Sundance $1/$5/$25 (2 Viewers)

[chkmte]

I'm curious to hear from someone with more experience than myself. I see these colorful Sundance chips sell on eBay but the sales price seems rather inconsistent. Obviously, condition would dictate pricing to some degree, but from my observation, condition isn't often mentioned in the listing. Of course, when you factor in shipping - buying these individually (with the intention of building a playable set) becomes quite pricey.

That being said, it would seem finding these in a large quantity is rare. So, the question is...

If I were to find a large quantity (1000+) of these, should the price of the lot be more OR less than (1000+) individual chips being sold on eBay? What is the best way to determine the price of a large lot when you have no previous sales to reference?

Thanks,
~Tim

 

[Lemonzest]

Best place to start is Spinettis. I think around 2-3 bucks a chip is about right dependent on condition.

 

[chkmte]

Yeah, they've got (20) 5's for $69 I believe. So @Lemonzest , does that put the value of (1000) 5's at $3450? Higher or lower? How do you come to your conclusion?

 

[allforcharity]

From what I've seen here and peripherally, you should be able to get at least $3 a chip in rack or barrel quantities. Even the poor condition chips seem to get $2 per. Anytime I've seen them out in the wild, they've been snapped up very quickly.

 

[Lemonzest]

Yeah, they've got (20) 5's for $69 I believe. So @Lemonzest , does that put the value of (1000) 5's at $3450? Higher or lower? How do you come to your conclusion?

There is no firm way to valuate them. Its all approximate. Based on Spinettis and others I think 2-3 chip is ballpark accurate. Big lots maybe cheaper like 2 per.

 

[pharaohone]

I’ve been working on building a set of these for a while. They’re difficult to find in quantity, especially if you want chips that aren’t bicycle tires. When I last checked in with Spinettis it was $3 for well casino used $1s and $5s, $4 for $25s. For minty-ish $5s it was $4 and minty-ish $25s $5. As far as I know I bought all of the remaining minty $1s so there are only the bicycle tires left of those unfortunately.

The acquisition cost on eBay at per chip levels ends up being at or above the per chip spinetti amounts referenced above because of shipping expenses.

You can find deals with members and collectors who are willing to flip them to you at cost that may be cheaper than the above to help you out but it’s slim pickings.

Good luck. If you get sick of whatever you end up putting together and want to give them a new home, please think of me

 

[RocAFella1]

 

[pharaohone]

View attachment 227821

Such a beautiful family!

 

[AWenger]

This is a very foggy memory, and just FYI, I may be confusing this with another set, but recall a few years back someone trying to sell a set of the Sundance chips on Chiptalk (or maybe it was just after PCF came to be).

I seem to recall it was for a few racks, 400 or 600 (maybe more?), of mainly $1s, $5s, & maybe some $25s. I remember having some minor interest in them, and was following the ad. I recall, they weren't outrageously expensive (i.e. maybe around $2.50 a chip +/-). But what I recall was that the seller posted them for a few days, then responded something to the effect that it was a good price, seemed to be a little miffed that no one snap bought them, and then took down the ad after they didn't sell in the time he thought they should sell. (Again, I might be confusing this with another set).

I don't think I've seen other Sundance sets for sale since then, though.

If I were to find a large quantity (1000+) of these, should the price of the lot be more OR less than (1000+) individual chips being sold on eBay?

Less. The only time I think that a large lot or rack of chips would even have a chance for selling for more than individual chips is if they are very rare in very limited quantities and desirable chips (by a few limited buyers), like Mapes $1s, or Casablanca $1s, and probably more likely if there are several bidders in an auction format. A buyer might basically pay up for the time & effort it took to compile a whole rack or set. But I'm not sure any house mold chip would fall into that desirable category, even though these Sundance chips are amazing.

 

[AfterTheFact]

Once upon a time.....

Unfortunately I traded them long ago... All mint too

 

[chkmte]

Well, I took a gamble and this is what I received. Approximately (1300) Sundance chips that are dirty, worn and a little wobbly. I would liken them to most California Bell chips, fitting (21) per barrel. That being said, what a haul!

I'm preparing my Ultrasonic and stiff brush now and should have these cleaned up later today. However, I did notice some missing and cracked labels - so perhaps @Gear and I will work on a fresh re-label for the entire lot.

What do you think? I'm thinking of you @pharaohone .

 

[pharaohone]

Nice haul! Would be interested in adding to my collection, particularly if you’d consider cherry picking any that are in VGC (would pay up for those) but looks like mostly casino used? Would love to hear the story behind the score sometime! Congrats

 

[chkmte]

Nice haul! Would be interested in adding to my collection, particularly if you’d consider cherry picking any that are in VGC (would pay up for those) but looks like mostly casino used? Would love to hear the story behind the score sometime! Congrats

Yeah, not sure there are any in VGC but I'll keep my eyes open. The story behind the score - I made a timely connection with an individual that's been in the gaming industry a long time and just happens to be ready to clear out a 40 year-old collection.

 

[kmccormick100]

Nice pickup! I’d guess those bicycle tire $1s are worth maybe $1.5-2, ~$2ish for the $5s and maybe ~$3ish for the $25s

 

[chkmte]

Nice pickup! I’d guess those bicycle tire $1s are worth maybe $1.5-2, ~$2ish for the $5s and maybe ~$3ish for the $25s

Yeah, I think that's fairly accurate based on all the feedback and research I've recently done. I think if they were in better condition I'd be looking at a much bigger score.

 

[v1pe]

Cool looking set!

 

[Lemonzest]

These are awesome. Even in worn condition a fantastic set.

 

[CacheCreekCollector]

Wow @chkmte that is one helluva score. Be sure to post some pics when you get 'em in play.

 

[ADS Aviator]

Big fan of these Sundance chips. Great score for sure. Congrats!! Now you just need to give them an little ultrasonic bath.

 

[allforcharity]

OMG this is an amazing find!

 

[AfterTheFact]

Nice score man!

 

[ovo]

wow, I like bicycle tires

 

[markleteenie]

Following! Great score!!!!

 

[David O]

Nice score. If you ever decide to give up a couple of racks (or three) of $1's let me know.

 

[chkmte]

Nice score. If you ever decide to give up a couple of racks (or three) of $1's let me know.

...said everyone.

 

[Lemonzest]

cleaning these would be fun. probably gonna come out amazing!

 

[chkmte]

cleaning these would be fun. probably gonna come out amazing!

I'm not sure I'd use the word "fun". Many of the labels appear to be 'lifting' and even cracked. I've started cleaning and peeling off those naughty labels. However, to completely remove the inlay (label, paper, sticky) takes about 10 minutes per chip.

Let's see... 1300 chips multiplied by 10 minutes each equals... oh my. But, you're right. When this restoration project is completed, it will be quite a display.

 

[Lemonzest]

I'm not sure I'd use the word "fun". Many of the labels appear to be 'lifting' and even cracked. I've started cleaning and peeling off those naughty labels. However, to completely remove the inlay (label, paper, sticky) takes about 10 minutes per chip.

Let's see... 1300 chips multiplied by 10 minutes each equals... oh my. But, you're right. When this restoration project is completed, it will be quite a display.

I hear you. dealing with broken inlays doesnt sound fun. I was just thinking before/after the ultrasonic will be a huge improvement.

 

[David O]

...said everyone.

Probably too worn but could be a good one for my games.

 

[chkmte]

Just a quick update. Cleaning each chip and removing each label has required about 10+ minutes per chip. Yikes! But, here is where we're at so far. @Gear just sent me some samples of a fresh label. What do y'all think of the before and after? Any significant changes I should adopt regarding the label?