DEVASTATION :: 180 CPC Customs Destroyed - What NOT To Do (1 Viewer)

[justsomedude]

So... I write this thread with a very heavy heart. First, I didn't even know if I wanted to post this, since these chips are basically brand new, and I am incredibly embarrassed and still very upset, but I destroyed 180 of my custom SDPM quarters (80) and nickels (100) yesterday. I hope this thread will also stand as a warning to other CPC owners who live in areas with a hot and sunny climate.

Long story short, I was counting/sorting my Stardust chips on my girlfriend's patio Sunday night. It was a nice night, so I decided to grab a beer and head outside to get everything organized after my cash game Saturday. I was mostly finished, having gotten the majority of $1s and $5s put into birdcages, and then took them inside. One thing led to another, we made dinner, I got busy editing photos, and forgot about the chips I left outside on the table (it's one of those plastic-y/glass top round patio tables).

I came home from work Monday evening to find the chips sitting in the sun on the table I was using last night, mishaped, warped, and bulging out of the racks they were in (likely due to the severe expansion they experienced). They were hot to the touch, and completely stuck together. I think the daytime high yesterday was 98 degrees F or so. The table is partly in the shade, but is in direct sunlight from 1pm until about 6pm. I got there around 5:30pm. What's odd is, the two racks of $1 Stardust Paulsons I also left out, are just fine.

(n) :thumbsdown:

Anyway. There's about $400 (with shipping) down the tubes. It's not the money (hell, I've dropped more in a night at the poker room)... I'm really pissed, hurt, and just mad at myself that I let this happen.

So forgive me if I drop off the map for a while. This has really just bummed me out on chipping for the near term - and potentially the long term. I'll finish up the group buys I'm in involved with and I still look forward to the Rumble this week, I'm just re-evaluating priorities after this fiasco.

And may this be a warning to other CPC owners in hot/warm parts of the country! Do NOT let your chips sit out in the sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS: I'll post pics of this hot mess, no pun intended, later this evening. I just needed to get this off my chest.

Peace.

-Andrew
JustSomeDude

 

[mummel]

Andrew sorry guy. Just sleep on it. Give it a week. There is light at the end of the tunnel, always.

 

[BGinGA]

Same warning applies to chips left near an inside window, or in a hot car. Heat + chips = disaster.

Sorry about your loss, jsd,

 

[jbutler]

I know it doesn't seem like it now, but one day when you think about those chips, it will bring a smile to your face instead of a tear to your eye.

BTW you're not alone. A member who will remain nameless so as to spare him the shame left a case of 400 or so in the trunk of his car. Same result

 

[detroitdad]

@ChaosRock saved me from leaving my sunsets in the car at the Windy City Meet up. I forgot about them (900 of them) when Paulo suggested I take them into the hotel room.

Thank you bud, I owe you a beer.

@justsomedude , my condolences go out to you. I would be crushed if I did something like this.

B

 

[links_slayer]

Sorry to read this.

FWIW, it's not just CPC chips that we need to worry about. I'd avoid keeping ANY chips in hot temps (direct sunlight or otherwise) for an extended period of time.

 

[justsomedude]

Can we make this a sticky? Or maybe create a "BASIC CHIP CARE/WARNING" post here or in Maintenance specifically about heat/sun?

I know most people don't read that stuff - and it probably wouldn't have saved me - but if it helps just one future chipper avoid a melty mess, I'd feel a little better. Sometimes you need to be the bad example... and I'm happy to do that to help others avoid making the same mistake.

 

[DJ Mack]

Sorry to hear! I made a similar mistake once when I was just getting into starting my own seeds for the garden. I had my first batch of about 40 tomato plants yearning for sunlight. It was a cool day (lower 50s) with a light breeze so I didn't want to put them out uncovered. So I kept their plastic dome covers on and opened the vents figuring they'd be fine. It also didn't occur to me that the trays were black. Five hours later I remembered them and went out to find every one dead, the soil completely rock hard and not a trace of water inside the dome. Those were my babies! I'd started them from seed three weeks earlier! Oh I was so upset.

