CT does group buys all the time... there was a matsui GB just last year. unfortunately because they are so pricey, it's hard to get a group together in this economy.
if you are looking for tribute cheques, best contact ASM and they will make clay chips for you using a "similar" inlay. there may in fact already be a GB going on WSOP sets, there usually is every year.
Even BCC will still make you chips, but you need a BIG order before they will even consider it.
Now for a little chip Pron:
a set I designed for heat stamp:
Some old BCC's...