DoubleBarrel
Pair
I’m a very new member here having just joined PCF several weeks ago, even though I have been an occasional “lurker” over the past few years. I typically don’t enjoy or participate in Forums or Social Media because I don’t like a lot of the negativity, flaming attacks, and trolls that seem to congregate there. Not so with PCF! I find PCF a very welcoming and civil place to hang out, and I’ve been enjoying it immensely. And as many of you already know, it is an addictive place.
My recent observations of poker chip prices are what inspired me to write this post. I bought my first “nice” set of poker chips in the late 1980’s. Then in about 2008 I purchased a 1500 chip set of spotted Paulsons. I think Paulsons were around $1.10 or $1.30 back then. I’ve always appreciated the beauty, buttery feel, and sound of nice clay chips.
Today’s prices are blowing my mind! Today I saw a post from a member that hasn’t been on the forum for six months and was shocked at how much prices had risen in this short period. I would like to know what the experienced collectors here think about today’s prices and the state of the hobby.
I understand the basic economic principles of maximizing profit, supply and demand, market price equilibrium, etc. However, I wonder about today’s super high prices? I know the marketplace will work all of this out over time.
A few questions come to mind when beautiful and coveted chips are selling for $7.50 to $17.50 per chip, or more; $4500. to $12,000. a set, or more. I think there have been a couple of sets offered for $27,000. in the past few weeks.
How many collectors here are actively going to be adding sets to their collections at these prices? 25, 100, 1000? Are the high end sets just going to be traded back and forth between the same very small number of collectors? Are people willing to felt a $15,000. set of chips, or are they just going to sit in a cabinet providing “joy of ownership”? Are people buying chips as an investment only hoping for higher returns (not just justifying their purchase calling it an "investment")?
My post is meant to start a conversation about the current state of the hobby. I know I will probably start building an awesome set at these high prices, but I'm curious what the PCF community is thinking. Please let me know your thoughts.
My recent observations of poker chip prices are what inspired me to write this post. I bought my first “nice” set of poker chips in the late 1980’s. Then in about 2008 I purchased a 1500 chip set of spotted Paulsons. I think Paulsons were around $1.10 or $1.30 back then. I’ve always appreciated the beauty, buttery feel, and sound of nice clay chips.
Today’s prices are blowing my mind! Today I saw a post from a member that hasn’t been on the forum for six months and was shocked at how much prices had risen in this short period. I would like to know what the experienced collectors here think about today’s prices and the state of the hobby.
I understand the basic economic principles of maximizing profit, supply and demand, market price equilibrium, etc. However, I wonder about today’s super high prices? I know the marketplace will work all of this out over time.
A few questions come to mind when beautiful and coveted chips are selling for $7.50 to $17.50 per chip, or more; $4500. to $12,000. a set, or more. I think there have been a couple of sets offered for $27,000. in the past few weeks.
How many collectors here are actively going to be adding sets to their collections at these prices? 25, 100, 1000? Are the high end sets just going to be traded back and forth between the same very small number of collectors? Are people willing to felt a $15,000. set of chips, or are they just going to sit in a cabinet providing “joy of ownership”? Are people buying chips as an investment only hoping for higher returns (not just justifying their purchase calling it an "investment")?
My post is meant to start a conversation about the current state of the hobby. I know I will probably start building an awesome set at these high prices, but I'm curious what the PCF community is thinking. Please let me know your thoughts.
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