The next day I repeated the experiment with a remote thermometer in there. I rewetted all the pots to about where they were before. The first 30 minutes was OK, then it hit 100 and the humidity started rising. By hour two it was close to 130 with an 80% humidity level. By hour three the temp climbed to just under 140 but the humidity dropped to 50%. By hour four the temperature was at 160 with humidity down in the teens.

As the owner of some CPCs I do worry a bit about ideal storage conditions. My closet can get up in the upper 80s if I keep the door closed since it backs up to the garage. What about the basement? Too damp?

 

[ChaosRock]

Sorry Andrew... I sucks to no end mate... But as Butler said, one day you'll laugh about it, although right now, laughing is the last thing you wanna do...

I've been there somewhat... I ruined a couple of racks of this rare Casino ASMs with TSP...

Hang in there brother! If I can help you in any way getting replacements, just let me know...

See you in a couple of days...

 

[David O]

Noooo. @justsomedude. Don't drop off the map! Keep your head up. Worse things can happen and as you said you have lost more in poker. Chalk it up as an experience and chip on. Anyway if you drop for a bit we will miss your "blue eyes"!!!

I will definitely buy you a beer or drink this weekend.

I am not sure if you have ever read my two rules in life that I live by.
Rule #1 Don't sweat the small stuff.


Rule #2. In the grand scheme of things, it's all small stuff.

 

[TheChipRoom]

Another warning. Heat and definitely sunlight destroys clay chips. Also, some chips do not respond to cleaning very well. ASM chips are much softer than Paulson chips. If you try and clean them, DO NOT soak them. They turn to mush. Trust me on this one. I have lost several thousand chips in that "experiment".

 

[links_slayer]

Rule #1 Don't sweat the small stuff.

Rule #2. In the grand scheme of things, it's all small stuff.

 

[David O]

Another warning. Heat and definitely sunlight destroys clay chips. Also, some chips do not respond to cleaning very well. ASM chips are much softer than Paulson chips. If you try and clean them, DO NOT soak them. They turn to mush. Trust me on this one. I have lost several thousand chips in that "experiment".

Jim????
Great to see you!

 

[Ellasdaddy]

Really sorry this happened to you. Happens to the best of us though.

I once took great care in seasoning a new humidor over the course of a week and was so satisfied to fill the top rack with my latest Nat Sherman cigar purchase... only to forget that the new glass top should not be left in the same spot on my desk as the old humidor was in, near a window letting direct sunlight in.

A week of neglect, thinking all was just peachy, led to me discovering dried, brittle, partly unwrapped cigars. Horrible feeling. I still cringe.

 

[manamongkids]

Another warning. Heat and definitely sunlight destroys clay chips. Also, some chips do not respond to cleaning very well. ASM chips are much softer than Paulson chips. If you try and clean them, DO NOT soak them. They turn to mush. Trust me on this one. I have lost several thousand chips in that "experiment".

Hes alive! Jims alive!

 

[David O]

Really sorry this happened to you. Happens to the best of us though.

I once took great care in seasoning a new humidor over the course of a week and was so satisfied to fill the top rack with my latest Nat Sherman cigar purchase... only to forget that the new glass top should not be left in the same spot on my desk as the old humidor was in, near a window letting direct sunlight in.

A week of neglect, thinking all was just peachy, led to me discovering dried, brittle, partly unwrapped cigars. Horrible feeling. I still cringe.

I had that happen to some Cubans and some Arturo Fuentes one time. Of course that was when I used to smoke.

 

[TheChipRoom]

Jim????
Great to see you!

It's me...lurking from time to time

 

[David O]

I had that happen to some Cubans and some Arturo Fuentes one time. Of course that was when I used to smoke.

I forgot the Davidoffs!!

