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New Forum Rules
SportsModerator
Posts: 1,624 mod
As the original thread had become somewhat polluted overnight, the original main body authored by HRH has been copied below.
We just had a one hour management meeting in which we discussed whether to continue to have a PCGS message board. We have had a lot of complaints from our collectors and dealers, both of whom buy and sell PCGS graded coins, about allowing PCGS bashing on our boards. And we also don't like the bashing...especially since it is often anonymous, meanspirited, and just flat out lies. Our choices were to close the boards down...or to moderate the boards more tightly.
Several of us, including yours truly, were in favor of just shutting down the boards. They are a cost of money and time to maintain and frankly, they don't seem to generate any significant revenue. On the other hand, we see our job as helping collectors and dealers with coin grading (PCGS), transaction opportunities (CCE Collectors Corner), and essential information (PCGS price guide and Pop Report.) The message boards, when they are dedicated to sharing information about coins and the coin market, are a source of useful information for our community of PCGS collectors and PCGS dealers.
So for now, we have decided to leave the message boards up...with a few changes...
First...three rules...
1. The PCGS message board is for talking about and sharing information about coins, including info about the market and collecting and collectors. If you want to talk about sports, politics, or other non-numismatic topics, please go somewhere else.
2. No profanity...there are young numismatists that are on our boards. If you can't watch your language, you will be banned from the boards.
3. No PCGS bashing of any kind. If you want to rag on us, go somewhere else. If you have a customer service problem, call customer service. If you have a suggestion, email PCGS President Ron Guth. Any threads that bash PCGS in any way will be deleted and anyone who bashes PCGS will be banned from furhter use of our message boards...and no warning will be given.
Second...were looking for moderators to help us keep this message board open. We are asking our board members to nominate people they feel they would trust to do a good job as a PCGS message board moderator. Please PM Carol J if you have any nominations.
We hope we can continue to provide the PCGS message boards as a place for collectors and dealers to meet and exchange useful numismatic information...but frankly...it's up to you.
David Hall
We just had a one hour management meeting in which we discussed whether to continue to have a PCGS message board. We have had a lot of complaints from our collectors and dealers, both of whom buy and sell PCGS graded coins, about allowing PCGS bashing on our boards. And we also don't like the bashing...especially since it is often anonymous, meanspirited, and just flat out lies. Our choices were to close the boards down...or to moderate the boards more tightly.
Several of us, including yours truly, were in favor of just shutting down the boards. They are a cost of money and time to maintain and frankly, they don't seem to generate any significant revenue. On the other hand, we see our job as helping collectors and dealers with coin grading (PCGS), transaction opportunities (CCE Collectors Corner), and essential information (PCGS price guide and Pop Report.) The message boards, when they are dedicated to sharing information about coins and the coin market, are a source of useful information for our community of PCGS collectors and PCGS dealers.
So for now, we have decided to leave the message boards up...with a few changes...
First...three rules...
1. The PCGS message board is for talking about and sharing information about coins, including info about the market and collecting and collectors. If you want to talk about sports, politics, or other non-numismatic topics, please go somewhere else.
2. No profanity...there are young numismatists that are on our boards. If you can't watch your language, you will be banned from the boards.
3. No PCGS bashing of any kind. If you want to rag on us, go somewhere else. If you have a customer service problem, call customer service. If you have a suggestion, email PCGS President Ron Guth. Any threads that bash PCGS in any way will be deleted and anyone who bashes PCGS will be banned from furhter use of our message boards...and no warning will be given.
Second...were looking for moderators to help us keep this message board open. We are asking our board members to nominate people they feel they would trust to do a good job as a PCGS message board moderator. Please PM Carol J if you have any nominations.
We hope we can continue to provide the PCGS message boards as a place for collectors and dealers to meet and exchange useful numismatic information...but frankly...it's up to you.
David Hall
Forum AdministratorPSA & PSA/DNA ForumModerator@collectors.com | p 800.325.1121 | PSAcard.com
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Comments
Good Luck & Good Day!
BST successful dealings with:MsMorrisine, goldman86
Jerry
<< <i>A couple members with hangovers will have SM1 to thank for saving their back-sides.
