I too think this is a good question (not sure either how the reselling derailment took hold in this thread?), but more from a "proof of concept" point of view. Practically, it makes little sense, unless you are a vet who wants to start fresh with a new avatar.
Because chipping efficiency is highest when starting out at zero, and good returns aren't as likely (on a consistent basis) with low skills in whichever profession you toil, the thread starter is onto something here, especially for those starting at low skill levels.
Of course it all depends on the price of the skill chip you wish to buy, and also touches upon bigger issues as to why you play in the first place. Specifically dealing with ones outlook on gaining skills... is it through the enjoyment of blasting/clicking (positive) or via the tedium of grinding (negative).
If one knew starting out (most unlikely) what profession they wanted to pursue, and also knew that they wanted to play the game long term before really "getting into" it (also quite unlikely) then this might be a good plan. Buy all related chips to level 2000 (general skills as well), and then start playing. You'd save a ton of time for sure, but the by-product would be that you'd be rather daft at knowing what to do (which likely would offset any PED saved via chipping. As at some point you need to learn how to play smart to conserve PED, and you can't purchase that info from a chip).
Though doubtful, I wonder if this idea had any bearing on
MA making L guns (for instance) with such high skill stats for new players. If L guns were harder to use, perhaps plenty of new players would go down this path and just buy the combat skills instead of gaining them in the way
MA intended, thus denying
MA its decay and ammo revenue that it uses exclusively to fill the loot pool! LOL
The counter argument here would be that soon chip prices would rise above the cost to make this practical. Not to mention that
MA would greatly enjoy the tidy little sums of PED it accrues in skill levels being lost into the ether when one chips out.
Personally, I wish
MA had staggered the skills required to use particular weapons (both L and non L) like they do with the (L) faps, and the new (L) mining finders. It would make the market more vibrant, and players would have different niches depending on their level. But that is getting off topic itself, so I'll leave you here
