I agree with most of what you stated, but do have a problem when you try and compare values to values. If EVERY chip were inflated by the same percentage, you could make the assumption that the values are similar and trade/sell from that standpoint.

When you have a chip that trades frequently, it is easier to pinpoint the value. When a chip trades sometimes, you don't have as much to go on. My impression is the values get skewered to a higher degree when a chip does not trade frequently. In this case, generally, the chip will trade more frequently on eBay then it will from a dealers stock. If you are consulting the dealer for value, you will tend to get a disproportionate inflated value. Without filling the thread with examples, beg me that this example is close to correct:

I have X chip, R5 in SU condition. The guide values the chip at $500. I have never seen the chip break $225 in that condition. Now you want to trade me several chips that are R-3's that are valued in the guide at $50, but whose real market value is about $35. A fair trade, using guide values, would be 10 chips for 1. In real world values, a fair trade is 7 for 1.

My supposition is that in the case of the 1st chip, the guide authors would lean more on feedback they got from dealers, rather than from eBay sales when they derived a value. In the case of the second chips, they trade with more frequency, and it is easier to pinpoint the value.

And hey, David, while I can believe that you do not know the value of your collection, I'd wager a substantial amount that you are very interested in knowing the value of the next collection you purchase!