Phooey, I knew I missed some good stuff!!
edited for spelling: Cold in here.
For my part I can say that:
1) Without the boards, I would not be familiar with the company named PCGS.
Being European (Finland), slabs are pretty much unheard of in my collecting community. I stumbled onto the boards while doing Google searches. It would never have crossed my mind to go to www.pcgs.com to find the site. While I realize the situation in the US may be different due to higher exposure through other channels, I would expect numerous others to have gone through the same process and have become PCGS customers as a result. Not everyone lives in cities with PCGS dealers, goes to coin shows, etc..
2) I have never submitted a coin to PCGS, but were they to establish a European office, I’d probably be doing so (I’m a bit nervous about sending coins across the Atlantic as the risk of lost packages is not negligible in my experience). I’m not so interested in grades, but very interested in ensuring authenticity and appropriate storage. Again, this would not happen without the boards, as I wouldn’t have heard of the company in the first place.
In conclusion, if the cost of running the boards (e.g. by outsourcing part of the moderation workload to members) can be managed, and potentially damaging content be limited though appropriate rules+procedures, the boards should be a net earner by
1) Serving as a new customers magnet through extensive exposure in Internet search engines. This is the main benefit in my opinion. The impact is hard to quantify, but search engines are a powerful marketing tool these days, and the effect is hard to replicate in other ways due to the diversity of search terms
2) Encouraging current customers to keep on collecting and submitting (grading success stories resulting in “you sucks”, some members may be so excited about sharing on the boards that this has become their main reason for being active in the hobby in the first place, etc..). The boards give tempo/urgency to the hobby, encouraging and increasing submission frequency among members. To stimulate discussions about your grades, you first need to submit coins... Without an available forum for discussion, the incentive to submit may be greatly diminished.
3) Reducing customer service workload (questions answered on the boards). A smaller benefit, but one that flows directly to the bottom line
Doing a business case on this should be straightforward and turn out favorably, IMO.
You're doing a heckuva job, and I vow to continue my unblemished record of never swearing in your presence.
<< <i>Thanks for getting up early Sportsmoderator. Cleaning up so promptly may have saved the forum >>
Absolutely, without a doubt.
Thank you for continuing to support the forums!
Eric
<< <i>I wish the rules included no calling other members idiots. This is not about you michigan , but another member who I shall not name. >>
From the Northwest??
<< <i>
<< <i>I demand that my poignant and witty post be reinstated on this thread. >>
I'd be happy to if it was either witty, or poignant
Well get yer butt into the review room and retrieve it, Schmo.
08/16/06
"Very interesting. Public or member, on-line forums are a quirky lot. With the best of ideals and intentions, forums often get destroyed. It occurs when some butthead decides he/she has to be some kind of instigator or judge. The bashing turns into outright verbal fighting and soon the forum can not maintain it's purpose, it just becomes a venue for very poor behavior and most hosts won't go through the expense and time it takes to provide a forum under those circumstances. It takes considerable monitoring and management to maintain a good forum and when the forum is hijacked by evildoers...the host must pull the plug. I've seen it before and it is a terrible thing to happen to the relationships and friendships that develop...they just go poof into cyberspace. The nice thing about this forum is that it is well monitored and trolls don't survive long here and that's a good thing."
Having witnessed the destruction of other forums where I have been a member, it is obvious that people with issues need to be with other people that have issues...somewhere else.
Good job!
<< <i>Several of us, including yours truly, were in favor of just shutting down the boards. They are a cost of money and time to maintain and frankly, they don't seem to generate any significant revenue. On the other hand, we see our job as helping collectors and dealers with coin grading (PCGS), transaction opportunities (CCE Collectors Corner), and essential information (PCGS price guide and Pop Report.) The message boards, when they are dedicated to sharing information about coins and the coin market, are a source of useful information for our community of PCGS collectors and PCGS dealers.
