Why are NCS fees so low?

Higashiyama

For modestly priced coins, at least, fees are less than slabbing fees, and it seems that the service is more labor intensive. Do they hope to earn their revenue from big ticket submissions?

JR

I really don't know, but I hope to get some of my coins to them for conservation before they figure out that most people would be willing to pay more for their services. I've been very impressed with the work I've seen others post about here.


(edited for typo)

BigD5

I think they are keeping the costs down to drum up business. Think about this. If you have some coins to go to ngc, why not send them to NCS first for a couple of bucks, and have them evaluate the coins BEFORE walking them across the hall for grading, and risking a bodybag for $30ish? The small fee is worth it on bodybag susceptible coins. Saves the submitter money too.

Russ

I was actually a bit concerned about how cheaply they do their work. It's the age old adage "you get what you pay for" that's been floating around in my head. But, after 22 coins so far (five more currently in) my concerns seem to have been unwarranted. They aren't perfect, just like PCGS they make an occasional mistake. But, on balance, they are very very good at what they do.

Russ, NCNE

gmarguli

Most work shouldn't take too long. They stick it in a solution and the PVC or AT is gone. A few seconds work.

They also make good money on expensive coins. A $10,000 coin will run you $250.

Russ

<< <i>They stick it in a solution and the PVC or AT is gone. A few seconds work. >>



Greg,

If it were only PVC, toning or haze, you're right. But, those are also coins I take care of myself - no need to send them to NCS. But, they are also amazing at dramatically reducing, and sometimes eliminating, milk spots on proof coinage without damaging the fields. If you have a method for doing that with a "few seconds" work, I'd like to hear about it.

Russ, NCNE

gmarguli

Russ, you'd be surprised at how many people will refuse to dip PVC or haze off themselves. No matter how small the problem they don't trust themselves to do the dipping.

I'd guess most of the problems that NCS takes care of are minor in terms of actual physical work needed to be done on them. Hard grime gets soaked. PVC/haze gets dipped. Copper spots on gold probably only take a few minutes to get rid of.

I'm not saying they don't do an excellent job or anything like that. I've gotten to see many coins they have worked on and I like their work a lot. I'm just not sure how long a lot of their work takes.

I'm bet that most of their time is spent developing methods to remove the actual damage, rather than removing something from an individual coin. Once they have perfected the solution needed to get rid of milk spots, there isn't much more work needed to be done. Just a quick bath for the milk spotted coins that come in.

Russ

I'd like to sneak in their lab sometime and find out how they're doing it. I've beat my brains out trying different tecniques, and I've never been able to put even a dent in a milk spot without ruining the surface underneath it.

Russ, NCNE

newbiecollector

Let me jump on your thread and ask if it possible for a person NOT located in the USA to use this service wirh NCS, and any other service they have.

Answers would be appreciated.

gmarguli

I believe they will. If not, I'll be happy to submit the coins for you as long as you'll pay all the fees.

Mark

Greg:

From your post at 2:14, I am lead to believe that NCS can "take care" of copper spots on gold? Do you know this to be the case, because if so I am excited: I have a Pan Pac $1 commemorative with a copper spot smack on the worker's ear lobe. I'd LOVE to have this spot removed, if possible. If NCS does work on copper spots on gold, do you have any idea what they do?

Thanks in advance.

Mark

airplanenut

They also can reject a coin and keep $5- if they get lots of coins that don't get conserved, they still make oodles off of the inspection fee

gmarguli

Mark, I've never had it done, but it is listed on their web site with pictures of before and after.

Higashiyama

Newbiecollector -- I have just completed an NCS submission from Japan with no problem.

Mark

Greg:

Thanks much for the information. I'll take my Pan Pac with me to the FUN show and see if they think they can work on it. At the Jacksonville ANA show, I took in a modern silver commemorative with a nasty spot of darkness on it and the gentleman working behind the table told me the nasty spot was a piece of embedded metal, so NCS could be of no help. I appreciate the fact that he told me not to bother rather than letting me submit the coin, pay the fee, and then telling me not to bother.

Mark