State of the Current Union/Chip Buying Advice (2 Viewers)

[TheDuke]

Do you have an issue with the current state of chipping here or afar? Perhaps you think it's overblown, and this is just part of the ebb and flow of any pastime, specifically "collecting".

If we HAVE to have discourse/discussion, let's at least keep it in a spot for a week or two to not overtake other threads?

In general, the biggest issue is that there's always this weird sense/feeling that this isn't really an open forum. That there's an inner sanctum of elite membership who always seem to have an inside track on things.

But maybe I just don't spend enough time here and read enough threads.

Another issue is that there are alot of threads/posts like this that just hint at things. Topics that seem vague and reinforce the sense that there's a PCF illuminati.

Are you referring to the high pricing for chipsets these days?

I'm not sure if these are brag posts, jokes, or if there are whales on this site who pay these absurd prices.

One issue is the nut huggers and circle jerkers who say things like 'great price' and 'how are these not sold already' for some of these absurdly priced sets. I'd prefer something more appropriate like 'in your dreams' or a 'go fuck yourself' response.

 

[Lemonzest]

The lead is a big part, but the textured inlay is just as important. At least to me. I got some of those Jerry's Nugget $1's that everybody loves, because they're live THC's with a cool spot pattern, and I couldn't stand them. I had to get rid of them. The inlays feel like lame stickers. The chips just feel so cheap to me, compared to the real thing. I have no idea how people find love with those boat chips. Honest to god, they haven't made a Paulson chip in like 20 years that I want to own.
So that's why I have no beef with the price of those giraffes.

I also don't strongly feel one way or another when it comes to textured inlays. What I am most interested in is firstly the color combos, THC or IHC mold, and a good looking inlay with denoms that are easy to read.

Even moreso if textured inlays + leaded composition floats your boat that I can only imagine the demand for Giraffes will remain high.

 

[colter ripton]

I think its just normal ebbs and flows.

I have however ,felt a lot less interested lately. I have been not participating much for a while, and alot of the threads, atleast to me, have seemed like the same shit, with the same few people, all congratulating eachother and saying how awesome their buddies are. I mean honestly, the post counts some of you guys have racked up is crazy. I don't think i ever posted at 25% of that rate, even when I was very active.

Then you get your little spats once in a while that are atleast entertaining to read. I actually don't mind reading a little drama, I read the politics forum a lot and always read through the other shit show threads as well. I haven't been posting all that much, but I'm still around.

As far as prices go, they are sky high right now, but i think thats normal and they will go back down some eventually

I have to say this though, the Giraffes are definatley over priced, and comparing them to the boat chips is rediculious because those are way over priced.

I have 4 nice sets. they are all leaded paulson thcs, with shaped and textured inlays. Hell 3 out of my 4 sets are much more rare, (I havent seen another set of any of those 3 on here), and the 4th is probably about the same rarity as the Giraffes. By the way, incase your wondering, if there are 5600 of them in the wild, they are not especially rare. I dont think that I could get more than 4 dollars a chip average for any of my sets, and i also know that I would only trade one of my sets for equal numbers of giraffs. So, to me atleast, they are over priced. (not as much as some of the NAGB chips though).

 

[JeepologyOffroad]

There can only be demand for something that exists.

 

[Rieguy]

I think its just normal ebbs and flows.

I have however ,felt a lot less interested lately. I have been not participating much for a while, and alot of the threads, atleast to me, have seemed like the same shit, with the same few people, all congratulating eachother and saying how awesome their buddies are. I mean honestly, the post counts some of you guys have racked up is crazy. I don't think i ever posted at 25% of that rate, even when I was very active...

Just to throw some unsolicited sunshine up your ass, your posts in the thread about the 3 FLV chip sales that hit eBay helped me a shit ton in making a more informed decision and understanding relative values. So thank you; I hope you keep posting.