David Hall >>
Speaking only for myself, there's no way I would have paid for a PCGS Collectors Club membership (actually, three of them now) without first hanging around these boards. Reading and learning about what other collectors were doing got me to greatly expand my own collecting interests, and many coins in those new interests found their way into PCGS holders. Granted, I doubt the money I've spent with PCGS over the last three years would cover more than a month of bandwidth here, but even if that revenue isn't "significant" there's value in keeping customers involved in and invested in your brand.
Bottom line - I'm glad the boards will continue, and I'll be happy to play by the new rules.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
09/07/2006
<< <i>
<< <i>Dont get your forums mixed up there SM1.
One thing that has pulled my chain for quite some time are the threads that list submission results from other companies that are nothing more than trolling for buyers to PM and make offers. This is not the BST board, and don't insult my intelligence by telling me that you just wanted to share your "good fortune" with others. If these companies have a board, post 'em over there, not here.
If you don't like the new rules, either adjust or feel free to leave, but please spare us the suicide by moderator threads as your farewell stand. It just makes work for us and makes you look foolish. >>
Is this rule number 4 ?
Do you think David and the gang discussed bringing back the Open Forum?
<< <i>SM1:
Do you think David and the gang discussed bringing back the Open Forum?
I'm sure that they did and wagers were placed on pigs learning to fly before that happens.
Forum AdministratorPSA & PSA/DNA ForumModerator@collectors.com | p 800.325.1121 | PSAcard.com
<< <i>
<< <i>SM1:
Do you think David and the gang discussed bringing back the Open Forum?
I'm sure that they did and wagers were placed on pigs learning to fly before that happens. >>
SW
I also think that the PCGS bashing, which usually boils down to "they're the worst TPG, except for all the others", provides newbies with a sense that they're getting it straight from the more experienced posters. Given the the boiled down message, this is also to PCGS' benefit.
Frankly, I don't mind if some over-the-top threads are deleted here and there. I also don't care if some people get the boot, as long as it's the ones that deserve to get booted.
However, I'd feel a whole lot better about this if I knew the decisions were enlightened by an appreciation of all of the above.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
TD
This is PCGS' playpen. If they say don't throw ELMO, then don't do it. If they say no baloney sandwiches in the playpen, switch to salami. If they say don't DIS us in our house....then for chrissakes, what's so hard to understand about that?
You can dis other stupid posters, dis someone's AT coins, dis NGC, dis modern crap...but you do not take a dump in someone elses yard when you're playing in there.
A message to David Hall...THIS forum IS valuable. If us idiot-savants didn't have a place to talk about our obsession we probably wouldn't be collecting as much. Try talking to your wife about coins. At best you get "uh-hu...uh-huh"...and at worst the "half-of -everything" abacus is tallying everything as you speak. So to discount the impact these forums have on the hobby, the collectors, dealers, prices paid, activity of buying and selling is an oversight or an underestimation.
Thank you, continue what you were doing.
And what constitutes profanity in the Mods world anyway? Is the word crap ok ? feces? s...? They all mean the same thing.
Call me stupid, but I feel the need for a list of verbotten words...
and they're cold.
I don't want nobody to shoot me in the foxhole."
Mary
Best Franklin Website
and they're cold.
I don't want nobody to shoot me in the foxhole."
Mary
Best Franklin Website
First, I was in the air last night and missed the fun. Somebody, please PM me the juicy details!
Second, I've seen many offensive things posted on these boards, yet I've never taken offense. Similarly, I've never been offended by the 7 and 10 pins when I bowled a split. It's all about your attitude, not theirs.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
A voucher for Eight FREE Submissions (Excluding Mint Errors and coins valued above $3000). Turnaround time on submission approximately 21 business days.
Plus, all the benefits of Gold membership:
One Year subscription to the quarterly "PCGS Population ReportSM"
The Official Guide to Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection, 2nd Edition
Direct Submission Privileges to All PCGS Grading Services for One Year
One-Year subscription to the On-Line "PCGS Population ReportSM" & "PCGS Price Guide"
Access to all Collectors Universe eShops, Set Registry, and Message Boards <<------------------------------------------------Didn't I pay for this service
eZine of your choice
If it wasn't for the message boards I would have never joined.
