Used chip value (2 Viewers)

[Damo]

Fellow chippers
As a newcomer to chipping, something that keeps popping up as I rummage through the forums and classifieds is the value of chips, used ones in particular.
I assumed like most other industries that chips would reduce in value after time, once they've been used, but to my surprise this seems not to be the case. Are they exempt from depreciation?
I see many times where someone is selling a set and looking to recoup what they originally paid. Surely any second hand/previously loved commodity isn't worth the original new price. I'm not referring to the much sought after discontinued lines but more to the entry/mid price level chips. In many cases a set of chips is offered at a price similar to that of a brand new set, therefore removing any value for the buyer. Obviously not always the case but enough for me to notice.
Do chips hold their value?
Thanks

 

[roughrabbit]

Out with gold, boost your portfolio with chips

 

[roughrabbit]

For real though, not sure what your idea of low to mid price point chips are but you've got to think plastic / clay composite chips can handle a lot more abuse relative to clay chips. When someone is selling these kind of sets they're most likely selling them because two reasons: they didn't get played as much as they thought or bought a set and immediately wanted to upgrade. Therefore will be a lot closer to their original condition than something that you might find for retired casino.

 

[DrStrange]

Limited number chips aren't industrial goods, they are collectables. Chips don't have much of any wear and tear with home use.

E.g. I host a couple of hundred hours of poker a year. You likely can't see any sign of wear on the chips. A casino is running 24/7/365 - 60,000+ hours a year. With millions of people coming through the games. I see a few dozen people at my game in a year. The chips don't depreciate in value due to that.

Poker chip values fluctuate wildly based on supply and demand. There aren't that many buyers and sellers. One buyer can set the price for their desired chip rocketing upward. Be mindful that old and/or rare doesn't mean valuable. There was a time coin-in-center chips were highly regarded. Not so much today.

It is generally true that near-mint chips command a big premium over casino used chips. Depreciation isn't really a thing with collectables. The value increase from the chip being in better condition is pretty common with many collectables.

If the focus is on commercial chips - either bulk market chips or custom chips - There is often a sharp drop off in value the moment of purchase and then not much change after that. Buyers shouldn't hope to recoup their purchase price sometime in the future.

Do collectable chips hold their value? Who knows??? I have been around this hobby for twenty+ years. I have seen major variance in prices, both up and down. No reason to think the future will be different. I wouldn't think of my chip collection as a safe store of value, nor would I see it as an investment.

 

[bigblind]

Chips are to be used, do not treat them like a investment

 

[Tonysquander]

 

[GodStillBlesses]

Chips are to be used, do not treat them like a investment

 

[drdr]

Sharp edges versus worn until they are rounded like bike tyres. Yes wear has an effect on price. So does desirability and availability. At first it takes a while to see it, lots of following the classifieds. Took me a few months before it clicked.

 

[Damo]

Thanks for the feedback