 

[RudysNYC]

I'm glad that I can appreciate quality chips without feeling the need to own them (or "borrow" them, as many people do around here). I would love to own an amazing clay chip set, but I'm totally content with what I have.

This is exactly where I'm at too. I'm new to chipping, but I am totally at peace with where I'm at with it. I have a budding singles and samples collection, my slugged junk and china clay sets are being upgraded to custom ceramics thanks to a sick group buy, and I know what specific chips/sets I have my eyes on in the future (even though I'm ready to wait). Not to mention I've started to get to know some great people on this site, so I'm very grateful to what PCF has to offer. Do I wish clay was cheaper? F**k yes who doesn't?!

There can only be demand for something that exists.

Is Jeepology a branch of existentialism? I dig it.

 

[Lemonzest]

As far as prices go, they are sky high right now, but i think thats normal and they will go back down some eventually

Just my 2c. on pricing. I actually don't think prices are sky high right now. PCF (as a hivemind) are sluts, we all congregate around whatever is new and drive the prices up. Over time the dust settles and people realize which chips really are worth it and which ones aren't. Over the long term the demand for RHC chips across the board won't be that hot. Many RHC sets will be resold at break even prices or a loss not withstanding exceptional racks.

THC sets seem to always be skewed with demand far outweighing supply.

 

[BarrieJ3]

Yes, we get a few reports but your posts are like a magnet! No reports needed!

I'm only here for the gifs! Just three more weeks and I won't be bored in a temp home.

Gotta set up time to get you a beer or ten for all the hard work I put you through on here , two PCFers with boat or pontoon for Canyon lake, start working on a local game. Texas will get me busy and shushing on here soon!

 

[allforcharity]

Some people are selfish, lying, cheating, profiteering, stupid, and mean. Some people are generous, truthful, honest, giving, smart and loving.

Can't I be *all* the above?

 

[colter ripton]

Just to throw some unsolicited sunshine up your ass, your posts in the thread about the 3 FLV chip sales that hit eBay helped me a shit ton in making a more informed decision and understanding relative values. So thank you; I hope you keep posting.

oh I'm not going anywhere, I'm a full blown chip addict. I go through times when I post more and less. I think that is pretty normal also. Im still on the sight alot, and try to help out when I can.

There can only be demand for something that exists.

Solid point, and I agree with you to an extent, but I have always tried to get sets that noone else, or atleast very few people have. If there are 500 sets of the chips floating around they usually don't interest me much.

The Giraffes are fucking sweet, and fairly limited in quantities. I want a set, but i wouldn't pay those prices.

I was in a group chat with the person who found them first. He was not sure about the price and buying 900 of them for 1.60 each and asked me what I thought they were worth. I believe I told him around 3 bucks a chip, maybe more for the yellow 5s and the 1s, but probably would sell for 3 to 3.50 each no problem for the 900 chip set. That was my honest opinion about their value then, and it still is now. But to put that in context a little, I paid around 3.50 a chip average for my ss chips and they are probably in my top 10 or 20 favorite sets that I have seen.

 

[chicubs1988]

Buyers and sellers establishing prices in an open market isn’t a problem. If you’re unwilling or unable to spend the money required to obtain a rare and/or highly sought after set, that is a “you” problem not an “us” problem. Some people seem to think they’re entitled to the chips they want at the price they like. “Oh, you spend hours each week scouring eBay, Craigslist, and estate sales for great chips at awesome prices? Cool, now sell them to me here on PCF at the same below market price you paid or I’ll label you a dirty flipper.”

I have no problem with sellers trying to get the best deal they can, particularly because that means they’re probably offering the chips for sale to the whole community. Yes that drives up the price, but at least it gives people like me a chance as opposed to when awesome chips/sets get dealt via PM and the wider community never even gets the opportunity to buy them.

One “positive” of the higher prices is that people have to be more selective in what they buy which makes it just a little bit harder for people to hoard awesome sets that just sit on a shelf in their basement.

