To Spare or not to Spare, that is the question. (5 Viewers)

[ValRannous]

OK, serious question. Let's say you have a set of chips you love. Over time, chips can get worn/damaged/lost. Now if it's a huge set you only use at home, that's probably not an issue. But, say it's a travel set with a case for 500 chips that you now only have 490 chips for. Or an 18xx set where you want a specific number of chips for to setup the starting bank size, and you're now short on 5's. Do you buy spares ahead of time to always be prepared?

Just from reading this board, I can tell chip companies come and go. Heck, molds come and go. The last thing I want is to suddenly need to buy a few add on chips to round out my favorite set, only to go "What do you mean, they don't make those anymore?"

 

[Tonystark137]

This is a fear I have... I think all chippers have... If it's cpc yeah I'll plan to get extras. For NAGB it be more difficult

 

[CraigT78]

I try to have spare chips for all of my sets.

 

[Bronson]

Extra barrel of each denom you’re having should sort you out well.

 

[Marius L]

OK, serious question. Let's say you have a set of chips you love. Over time, chips can get worn/damaged/lost. Now if it's a huge set you only use at home, that's probably not an issue. But, say it's a travel set with a case for 500 chips that you now only have 490 chips for. Or an 18xx set where you want a specific number of chips for to setup the starting bank size, and you're now short on 5's. Do you buy spares ahead of time to always be prepared?

Just from reading this board, I can tell chip companies come and go. Heck, molds come and go. The last thing I want is to suddenly need to buy a few add on chips to round out my favorite set, only to go "What do you mean, they don't make those anymore?"

Depends where you buy from and how available the chips are/will be going forward. If posible you can buy an extra of each denim just in case. That said, for many chip sets if you end up loosing one chip it's usually not very hard to buy an extra after the fact, as most available chips can be purchased from someone on this forum quite easily. Unless it's your own customs of course, in which case you should get some extras when initially buying the set.

 

[Goldfish]

Isn't this why we all buy sample sets?

 

[TheBigTater]

CPC usually includes a few extras in their orders but I always order 10-20 extras of each denom out of habit just in case whenever I get them from.

 

[cpiaaq]

I always buy spares if I can. Most of the denominations in my sets have 5-10 extras.

 

[Timmah]

Tina set I bought an extra 25 of each denomination. Paulson set I have 5-20 of each denomination. BR set I bought an extra 20. Chips are going to get damaged or lost over time. I had to track down a Paulson 25c chip a guest “accidentally” took home.

 

[MrRossKeys]

When do spares turn into an extra 20.... 100.... full set?

 

[grantc54]

When do spares turn into an extra 20.... 100.... full set?

That is why I try to limit spares to 5-10 chips, any more and it ends up as a barrel that is used and no longer spares, so more spares need to be purchased and the cycle continues.

 

[GreatWhiteDope]

I wish you had asked this question before I ordered my CPC set. About a month ago this occurred to me but it was too late to change the quantities. If I ever order another set, I will definitely do this.

 

[Tonysquander]

 

[dpeks13]

PCF taught me I should have at least 2 extra racks of $5s, "just in case"

 

[LeLe]

Nice to have spares but most of the time not required.

They dont get lost easily TBH

 

[Colquhoun]

PCF taught me I should have at least 2 extra racks of $5s, "just in case"

Aw hell...I have entire sets for "just in case".

 

[Bronson]

Wise words

 

[chipinla]

That is why I try to limit spares to 5-10 chips, any more and it ends up as a barrel that is used and no longer spares, so more spares need to be purchased and the cycle continues.

 

[chipinla]

If WHEN I ever order another set, I will definitely do this.

Fixed your post.

 

[Taghkanic]

I do this, too. For each denom in my cash set I have 1-20 “spares.” But I don’t keep them separate — the extras rotate in and out so that everything in theory gets worn evenly. #ocd #anal

 

[MeridianFC]

Spares, always.

 

[buffalojim]

I have no spares, but...

 

[allforcharity]

A few spares are good to have, but no need to get excessive. An extra 5-10 chips per denom is probably not going to break most banks.

 

[demonnic]

I went for a barrel extra of each, in part so I could give away a few sample sets and still have spares "just in case"

 

[GreatWhiteDope]

Just an FYI. My CPC chips arrived today and there were 7-12 extra of each denomination, a full rack in total. So that will be plenty unless you intend to be distributing sample sets.

 

[drdr]

Just an FYI. My CPC chips arrived today and there were 7-12 extra of each denomination, a full rack in total. So that will be plenty unless you intend to be distributing sample sets.

I did the same as you on my first order. I just didn't know. Yes, the extras provided helped. But I've since found some bubbled inlays or messy spots so switched some spares in. That left few good spares. One denom with no good spares.

Three months ago I ordered three new denoms to expand the set. Took that opportunity to order a few barrels of spares to top up the original order. Phew.

Someone, can't remember who, recommended ordering +10% chips. Initially I balked at the extra cost but long term I think it's the smart move. I did that for the new denoms, so shouldn't need to order spares again.

 

[drdr]

Just an FYI. My CPC chips arrived today and there were 7-12 extra of each denomination, a full rack in total. So that will be plenty unless you intend to be distributing sample sets.

Oh... Where pics? Link?

 

[Benjaminotaur]

Someone, can't remember who, recommended ordering +10% chips. Initially I balked at the extra cost but long term I think it's the smart move. I did that for the new denoms, so shouldn't need to order spares again.

The extra quantity depends on who I'm ordering from. If it's CPC, they do better quality control and their shipping methods are more secure. For them I'm not going to do a full 10% over unless I'm planning on samples. For BRpro, I'll tack on some extras because they don't always include extras like CPC, but nothing too crazy. With Tina chips I'll do a full 10% over at a minimum due to lack of quality control, color matching (especially with custom sets), and their shipping leaves most things to be desired. They're quality chips, but without padding in the shipping boxes, that slow boat from China can really take it's toll.

Bottom line, I always get extras in some quantity. Worst case scenario, I know I'll have bangers for shuffle stacks

 

[drdr]

The extra quantity depends on who I'm ordering from. If it's CPC, they do better quality control and their shipping methods are more secure. For them I'm not going to do a full 10% over unless I'm planning on samples. For BRpro, I'll tack on some extras because they don't always include extras like CPC, but nothing too crazy. With Tina chips I'll do a full 10% over at a minimum due to lack of quality control, color matching (especially with custom sets), and their shipping leaves most things to be desired. They're quality chips, but without padding in the shipping boxes, that slow boat from China can really take it's toll.

Bottom line, I always get extras in some quantity. Worst case scenario, I know I'll have bangers for shuffle stacks

That all makes sense, good advice. Maybe could be a new thread for newbs to sticky; ordering advice per vendor. Or something like that.

 

[GreatWhiteDope]

Oh... Where pics? Link?

Still washing them and will oil them tomorrow and then post the pics in the thread "I'M SO EXCITED..."