PCGS submission form disclaimer and the assumption of free grading if they miss a deadline.

DHeath · September 7, 2003 1:18PM

After reading all the posts regarding PCGS's turn-around guaranty, I decided to go read the guaranty. Here's what it says, "PCGS will endeavor to grade coins within the time frame, if any, offered as part of a PCGS grading service. However, PCGS will have no liability whatsoever to the customer for incidental or consequential damages due to PCGS's failure to grade any coin within any time frame. All days are business days." This is in conflict with the "guaranteed turn-around" times published on their website.

Below is the verbage from the submissions center on this site -

Turnaround Times
PCGS's turnaround guarantee assures you that PCGS will have grades available in the number of business days specified. For example, for Walkthrough (2 day), Special Express (7 day), Regular (15 day), PCGS will have grades available the following number of days after the day we receive your order. The number of days it takes for the delivery agency (U.S. Registered Mail) to return graded coins to the submitter is not included in the number of days allotted to PCGS's turnaround guarantee. Note: Available services and turnaround times are subject to change.
Guaranteed turnaround times are invalid during the weeks of major coins shows PCGS attends.

I hope someone on staff will post what the guarantee means for a submitter. What is the normal compensation for missed deadlines? What exactly is being guaranteed in the Turnaround Times paragraph?

braddick · September 7, 2003 1:24PM

Now I've got a headache.

tradedollarnut · September 7, 2003 1:24PM

There goes Frattlaw's class action lawsuit.

Placid · September 7, 2003 1:29PM

"However, PCGS will have no liability whatsoever to the customer for incidental or consequential damages due to PCGS's failure to grade any coin within any time frame".

I think that means if you buy a coin on eBay and have say a 15 day return option so you sent the coin to pcgs walkthrough 2 day and ship it to pcgs overnight if they bb the coin for being a fake but don't grade it until day 15 so you missed your return option you can't tell pcgs they owe you money.

DHeath · September 7, 2003 1:35PM

Placid,

I agree. I just don't see anywhere in any literature I have what PCGS agrees to do if they miss a deadline. They guaranty x days. They just don't say what action they'll take if they don't meet that guaranty. That's what I was asking for clarification on. Lately there have been lots of posts saying submitters are expecting certificates for free grading based on PCGS missing their deadlines. I'm just trying to find a reference to what PCGS really guarantees if they miss.

Placid · September 7, 2003 1:54PM

You can ask in the q&a section but I doubt Mr. Hall knows and will tell you to call customer service.
I doubt anyone from pcgs will respond to this thread

I have never read anywhere offical that says what the compensation for missing the grading time guarantee is but it seems that people get free grading certificates if they complain enough.

tradedollarnut · September 7, 2003 2:53PM

Steve · September 8, 2003 12:19AM

PCGS has always tried to be customer friendly. Individuals at PCGS set rules, but they are often not coordinated. The legal guys put what is on the back of the submission form and that is probably what rules. The things on the web site are marketing which may or may not stand up in a court of law but are being used in some instances. The customer always wants to get every perk he can so by complaining either directly or on this board the customer is able to vent and get some satisfaction. Believe me, PCGS will NOT let the flood gates of free comps open too wide. They'd be out of business real quick. JMHO. Steve

redcents · September 8, 2003 1:35AM

3 links you may or may not find interesting:

link 1 link 2 link 3

DHeath · September 8, 2003 1:48AM

Thanks Redcents,

Actually, the second link was to one of my posts back in Feb.

I was just hoping to learn what the guaranty means. It hasn't been an issue for me, but with the backlog in grading I thought it would be interesting to see whether the guaranty had ever been explained.

geb209 · September 8, 2003 1:54AM

I dont think PCGS is agreeing to give you anything (nor do they have to for that matter). PCGS gives comps as a means of avoiding litigation.

mgoodm3 · September 8, 2003 2:38AM

Sounds like the 15 day guarantee is not a guarantee at all. They will try to get it done in 15 working days, but if it doesn't, oh well. It's kinda like 2-3 day priority mail.

PCGS submission form disclaimer and the assumption of free grading if they miss a deadline.

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