Hi Bob,
Sorry, I made a mistake. The $25.00 El Rancho chip I referred to in my previous note was not last years auction - but the year before. All years begin to run together after age 50.<g>

I hope you understand I was discussing a very small minority of people who conduct themselves in such a poor manner. The majority of people are honest and place chips in auction with the best of intentions. However, when a collector is new it is very difficult to go through so many lots and try to determine which 4 or 5 pieces out of hundreds are "set-ups". It takes much work in keeping up with the current talk and market. Not everyone has the luxury of good and honest friends like I do who keep me from getting stuck.

I guess as one of those friends mentioned to me a while ago - getting stuck is sometimes the price we all pay for education. At one time or another ALL OF US have gotten stuck. This I am sure of.<VBG>

I like everyone here on the board want our hobby to grow. My enthusiasm to keep the hobby "crystal clean" sometimes is interpreted as being counter-productive by those who are willing to accept the 4 or 5 pieces in a lot of 200 or 300; or willing to accept the very small amount of collusion that takes place. I for one am not willing to accept this without at least trying to do something. However, I am a realist in the sense that the only way to eliminate it totally is not to have an auction. This of course is also unacceptable to me. So I try to keep the problem to a minimum by alerting everyone to possible situations.

I hope you take what I wrote in that vain. Enjoy the hobby, take part in the auctions if you wish. Just learn from what I share with you - and keep both eyes open. Knowledge does not mean you have to quit having fun! Best, Jim