UNfortunately, as chips increase in value, there will be more people who do unsavory things.

A good example is the people who are trying to bring slabbing into the hobby. If the issue is whether you include shipping on the chip I just bought for $3, or whether that is extra. Con jobs like the slabbers I've heard about won't be able to make any money.

When a chip sells for thousands (or tens of thousands) people may become more inclined to 'be sure' on their investment.

There are experts in the Art world, who are paid well for their expertise. There were also "experts" with beanie babies, who intentionally (or unintentionally) involved in the scam.

As our hobby grows, we need to rely on good people to defend it from the not so good. There are people in this hobby who are legitimate experts. But they share that expertise right here everyday. An easy example would be Gene Trimble (or Doug Saito or any number of others).

I mention these two because they made a genuine effort to help 'educate' me on issues involving chips I had, or was looking at. They probably benefit, in that next time, I will go to whom I trust. But they give of their time and knowledge regularly.

Sadly I can see a time when that knowledge may become a commodity to valuable to be shared freely. Back to the issues at hand.

The discussion about auctions is a benefit to everybody, because we are trying to find concurrences of how we should deal with each other. That way the seller and buyer get a fair deal.