I make it a habit to search craigslist and offerup many times a day. Sometimes I come across some really cool items. When I'm really lucky I come across some chips. About a week ago I was making my usual search and because I live in Portland, Or. I often search Salem, Or. By pure dumb luck I ended up with Salem, MA. Down the page I found an interesting ad that said 3000 Vintage Clay Chips asking $75 OBO or trade for video games. It had also been listed for over a month. It had the following picture.
I blew up the picture on my computer to try to see what kind of chips they are. I thought maybe I could make out a couple top hat and cane markings but wasnt really sure. I contacted the seller to find out if they were available. The seller responded by letting me know there just over 1500 chips left. I asked the seller if by chance they would be willing to ship the chips. The seller told me it would be really expensive as they were heavy. I mentioned the post office had free flat rate boxes and newspaper would be a good packing material. The seller seemed to really like that idea. I offered full asking price for only half plus I would add $30 for shipping making a total of $115 delivered for 1500 unknown chips. I calculated that 1500 of any chip would at least get me close to my money back. As soon as I sent paypement the seller shipped within a day and sent me the tracking number.
I received the chips 2 days later and to my complete relief the chips were in fact paulson chips. They are very dirty. All stand on edge but show clear use. One side has initials and the orange ones are hotstamped .50 cents, the blue ones are stamped 1.00 and the black ones are stamped 5.00. I received 700 blue, 700 orange and 100 black. I told the seller I was extremely grateful and appreciated everything and the seller was equally as happy for the business.
HERES WHERE THE STORY GETS SORT OF FUNNY!......For an entire day after receiving the chips I couldnt stop thinking of the other 1500 that some lucky guy grabbed for $35. The more I thought about it the more crazy my thinking became. It had struck as so bizzare the other buyer would only buy half. Who would buy only half? It occurred to me the buyer was just someone who wanted a big batch of cheap chips. They probably have no attachment to the chips. I contacted the seller with the following:
ME: "Just got chips. Way better than I expected. Way better. You should hit up the guy who bought the other half. Tell him you'll give him 100 bucks. I'd pay as high as 240 for the other ones. If they're long gone I understand. Again my sincerest appreciation for you helping me. I am very happy with my purchase."
SELLER: I called him and left a message I think he works nights. How was the packing job?
SELLER: So I got a hold of him. He bought 1500 for $40. Said he would sell back to me for $100. That way he could just buy brand new chips. If you are interested in the others let me know. Sure we can work something out. 750 blue and 750 orange. No black.
ME: 240 delivered ok?
I paid the seller on Sunday and they were in the mail today with scheduled delivery wednesday. All I can say is the story of how I got the other 1500 is pretty crazy and almost unbelievable.
Also I took some pictures and once cleaned and oiled the blue and orange absolutely pop. I have always had red or grey starburst. To see paulsons in such brilliant colors was refreshing. Also the seller was a very honest and nice guy to work with.
Here is the link to the original ad. Would have been amazing if I'd have lived close and paid 2.5 cents. Still insane that this sat there for over a month.
https://offerupnow.com/item/detail/55280972/vintage-clay-poker-chips
I blew up the picture on my computer to try to see what kind of chips they are. I thought maybe I could make out a couple top hat and cane markings but wasnt really sure. I contacted the seller to find out if they were available. The seller responded by letting me know there just over 1500 chips left. I asked the seller if by chance they would be willing to ship the chips. The seller told me it would be really expensive as they were heavy. I mentioned the post office had free flat rate boxes and newspaper would be a good packing material. The seller seemed to really like that idea. I offered full asking price for only half plus I would add $30 for shipping making a total of $115 delivered for 1500 unknown chips. I calculated that 1500 of any chip would at least get me close to my money back. As soon as I sent paypement the seller shipped within a day and sent me the tracking number.
I received the chips 2 days later and to my complete relief the chips were in fact paulson chips. They are very dirty. All stand on edge but show clear use. One side has initials and the orange ones are hotstamped .50 cents, the blue ones are stamped 1.00 and the black ones are stamped 5.00. I received 700 blue, 700 orange and 100 black. I told the seller I was extremely grateful and appreciated everything and the seller was equally as happy for the business.
HERES WHERE THE STORY GETS SORT OF FUNNY!......For an entire day after receiving the chips I couldnt stop thinking of the other 1500 that some lucky guy grabbed for $35. The more I thought about it the more crazy my thinking became. It had struck as so bizzare the other buyer would only buy half. Who would buy only half? It occurred to me the buyer was just someone who wanted a big batch of cheap chips. They probably have no attachment to the chips. I contacted the seller with the following:
ME: "Just got chips. Way better than I expected. Way better. You should hit up the guy who bought the other half. Tell him you'll give him 100 bucks. I'd pay as high as 240 for the other ones. If they're long gone I understand. Again my sincerest appreciation for you helping me. I am very happy with my purchase."
SELLER: I called him and left a message I think he works nights. How was the packing job?
SELLER: So I got a hold of him. He bought 1500 for $40. Said he would sell back to me for $100. That way he could just buy brand new chips. If you are interested in the others let me know. Sure we can work something out. 750 blue and 750 orange. No black.
ME: 240 delivered ok?
I paid the seller on Sunday and they were in the mail today with scheduled delivery wednesday. All I can say is the story of how I got the other 1500 is pretty crazy and almost unbelievable.
Also I took some pictures and once cleaned and oiled the blue and orange absolutely pop. I have always had red or grey starburst. To see paulsons in such brilliant colors was refreshing. Also the seller was a very honest and nice guy to work with.
Here is the link to the original ad. Would have been amazing if I'd have lived close and paid 2.5 cents. Still insane that this sat there for over a month.
https://offerupnow.com/item/detail/55280972/vintage-clay-poker-chips
Last edited:
