get together to gang up on you no matter if your comment has merit or not. I do like this board, it affords me the opportunity to learn, and also I have made some very good contacts to purchase some very high end and elusive chips for my collection.
I am tired of being attacked if I make an unpopular comment, but I have come to expect it. They've been doing it for so long. I will continue to collect because I love the hobby, but I choose to stay away from this organization because of its fraternal attitudes and actions.
One last thing, if this board is the barometer of the success of the hobby, I can't imagine why there are over 20,000 chips available on eBay which is open to members and non-members alike. Unlike the fraternity club auctions. (Which I would bid in if I could...my money is as green as everyone else's)