 

[Hornet]

View attachment 511469

Is this a trick question? Are those fake plastic slices of cheese and salami? If that’s real meat and cheese, it’s obviously a sandwich.

 

[upNdown]

I paid around 3.50 a chip average for my ss chips and they are probably in my top 10 or 20 favorite sets that I have seen.

Which chips are SS chips?
If they’re leaded, shaped inlay rarities, I’m guessing you didn’t pay $3.50 per chip for them this year though.
I’ve only been in this hobby for a few years, but in that short time, I’ve seen inflation on sets like that, that will be never change. Because again, they don’t make them like that any more.
So what you paid a few years ago might not have much relevance to what chips are worth today.
But maybe I’m wrong. Would you take $3.60 apiece for them?

 

[Jonesey07]

Is this a trick question? Are those fake plastic slices of cheese and salami? If that’s real meat and cheese, it’s obviously a sandwich.

The most tilting sammich of all time. I wonder who pissed her off.

 

[redwine]

Like someones said the economy may be crashing on average but the fact of the matter is the people paying primo prices are not affected. The people who are the most impacted are the ones who are already economically vulnerable. Most of the highly paid white collar office workers and professionals, they’re all just WFH. In fact, they probably have even MORE disposable income now because they’re staying home, not paying for daycare, not eating out, not spending $$$ vacationing overseas, and pretty much nothing left to do except browse PCF and buy chips. Look at the stock market, S&P is pretty much back to ATH and NASDAQ blew threw it a month back.

I see a lot of things that could drop chip prices. 1) GPI opens up to home sales; 2) some of the old-timers with like 50 sets decide to unload the mother lode; 3) covid causes a lot of cardrooms to close and vendors scoop them up... etc. but I think we're gonna need some sort of external intervention for prices to drop.

 

[redwine]

.

 

[Josh Kifer]

Is this a trick question? Are those fake plastic slices of cheese and salami? If that’s real meat and cheese, it’s obviously a sandwich.

LAW RULES ALL

 

[colter ripton]

Which chips are SS chips?
If they’re leaded, shaped inlay rarities, I’m guessing you didn’t pay $3.50 per chip for them this year though.
I’ve only been in this hobby for a few years, but in that short time, I’ve seen inflation on sets like that, that will be never change. Because again, they don’t make them like that any more.
So what you paid a few years ago might not have much relevance to what chips are worth today.
But maybe I’m wrong. Would you take $3.60 apiece for them?

it really hasn't been that long since I put that set together, atleast the 2nd half of it. and no I wouldnt take 3.60 a chip. I dont honestly think I'd take 10, but not because they are worth that, just because I like them and don't want to sell them.

maybe it's been 2 years, but I dont honestly know. I bought the first 600ish chips while ago, probably 3 or 4 years. the rest I got less than 2 years ago.

 

[Schmendr1ck]

Can't I be *all* the above?

I would expect nothing less.

 

[allforcharity]

I would expect nothing less.

Yay! Free shipping for you!

 

[CrazyEddie]

I can simultaneously be fully in favor of market pricing for everything, with the most desirable and least available chips going to those who are most willing and able to pay for them, AND ALSO be super-annoyed that all the nice chips I want are ending up in the hands of people who have a lot more money than I do.

It's human nature and there's nothing wrong with it.

I'm hoping that in time either the rich folks will have less interest in them, or I will.

 

[crussader]

A couple of other factors come into play with chip pricing.

1) Even though several new casino racks have been released into the wild in the past couple of years, the community is growing even faster. New people are coming daily, increasing demand for the existing chip pool It would be interesting to see how many registered users are currently on PCF compared to membership on the blue wall 15 years ago.

