Ok: Now YOU'RE in Charge of PCGS for a Day-
braddick
Posts: 23,963 ✭✭✭✭✭
PCGS decides to turn the reins of business over to you for a day. Make any necessary changes you deem fit (and they'll stay executed even though at the end of the day, you're gone).
Here's then my Open Letter to PCGS:
6:00AM- Staff meeting. I know it's early- but I've only got a day!
"First up: We can now stop spending on research and Focus Groups. We've already got one in place: it's called the 'CU Coin Forum' and 'Registry Forum'. I want you to each read the Forums daily. Write down the grievances and note the positive (so as to even enhance those services) and contribute to the Threads.
Second, Order one case of surgical gloves for the guys in the slabbing room. Better yet, order the gloves and hire one more guy to help with the slabbing. They make latex gloves these days that fit like a prophylatics. They're comfortable and will STOP this Fingerprinting debacle.
Third, I'm hiring two more Graders and we're going to now have a "Night Shift". Why should we 'close' at 5:00PM? The support staff may go home but a second shift of Graders will report and grade coin throughout the night.
I want to knock down our turnaround time from three to four weeks to one to two weeks. We're doing it now, in some cases, with Moderns- let's move it now into the Classics.
Fourth- We are no longer going to take the cowardly way out. If we're not sure about a coin and its authenticity (whether that's toning or cleaning or anything else) we're going to GET SURE. We're the Number One grading and authentication Service in the World. I want the use of bodybags kept to a minimum. It's difficult to believe our submitters really are missing on so many coins. If we have to hire a Coin Doctor or two on a consulting basis we will. Let's get to KNOW these coins and holder the coins that deserve to be graded and not take a pass because we 'just don't know'.
Fifth: We're grading 30,000 to 50,000 coins per month! 99.9% are being handled correctly but in this business it is the .01% that'll kill us. The most vocal collectors are Coin Collectors. Let's improve and learn from our mistakes.
Do do this properly we're going to have to raise our rates. Moderns will now cost $12.50 (up from $10.00) and Classics will cost $17.50 (up from $15.00). That's a 20% increase in rates on average, but if we can not only promise, but DELIVER all the above expectations I don't think the Collecting community- and that includes Dealers!, will fight this increase".
"Ok, let's get to work".
(Everyone rises from their chairs, notebooks in hand...)
"WAIT! I forgot a couple of things.
One- let's change that insert to have the barcode now on the reverse and lets change the color to a light green (but without the yellow tint as in earlier inserts, but with a blue tint). We'll throw Conder101 a bone.
Also, If this character named Braddick sends in these worn out monstrocities he calls "the worse coins on the planet" go ahead and give him a couple of "PO01's" instead of the mandated "FA02" as has had been posted in a previous memo.
Now, LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN!! That's all. Dismissed"..
Here's then my Open Letter to PCGS:
6:00AM- Staff meeting. I know it's early- but I've only got a day!
"First up: We can now stop spending on research and Focus Groups. We've already got one in place: it's called the 'CU Coin Forum' and 'Registry Forum'. I want you to each read the Forums daily. Write down the grievances and note the positive (so as to even enhance those services) and contribute to the Threads.
Second, Order one case of surgical gloves for the guys in the slabbing room. Better yet, order the gloves and hire one more guy to help with the slabbing. They make latex gloves these days that fit like a prophylatics. They're comfortable and will STOP this Fingerprinting debacle.
Third, I'm hiring two more Graders and we're going to now have a "Night Shift". Why should we 'close' at 5:00PM? The support staff may go home but a second shift of Graders will report and grade coin throughout the night.
I want to knock down our turnaround time from three to four weeks to one to two weeks. We're doing it now, in some cases, with Moderns- let's move it now into the Classics.
Fourth- We are no longer going to take the cowardly way out. If we're not sure about a coin and its authenticity (whether that's toning or cleaning or anything else) we're going to GET SURE. We're the Number One grading and authentication Service in the World. I want the use of bodybags kept to a minimum. It's difficult to believe our submitters really are missing on so many coins. If we have to hire a Coin Doctor or two on a consulting basis we will. Let's get to KNOW these coins and holder the coins that deserve to be graded and not take a pass because we 'just don't know'.
Fifth: We're grading 30,000 to 50,000 coins per month! 99.9% are being handled correctly but in this business it is the .01% that'll kill us. The most vocal collectors are Coin Collectors. Let's improve and learn from our mistakes.
Do do this properly we're going to have to raise our rates. Moderns will now cost $12.50 (up from $10.00) and Classics will cost $17.50 (up from $15.00). That's a 20% increase in rates on average, but if we can not only promise, but DELIVER all the above expectations I don't think the Collecting community- and that includes Dealers!, will fight this increase".
"Ok, let's get to work".
(Everyone rises from their chairs, notebooks in hand...)
"WAIT! I forgot a couple of things.