Bad weekend but oh well!

 

[David O]

It's me...lurking from time to time

Well as I said it is great to see you. Hope you lurk more often!

Hope to see more of you!

 

[Hot Nuts]

I don't know what would be worse for me, losing chips or sticks. Tough call.

 

[Psypher1000]

Heat + chips = disaster.

Truth. I've had numerous CPC chips warped in the mailbox while waiting for me to get home from work - some of which were shipped directly from CPC. It's at the point now where anytime I'm getting CPC chips that I'm particularly interested in keeping pristine I just have them sent to my work address.

Paulsons aren't nearly so susceptible to the raw heat of a metal mailbox, although they'll still warp. You put them in direct sunlight for too long, though, and not only is there a risk of warping but color fading as well (not sure if that's true with CPC's also). I've seen many a chip left near windows where the up-side was significantly faded.

Protect dem chippies!

 

[atomiktoaster]

I get worried about chips in my mailbox this time of year. Hopefully the brick pedestal keeps things a bit cooler than having sun directly on the steel...

 

[links_slayer]

I get worried about chips in my mailbox this time of year.

I hear ya!!! I came home to 3 MFRB's on my porch yesterday. Thankfully it wasn't *too* hot, it's covered, and faces north so isn't subjected to the beating rays.

 

[72o]

Shit sorry man! Give it a couple of days and get right back on that (chipping) horse.
I worry(ed) about all kinds of things but now I keep this book handy at work. It's all about perspective, my friend.

 

[mummel]

Sounds like CPCs are really heat sensitive.

 

[David O]

Shit sorry man! Give it a couple of days and get right back on that (chipping) horse.
I worry(ed) about all kinds of things but now I keep this book handy at work. It's all about perspective, my friend.

View attachment 50779

You are correct. I cannot remember when that was written but I have lived by those words for many years!

 

[Mr Tree]

Truth. I've had numerous CPC chips warped in the mailbox while waiting for me to get home from work - some of which were shipped directly from CPC. It's at the point now where anytime I'm getting CPC chips that I'm particularly interested in keeping pristine I just have them sent to my work address.

Paulsons aren't nearly so susceptible to the raw heat of a metal mailbox, although they'll still warp. You put them in direct sunlight for too long, though, and not only is there a risk of warping but color fading as well (not sure if that's true with CPC's also). I've seen many a chip left near windows where the up-side was significantly faded.

Protect dem chippies!

I have all deliveries made to my office so there is no chance of a box sitting on a hot ledge for hours

 

[justsomedude]

Sounds like CPCs are really heat sensitive.

Indeed.

The CPCs are indeed very heat sensitive. And not that it's a "good" thing, or that I'm comfortable with it, but the SDPM Paulsons left out for the same time frame are literally 100% AOK, and still stack perfectly. But they were also the whites, which may have helped save them from disaster.

 

[Psypher1000]

the SDPM Paulsons left out for the same time frame are literally 100% AOK, and still stack perfectly. But they were also the whites, which may have helped save them from disaster.

I've had multiple black Paulson chips in the mailbox w/o issue (not that I'm advocating risking it). Paulsons in general seem to have a much higher heat tolerance.

 

[DJ Mack]

I have all deliveries made to my office so there is no chance of a box sitting on a hot ledge for hours

I think this is also one reason why CPC requires an adult signature for most orders. If they can't get a signature they're not going to leave it out. That's another advantage to having deliveries made at work - there's going to be someone to sign for it. Unfortunately for me this doesn't work well since I live 20+ miles from my office and work on the road a lot.

Then there's the issue of my company prohibiting the practice after someone claimed the mailroom stole his Amazon package. Turns out he'd had it shipped to an old residential address but he was so nasty in accusing the mailroom that they decided enough of the hassle. They claimed that operational efficiency was hampered by handling non-business related mail but we all know it was the one loudmouthed asshat that got the ball rolling.