I joined CT shortly after the Paulson Egyptian GB happened. I had a set stolen that took me down a path of trying to find the culprit but opened my eyes to various sites where I found deals that I picked up which allowed me to get some of the chips that I wanted. I spent a lot of time and energy searching because I thought the hobby was expensive then! Then later I tried to talk Greg out of the pay to play idea that was the beginning of the end there. After that I was one of those trying to convince everyone that CT and PCF could co-exist and was active on both while it was possible. TL/DR: I've been in this for a long time.
Things are just different. I am priced out of the hobby, not because I can't afford to buy chips at what they are going for now, but because I am not willing to pay for chips for what they are going for now. I am lucky and got a ton of chips back in the day that I really love and don't want to get rid of. This has lead me to a point where I'm content with my collection and my activity on the board has decreased significantly. I still enjoy looking at all the chips people post and am still planning to finish one or two sets I currently have in progress... possibly pick up one other, but this shit has gotten crazy. Not just the prices, but the people. Everyone has an opinion on everything and it seems that name calling is almost expected at this point.
It feels to me that everyone is this guy now:
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It used to be we were all just a bunch of dorks who liked to have 'real' chips. Now everyone is so busy measuring their dicks they've forgotten that this hobby is only really relevant to the 10K people in the world who have signed up to be members here (and honestly only probably a few hundred are really active).
Just my take, my voice hurts, but that cloud really knows who's boss now.
PS - Looking for racks of
RHC Washington state $5 chips.
***Edit*** ^^^ Says the guy that said he's not willing to pay todays prices.