Wonderful. First off, it sounds like you are "suspecting" fraud, but have no proof. As if the Gaming Commission didn't think chip collectors were a pest already, now we have this.

Personally, I don't collect modern Vegas chips, so I have no stake in the whole Hooter's thing. However I do know that popular chip issues sell out quickly, especially if they do not limit the amount bought (which I don't know if Hooters does). If you were a couple of hours late to the issuance, it is possible they sold the actual customers instead of to employees for "kickbacks".

Also, I find it odd you are railing against the secondary market, but you admit to wanting to buy 4 chips yourself. I'm assuming the extra 3 were for selling or trading at the inflated prices.

If Hooters is not playing fairly, then by all means they should be outed. However, if they are just unorganized and not precise about their chip issues, then there is no fraud.

If you don't like the current ebay prices, just wait awhile. Even though the auctions say that they will never be available again, in six months, most of these chips will more than likely be reasonably priced again.