<< <i>PLATINUM MEMBERSHIP (1 Year)
A voucher for Eight FREE Submissions (Excluding Mint Errors and coins valued above $3000). Turnaround time on submission approximately 21 business days.
Plus, all the benefits of Gold membership:
One Year subscription to the quarterly "PCGS Population ReportSM"
The Official Guide to Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection, 2nd Edition
Direct Submission Privileges to All PCGS Grading Services for One Year
One-Year subscription to the On-Line "PCGS Population ReportSM" & "PCGS Price Guide"
Access to all Collectors Universe eShops, Set Registry, and Message Boards <<------------------------------------------------Didn't I pay for this service
eZine of your choice >>
I'm sure they will refund you membership fee when you get booted....NOT
and they're cold.
I don't want nobody to shoot me in the foxhole."
Mary
Best Franklin Website
<< <i>Fan mail from a flounder:
This is PCGS' playpen. If they say don't throw ELMO, then don't do it. If they say no baloney sandwiches in the playpen, switch to salami. If they say don't DIS us in our house....then for chrissakes, what's so hard to understand about that?
You can dis other stupid posters, dis someone's AT coins, dis NGC, dis modern crap...but you do not take a dump in someone elses yard when you're playing in there.
A message to David Hall...THIS forum IS valuable. If us idiot-savants didn't have a place to talk about our obsession we probably wouldn't be collecting as much. Try talking to your wife about coins. At best you get "uh-hu...uh-huh"...and at worst the "half-of -everything" abacus is tallying everything as you speak. So to discount the impact these forums have on the hobby, the collectors, dealers, prices paid, activity of buying and selling is an oversight or an underestimation.
Thank you, continue what you were doing.
That was pretty darn good Saint!
<< <i> I know I was offended by the posts last night. Hope the writers are gone!
First, I was in the air last night and missed the fun. Somebody, please PM me the juicy details! >>
I was at a club meeting last night so I'd kinda like to know what went down!
I agree about this "no PCGS" bashing because it is, after all, their house and their rules! It never really made sense to me anyway. If I invited soemone over for dinner and all they did was whine about how the food was prepared, I'd boot em too and my "don't bother to come back!" boot!
So any way, what happened?
For coin relativeness, I picked up a sweet roll of 77-D IKEs last night at the auction for cheap-o money! Darn near face..........
The name is LEE!
<< <i>Try talking to your wife about coins. At best you get "uh-hu...uh-huh"...and at worst the "half-of -everything" abacus is tallying everything as you speak. >>
We all owe you one.
Rules are a good thing- they give you a chance to understand.
That said-
I do not agree with the comparison made here that this board is similar to being invited to someones house for dinner and then bashing the host/hostess. For example--if you are invited to someone house for dinner AND they sell flowerpots in their den for 30 bucks a pop--you SHOULD have the ability to discuss the pro's AND CON'S about those flowerpots you are paying for-- if you see a flaw or problem on one of the 30 dollar flowerpots shouldn't you be able to talk about it???? Not bash but discuss???
I think that many here ARE over-reacting to a degree because they are not seperating the difference between strong constructive discussion and blatant outright bashing.
I will not, nor will I ever, call a lousy coin in any TPG plastic a beauty out of fear that the TPG company will ban me from speaking on their forum----nor would I expect them to, but by the same token- the discussion of the problem coin should be civilized and not a third grade mudslinging.
I will continue to post my thoughts and opinions on this board in what I consider a non-bashing way, but my opinions may include stating that a coin in a slab may be overgraded or in my opinion misgraded----let me add that I don't care whose plastic it is in. If I get banned for giving my opinions in a non-bashing way-OK. Likewise--If I get banned for bashing PCGS on their forum - then I deserve it--I did read the rules.
I hope these boards do remain open, but I also hope that if members are going to be banned that it is done for the right reasons and done fairly----Please do not let a chosen few have free sailing while others are on thin ice.
This is a coin forum
I am a collector
Works for me
edited for spelling...
If anyone wants an alternate place to play, they can always PM FoundingFather for the URL to his site, it's a happening place from what I've been told.
Self Indulgence | Holey Coins | Flickr Photostream