No. Every other collector's market I've ever seen respects the market values of each other's collectibles. Some may disagree slightly on high market vs low market, but this idea of trying to control the market with flipper-shaming pitchforks appears to be unique to the chipping hobby. Vintage toys, Star Wars collectibles, baseball cards, comic books, Legos, antique gas station signs, guns, knives, WW2 memorabilia, you name it. Every other collectibles hobby is sky-rocketing up in value right now, and all of those markets respect the market values of each other's collections. Nobody gives two fucks what anyone paid. They only care what it's worth now. Why half of this community is hell-bent on trying to control the market here is beyond me.
** warning Ben book! But I think this one is worth a read, not meant to start a debate, if you don't like it send me a PM
I don't understand why you say this this concept is beyond you Travis? You were here in the begining, you got in on the ground level or close to it. You have had the opportunity to own chips for resonable prices, even exchange or buy other sets and decide what you want.
With this new market and people who didn't get in on the ground level that option really is no longer there. So yes the guys that own tons of chips are sitting back laughing and enjoying all of this (literally laughing as they watch their profit margins skyr-ocket!!) But what is being lost here is that opportunity and sense of community that his hobby once had, even in my less than 2 years in the hobby there have been drastic changes!
Brie was able to build a complete set of playable secondary PCAs... it just took money and they was still an established "going rate" for those chips. Try to do that now and it's not going to happen.
Several conversations including "I am no longer selling any leaded THCs no matter what" have occurred. Look at all the intrest in those card mold ceramic chips. These people are settling for chips that many here would never even consider.
I understand times change but some here I feel don't have that top tier disposable income and have to build their sets over time. How often do complete sets sit unsold for extended periods of time before splitting occurs and within a few days they are spoken for? I understand "If you want it then you have to make sacrifices..." but that is not how this hobby was established from my understanding.
Just today their is an auction for
HSI $5 chips. Didn't you just buy those? Want to flip them and make a profit ok but do you really need to try and get the absolute max profit off a rack just because your internet connection was faster than the next guy and you beat them to the punch? Let me get a bidding war for the people that really need these chips and see what we can drive the market to instead of "hey I can make a little profit and help a fellow chipper in need!" This seller is a friend and has helped me out multiple times, but it is a fine example of how this hobby is evolving and not really in a good way in my opinion... whatever that is worth.
Those that made their wise investments in buying chips early on enjoyed them for years. People wonder how can Travis, David even Slisk sell these rare sets?? They had their time with them, their taste have changed towards customs and they have come to terms with accepting a large pay day for their years of investment. I don't blame any of you one little bit!! But it is removing the top tier for hopefull future chippers that have to build their way up to those levels.
Nothing we can do about it, we just go round and round but saying this is "beyond your comprehension" just seems odd unless you are only looking at this from a cashing out and moving on stand point and without regard for the next generation. I have really enjoyed your recent post basically explaining why you did it and that you are not just taking the money, you are reinvesting it into epic customs. Not that I felt you owed anyone those explanations but it was nice to hear.
Rather the Verteran chippers like it or not noobs like myself look up to you guys are try to follow examples and learn to navigate our on ways into this hobby. The spot light is always on you guys rather you want it or not. Newer members are watching everything and many times making their own actions and additudes off what they see. You are an educated man and I respect you! But is it really a mystery why some are trying to hang on to the way things used to be?
Just the thoughts of your back woods redneck buddy Ben, I would have sent this by PM but I thought maybe a couple people could find value in it shared as a post.
My friends Krish and Travis if either of you have a problem with this post or do not want this in your thread simply ask and I will happily remove it and insert a gif of a cute dog or something useful. I respect our friendships and did not intend to post this in anyway as a use of a pitchfork.
Fellow Chipper Ben