2) Chip supply isn't necessarily growing, even with the new releases. When a new set hits the wild the chips circulate for a while until they eventually find their way into strong hands that won't be releasing them. Then they disappear from circulation, thus reducing the available chip supply. Think of all the sets that were readily available to buy and sell a few years ago that have all but disappeared. Mesquite Star, Vineyards, Ritz, Olivia's, etc. Even PNYs are getting close to extinction. I can't imagine trying to put a set together now.

 

[upNdown]

A couple of other factors come into play with chip pricing.

1) Even though several new casino racks have been released into the wild in the past couple of years, the community is growing even faster. New people are coming daily, increasing demand for the existing chip pool It would be interesting to see how many registered users are currently on PCF compared to membership on the blue wall 15 years ago.

2) Chip supply isn't necessarily growing, even with the new releases. When a new set hits the wild the chips circulate for a while until they eventually find their way into strong hands that won't be releasing them. Then they disappear from circulation, thus reducing the available chip supply. Think of all the sets that were readily available to buy and sell a few years ago that have all but disappeared. Mesquite Star, Vineyards, Ritz, Olivia's, etc. Even PNYs are getting close to extinction. I can't imagine trying to put a set together now.

If the numbers that have been floated are accurate, this next chip room sale may literally have enough for everybody.

 

[BarrieJ3]

There can only be demand for something that exists.

And there was WAY more demand for this thread than this thread https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/ay-whos-thirsty-out-there.60585/#post-1185791

Yes, we get a few reports but your posts are like a magnet! No reports needed!

I'm just giving the people what they want! Lol I can offer the Galilean, but they just keep shouting, "Barrabas! Barrabas!"

 

[Marhault]

I think this is topical. I've personally been having issues with some things and I guess I'll try to express them here without being a huge dick.

When it comes to economy of the hobby, I really feel like this runs just like everything else in a capitalistic society. Everything flows to the money. Do I like that? Not exactly, mainly because I'm one of those blue collar guys with white collar tastes. I think @Josh Kifer touched on it well. I understand the economy of things. Just don't like it.

My issue is one that's been on going for sometime. Dating back to CT. I fell out of interest after a while on CT because of my financial situation and looking at all the stuff I couldn't afford was just torture for me. But because of my love of all things poker and chip related I kept coming back.

98% of the people you run into and work with on this site are great people. I've sent things to people who are perfect strangers, bought things from strangers transferring what to me is a lot of money and have rarely gotten burnt. My problem is that 2%.

With the inevitable increase in money influx (looking at you @windwalker no offense) that brings out the worst in people. It turns this place into less of a "community" with a classifieds, and more into eBay with more PMs.

I think the economy shift hurts things for new chippers. What I mean by that is that we have new guys getting into the hobby. Starting out and maybe looking for a deal. This is where that 2% of shit bags comes in. The guys who buy stuff from vendors only in hopes of flipping it. Most of them aren't flipping them in the classifieds, although some are, most do it in PMs. They'll PM a new guy and try to sell something to them for way more than they paid. They're preying on people. This is the thing I think we need to change.

@BarrieJ3 has said it several times. We have to stop getting on people's posts and saying "great deal, awesome chips, someone buy this!'" when it's something that isn't a deal. I don't mean thread crap. I just mean if it's something someone is selling for twice what they paid, and you know for a fact that a vendor still has those particular chips for sale, shoot a new guy a PM and tell them. Help these guys out.

We can't help the economics of things but we can function more as a "community" and less like a Barker at a carnival for flippers.

Btw when I'm talking about flippers, I'm talking about people who specifically target what might be rare with no intention of keeping them. Their only intention is to make money after the vendor sale. Or even selling vendor items that are still available for more than what the vendor is still selling them for but maybe isn't actively advertising them.

I don't know. I'm terrible at making a point. I guess I got to ramble and now I feel better lol.

 

[Geremie]

I’m pretty happy with my sets and don’t plan on buying/selling so I’m steering clear of most of the madness.