One- let's change that insert to have the barcode now on the reverse and lets change the color to a light green (but without the yellow tint as in earlier inserts, but with a blue tint). We'll throw Conder101 a bone.
Also, If this character named Braddick sends in these worn out monstrocities he calls "the worse coins on the planet" go ahead and give him a couple of "PO01's" instead of the mandated "FA02" as has had been posted in a previous memo.
Now, LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN!! That's all. Dismissed"..
peacockcoins
0
Comments
Russ, NCNE
2 Cam-Slams!
1 Russ POTD!
I want everyone in here at 8am tomorrow morning for a meeting... AND I MEAN EVERYONE.
8AM: This is a box of White Cloth Gloves. Each and ever person who handles the coins from start to finish will be required to wear these white gloves (moan...groan) Yep, that's right. If I catch anyone touching a coin without wearing these white gloves, you will be written up the first time, the second time you will be placed on final warning and if it happens after that, you will be terminated, no if's and's or but's!
During the overnight hours, we built a "clean room", this is where the final inspection and encapsulation will take place. I do not want to see any dust or fingerprints on the coins or inside the encapsulation.
Our brochure will be changed to refect that we handle the coins with these white gloves, Jim the photographer will be taking pictures today so we can make the change to the brochure in a week.
If we have a customer complaint, we will no longer say "SORRY SUCKER", we will request that the customer send in the coin for further review.
...by the way, We need to make copies of that 1909 Fingerprinted coin and place them in the grading room and the cleaning room. (By the way... is that a true story??)
-David
Hey- where are all those "sample" slabs you promised me?!
peacockcoins
Any coin submitted for crossover automatically gets the following reassigned grades. (No time to actually look at them, just change the grade)
NGC -1
ANACS -2
SEGS -3
PCI, or ACG: Return in a body bag.
im out
out of rockets ...out of bullets...switching to harsh language
-David
I would add to your list:
- Create a coin-sized slab that will fit in albums. The biggest drawback of slabs is the inability to display them compactly.
- Install an air compressor to blow away debris just prior to the a coin being slabbed. A good one, like that used for painting cars, i.e. moisture-free.
- Allow combining all coin types on one invoice.
- Clearly state all submission rules somewhere! It's amazing how much discussion takes place on these boards in regard to conflicting information from PCGS.
".......issue this keets character a check and contact him immediately. we need to get that sad chapter behind us and free up some space on the forum!!
al h.
1. Like above, make graders and slabbers wear gloves.
2. Stop all special labels, flags, etc. Dealers get the same treatment as collectors.
3. Same day grading/reholdering means same day grading - not 9am: "it should be done at five", 5pm: "we have alot of coins, so maybe six", and then 6pm: "pay $10 and we will ship the coin to you." Translation - the coin comes back 21 days later.
4. Hire more graders if need be. Consitency is what we need and if graders need an extra 10 seconds so be it.
5. Slab boxes will be made in 20 count (like we have) and 10 count slots for coins. The boxes will be easier for collectors and dealers to carry around the floor as they buy and sell. Taking a few slabs to a coin club meeting is easier also with a smaller box.
6. Plenty of snack time - but not at your desk or anywhere near coins!
7. Attend every State convention so that all collectors in every State has a chance at least once a year to directly submit to PCGS.
Cameron Kiefer
2) Clean room for coin sealing that is actually clean.
3) New policy: Fingerprint a coin, lose that finger.
4) Move the bar code and Series/Coin number to the back of the insert.
5) Hire someone to monitor these forums.
6) Create an "Ask PCGS" forum that is actually used by someone at PCGS.
7) Special printed inserts - none.
8) Signed inserts - none.
9) Issue PUBLIC apology for the WTC death coins. Completely shameful on the part of PCGS.
10) Donate monkeys to the zoo, replace with people who know what they are doing.
11) Don't send gmarguli a bill for two invoices when he paid you with a credit card (he will be calling you later on today to discuss this!!!).
12) Bodybagged coins and failed crossovers get a choice: Either a $5 credit on a new submission or A written explanation why the coin isn't in a PCGS slab.
Oh, yeah - on my way to the board meeting I'd tell them to cross the 1885, too!
BTW - I'd immediately increase pay for all personal (especially graders). Please don't let this decision affect the grades you are about to divine for invoice#341039.
and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
as per #3-----soon we'd all be complaining that there were strange impressions of noses, chins or elbows on our coins cause after awhile all the graders would be fingerless. what then? off with the noses to spite the........oh, forget it!! good suggestions, though. i especially like your "ask pcgs forum" and the bb explanation. those are really sensible.
al h.
2.) I would check to see if Martha Stewart was selling any of our stock.
3.) I would open an east coast office, somewhere around Philadelphia.
4.) I would continue to offer the registry and forums as a free service to help everyone learn all they can.
5.) I would send certificates to every registry set that is 100% complete.
