I guess I just don't know when to keep my big mouth shut... but I'll try one more time to get the TRUTH out.... at the expense of having it picked apart one more time ... and then I'll shut up. The fact is; The infamous Ebay chip was never metioned in my newsletter as one poster incorrectly implied. I've not "screwed" anyone, as a previous post boldly proclaimed as I feel that I'm one of the most open individuals (to a fault) that you would ever want to deal with.

Here is the actual word-for-word quote published in the two-page Special Issue Newsletter that was sent out to all of my subscribers regarding the Will Espin chip.... so that everyone knows the FACTS, not distortions and suppositions posted on this bb.... which will now be subjected to even more scrutiny into MY Business. As you will see, I've done exactly some of the things that some of you have suggested, in your opinons, that should have been done. Please read my opening paragraph carefully:

PROPOSAL
"I have just 27 chips at my disposal. I plan to keep 7 of them for future inventory for sale at a later date. I am now accepting bids on twenty (20) pieces FROM MY SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. (note; italics were in my newsletter, not CAPS, so I'm not really shouting at anyone here) I will NOT accept any offers from non-subscribers. If you are able to obtain a specimen of this chip from other sources, I urge you to take advantage of any opportunity that may present itself. I do understand."

I've not mislead anyone, nor have I "screwed" anyone. I was completely up-front and forthright with all. I've explained in great detail the problems experienced in getting these chips from a very manipulative casino and have encouraged my subscribers to seek out other sources, as it was impossible for me to supply them all with this chip. Here is the rest of what I said in my proposal.

"However, if you are interested in bidding for one of my 20 specimens I'm making available to my subscribers only; here's the deal. I've set a deadline of April 15th as the cut-off date that I will accept mail bids. I will average out the five top bids ... and that that will be the price I will accept from the 20 top bidders who respond to this notice. I will announce (publish) the top five bidders by name and bid offered. In the event one of the top 20 bidders does not accept the average price set by the top five bidders, I will go down the list past #20 until all 20 pieces are disposed of. It's the only fair way I can think of to make this scarce chip avialable to everyone. There are over 100 subscribers on my $5 new issues list. Unfortunately, I can't supply everyone. Rather than arbitrarily selecting 20 names from the list, I've decided to make the 20 pieces available I do have for sale, to everyone in a competitive environment. I hope that you all understand the predicament I've been place in."

There you have it folks! Now everyone can make up their own mind who has been misrepresenting what and who got "screwed" from this arrangement for distribution. As for the controversial ebay chip.... that chip was obtained as a result of a trade with another collector for my Golatta chip and was not part of the 27 chips mentioned in my newsletter. BTW; actually it's 26 chips, as I gave one to a drunken sailor in Las Vegas as a gift. (inside joke)

So call me what you want, I bear no ill will towards anyone. I'm comfortable with the decision I've made.... and obviously most of my subscribers are as well. As of this moment, not one of them have emailed or written to me requesting they be dropped from my service... although one has alluded to doing just that on this bb..... which I'm truly sorry to lose.

As for Chuck Smorse's similar service in Vegas, I'm sure that Chuck is a fair and honorable, concientious new issues service provider. I don't know how many collectors Chuck provides chips to, but it's no secret that he works in the casino industry and has lots of contacts there. I feel that I'm just as honest and fair as Chuck is.

I feel that those of you who have commented on the "hobby" aspect are overlooking the fact that there is also a business side of this hobby. If you prefer trading with other collectors, that's fine, and I encourage all collectors to do that. I take exception to the comment that only the easy chips are provided by the dealers and the inference is that you are held up by a new issue dealer for additional premiums when the tough ones are released. I don't speak for anyone else but myself, but I think that I've gone the extra mile to obtain tough LE chips for my subscribers. I'll let my subscribers speak on behalf of my service, not someone who knows nothing about me, or what I do. If any subscriber wishes to withdraw their bid prior to April 15th, I will honor their wishes.

If anyone has anything futher to say to me, you know how to get in touch with me, via email. I feel like I'm beating my head against a stone wall and there is nothing to gain for me to continue to respond to some of the borderline hysterics I've been reading on this bulletin board. I've got more important things to do... like prepare my 1999 income tax report... claiming income on my chip sales... that some of you I know would just as soon forget about. You see, this is what I do for a living now.... since I retired over four years ago. So call it a "hobby" if you like, to me, the inescapable truth is that some of it has to be looked upon as business. My suggestion to several of you is; find a trading partner ... you'll both be happier... and I will too.

I'm now done.....