I’m relegated to just collecting random dealer buttons with matching cut cards and new set-ups. But it’s so much better on the wallet and not a lot of competition (unless it’s for a Gemaco Superflex/Proflex set-up...those bad boys are well hidden in the abyss)

 

[upNdown]

I think this is topical. I've personally been having issues with some things and I guess I'll try to express them here without being a huge dick.

When it comes to economy of the hobby, I really feel like this runs just like everything else in a capitalistic society. Everything flows to the money. Do I like that? Not exactly, mainly because I'm one of those blue collar guys with white collar tastes. I think @Josh Kifer touched on it well. I understand the economy of things. Just don't like it.

My issue is one that's been on going for sometime. Dating back to CT. I fell out of interest after a while on CT because of my financial situation and looking at all the stuff I couldn't afford was just torture for me. But because of my love of all things poker and chip related I kept coming back.

98% of the people you run into and work with on this site are great people. I've sent things to people who are perfect strangers, bought things from strangers transferring what to me is a lot of money and have rarely gotten burnt. My problem is that 2%.

With the inevitable increase in money influx (looking at you @windwalker no offense) that brings out the worst in people. It turns this place into less of a "community" with a classifieds, and more into eBay with more PMs.

I think the economy shift hurts things for new chippers. What I mean by that is that we have new guys getting into the hobby. Starting out and maybe looking for a deal. This is where that 2% of shit bags comes in. The guys who buy stuff from vendors only in hopes of flipping it. Most of them aren't flipping them in the classifieds, although some are, most do it in PMs. They'll PM a new guy and try to sell something to them for way more than they paid. They're preying on people. This is the thing I think we need to change.

@BarrieJ3 has said it several times. We have to stop getting on people's posts and saying "great deal, awesome chips, someone buy this!'" when it's something that isn't a deal. I don't mean thread crap. I just mean if it's something someone is selling for twice what they paid, and you know for a fact that a vendor still has those particular chips for sale, shoot a new guy a PM and tell them. Help these guys out.

We can't help the economics of things but we can function more as a "community" and less like a Barker at a carnival for flippers.

Btw when I'm talking about flippers, I'm talking about people who specifically target what might be rare with no intention of keeping them. Their only intention is to make money after the vendor sale. Or even selling vendor items that are still available for more than what the vendor is still selling them for but maybe isn't actively advertising them.

I don't know. I'm terrible at making a point. I guess I got to ramble and now I feel better lol.

We should advertise a chip hotline for newbs. I've had newbs ask me for advice once or twice - hey, this guy offered me these; are they worth it? I'm so happy to answer those questions.

 

[Taghkanic]

I think the lack of live poker over the past six months has paradoxically diverted some of our gambly energies into chipping.

I have bought chips and upgraded sets even though I see no prospect of hosting a face to face game again this year.

I’m playing a ton online. But it’s not the same and chipping somehow fills that void, even though it makes zero sense. Really I should be paring down.

 

[Marhault]

We should advertise a chip hotline for newbs. I've had newbs ask me for advice once or twice - hey, this guy offered me these; are they worth it? I'm so happy to answer those questions.

I watch the classifieds. When I see someone new showing interest in something I ask them some questions about what they need or if they are about to make a leap on something bad I try to at least point them to some threads with values.

My advice to a new guy. If someone offers you something in a PM outside the classifieds, make a post about it asking if it's a good price. If they're not trying to prey on you then they'll have no issue. You don't have to name them by name but if you do I know I'd be perfectly fine with that. I've offered people things in PM before that I eventually put in the classifieds for exactly what I offered them for or slightly more. If someone wanted to question my prices I'd be all about that.

 

[DZPoker]

Ok, I’m one of the new guys here...so consider what you paid for my views before you value them.

As a noob things can be pretty frustrating. Today I just found out that there’s a concept of pre-dibs (as though dibs wasn’t enough!).

That being said, market price is what it is. The thrill of the hunt is what it is too. Put them together, and you have a mighty fine Je........deal!