6.) I would schedule a classics vs. modern volleyball match. Loser buys winners favorite beer.
Joe
8:01 a.m. : Go home
jom
Several comments (All said in fun, not meant to criticize anyone!):
I'd immediately hire additional staff (grading and support), offer volume discounts
Unfortunately, it isn't that easy! Hire just 5 more people, and you better bring in some extra money, not start offering disounts!
1.)I would hire Russ as the company photographer and each coin would be imaged when graded.
What would you do when all the Kennedy Half proofs started disappearing!
8 a.m. : Sell company to NGC. Take profit.
What if ACG offered more money!?
I'll add one of my own. Move from Newport Beach/Santa Ana to Cypress, CA
JJacks
2. Encourage employees to interact with forum memebers
3. Have the grade finalizer answer questions in the forum
4. Come up with a special designation on the holder for coins with superior eye appeal
5. Coins beginning in 1955 would be graded at a reduced rate
6. Set the registry up to reflect grading based on market pricing
7. Start full disclosure
8. Become known as the most consistant coin grading company
9. Have a trivia contest every week to give away nice gifts
10. Start a coin conservation subsidiary
I'll second all of your suggestions, and add one. Once a week, I'd love to see a moderated forum with a numismatic guest, to discuss their particular field of expertise. It would be good for all of us, PCGS included.
and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
An end to not being able to return differing submission methods in the same package. PCGS admits this is simply a logistical/software problem. It's not hard to resolve.
And, love the idea of an expert "chat" with a numismatic expert each week, or even a periodic on-line discussion with PCGS graders on what they are looking for, how they go about their work, common grading mistakes they see submitters making, etc.
The Ludlow Brilliant Collection (1938-64)
Attention Coin owners of PCGS holdered coins, we are offering a buy back program to eliminate the thousands of lame ass, scratchety ass coins that passed through our hands, but were still cleaned, problematic and just friggin ugly. We are striving to improve our fine reputation in the numismatic community. We feel that our reputation could be tarnished if we body bag perfectly fine coins while thousands of dog turd coins are being sold for a premium in the marketplace, thanks to our arbitrary grading practices which the whole world worships as immutable law.
Hey thats would I would do
Tyler
Let's say you get as payment for services rendered during your one-day tenure: $250,000 worth of restricted stock in PCGS' parent company. The restriction being that it must be held for at least 5 years before selling.
Change your answer?
then i would not grade 90% of what was submitted due to eye appeal
then would tighten up some designations and grading on some specific coin types and grades which i will not go into on here
also i would grade a coin in a series as it is even if it a 67 68 (or 69 for coins after 1950) that the grading service doesnot want any increase on in population. in other words if the coin makes the grade no matter if it is the first one it gets the grade no matter what!! and if there are lots then they get the grade also there will be no nogrades at certian levels to keep market share/prices up for the grading services holder
i would allow NO 70 coins for whatever reason i think they do not exist and is only a theory
now maybe there are other factors going on that i do not understand and the above may be unfair in fact maybe very wrong and unrealistic as i am talking from a STRICTLY COLLECTOR standpoint and a commercial grading service FROM A NON COLLECTOR STANDPOINT A MONEY MAKING BUSINESS WITH MANY PEOPLE DEPENDING ON THEM FOR MANY THINGS A PAYCHEAK ETC.ETC.in other words the grading service has other issues to condend with
i also think you maybe cant run a commerical grading serivce ffrom a collector standpoint
well that is my thoughts on the metter
sincerely michael
1-Dammit Boy Oct 14,2003
International Coins
"A work in progress"
Wayne
eBay registered name:
Hard_ Search (buyer/bidder, a small time seller)
e-mail: wayne.whatley@gmail.com
1) I would introduce a new smaller slab with just one small line of details in the front and a serial number on the back (so people will look at the coin and not the slab).
2) The new slab would be made of Lucite or some other plastic which does not scratch if you look at it the wrong way.
3) The slabs would be evacuated prior to sealing.
3) All coin grading fees would be by series and not an arbitrary date cutoff.
4) A team would be available at all major coin shows to a)fix slab errors (free) b)provide same-day grading at the same price as mail-order and c) reholder coins for a buck a piece
5) No minimum wage workers would be permitted to handle raw coins.
i also think that pcgs would produce more revenue and have a better bottom line because of all his astute suggestions
which i must admit are eons better than mine because mine would never in a million years ever be implemented!!
where steves just above could be impliminated are practical and they would not only work
but i think money wise and profit wise would reap on the positive side for pcgs!!
sincerely michael
- Crossover with written analysis
- Regrade with written analysis
I'd publish a detailed list of characteristics for CAM and DCAM designations for each demonination. Special attention would be given to copper, of course.
Everyone handling coins, from receiving through encapsulation would be required to wear mouth/nose masks in addition to gloves, to eliminate black spotting.
perfectstrike