And this seems like an opportune time for me to repost my apocryphal “Scene from the Chip Convention”:
Scene: Annual CGGTCCCGTC chip convention, at an “off-strip” casino.
Me: I’m interested in this (non-mint, dirty) New China Club $5. Can you do anything on price?
Old Fotzer: what price is it marked?
Me: $60.
OF: Let me see what the Chip Rack price is...
Me: *winces*
OF (After paging thru ChipRack for five minutes): It says here that in mint condition, this is a [meaningless code] rarity chip, worth $45-50.
Me: This chip is not mint.
OF: It almost stands on edge.
Me:
OF: But I’m offering convention pricing, discounting 20% off market price, so $40.
Me: *facepalm* You’re discounting off the top of the range listed in a book printed a year or so ago that isn’t based on any observable, quantifiable metrics but is basically subjective make-believe pricing that is the opinion of the guide’s author?
OF:
Me:
OF: Yes. This guide cost me $100.
Me:
OF: Make me an offer.
Me: Do you have more than one?
OF: No—that’s an incredibly rare chip, only a few dozen exist.
Me [who owns racks of them]: According to whom?
OF and me, in unison: The Chip Rack guide.
Me: *blinks*
Me: All due respect, and I don’t want to insult you, but I can offer you a price that is based on what this chip actually sells for in the real market, like
eBay or at Spinettis. Examples in better condition have sold for $5-12 recently. I’m not sure I can offer more than that, given those are actual market prices. I can offer $10.
OF: No.
Me: What is your best price?
OF: $38.
Me:
OF: But you don’t have to pay shipping.
Me:
Me: Have a good convention....
[Next booth, rinse and repeat.]
Later in the day...
OF [scowling and pointing at me to his wife; muttering]: That guy lowballs. Offered me $10 for this NCC $5.
OF’s Wife: But you have dozens of them, and you paid $25 for the whole lot! The house is FULL of boxes of chips! We don’t even have room for the grandkids!
OF: Hey buddy...I could do $35.
[/Scene]
