Message from David Hall
homerunhall
Posts: 2,496 ✭✭✭
Hello Everyone...
Rick Montgomery has resigned from his position as President of PCGS. Here's what we are doing to fill the gaps left by his departure. Ron Howard has been named Director of Grading. After a 15 year career as a buyer for major companies (Heritage, Paramount, Kagin...for whom he purchased hundreds of millions of dollars worth of top quality coins), Ron joined PCGS as a full time grader in Feb, 1987. Ron has been with us since that time and has always been a senior grader, occupying the "first chair" for most of that time. In my opinion (and I've seen almost everyone there is to see...even Mark Salzburg used to work at PCGS), Ron is one of the best coin graders in the world. Ron will be responsible for the quality and consistency of the PCGS final grade. Note to all...we don't use a finalizer. We have a system of verification and "double verification." Ron will grade, do the second decision on any proposed verification changes, do cross-over verifications, and do all the double verifications.
As for my role, I will not be grading, though they occasionally ask my opinion on big coins. I will be very involved in customer liason. If you have any specific complaints about coins, I'm not only willing to talk to you, I astually want to see all of the coins you have questions on. Please call Sandy Locker at 800-447-8848, ext 131 or email her at sandyl@collectors.com and she'll explain how to get coins to me.
As for the PCGS Set Registry. the Registry remains in the very capable hands of BJ Searls and her team. I will continue my work on the set weighting and other Registry numismatic issues.
We appreciate all of your continued support. Please call me direct if you have any comments, complaints, or suggestions.
David Hall
PS...I usually don't have time to read the message boards, so if you want to get ahold of me, please call me or Sandy direct.
Rick Montgomery has resigned from his position as President of PCGS. Here's what we are doing to fill the gaps left by his departure. Ron Howard has been named Director of Grading. After a 15 year career as a buyer for major companies (Heritage, Paramount, Kagin...for whom he purchased hundreds of millions of dollars worth of top quality coins), Ron joined PCGS as a full time grader in Feb, 1987. Ron has been with us since that time and has always been a senior grader, occupying the "first chair" for most of that time. In my opinion (and I've seen almost everyone there is to see...even Mark Salzburg used to work at PCGS), Ron is one of the best coin graders in the world. Ron will be responsible for the quality and consistency of the PCGS final grade. Note to all...we don't use a finalizer. We have a system of verification and "double verification." Ron will grade, do the second decision on any proposed verification changes, do cross-over verifications, and do all the double verifications.
As for my role, I will not be grading, though they occasionally ask my opinion on big coins. I will be very involved in customer liason. If you have any specific complaints about coins, I'm not only willing to talk to you, I astually want to see all of the coins you have questions on. Please call Sandy Locker at 800-447-8848, ext 131 or email her at sandyl@collectors.com and she'll explain how to get coins to me.
As for the PCGS Set Registry. the Registry remains in the very capable hands of BJ Searls and her team. I will continue my work on the set weighting and other Registry numismatic issues.
We appreciate all of your continued support. Please call me direct if you have any comments, complaints, or suggestions.
David Hall
PS...I usually don't have time to read the message boards, so if you want to get ahold of me, please call me or Sandy direct.
0
Comments
Jeremy
Good luck with your new level of responsibilities.
peacockcoins
I guess I will be the first guy to send David coins I have a problem with the grade.
I think I will start with about 40 morgans and 5 peace dollars.
Get ready David !
Larry
POB 854
Temecula CA 92593
310-541-7222 office
310-710-2869 cell
www.LSRarecoins.com
Larry@LSRarecoins.com
PCGS Las Vegas June 24-26
Baltimore July 14-17
Chicago August 11-15
anyone else want to know ?
Larry
POB 854
Temecula CA 92593
310-541-7222 office
310-710-2869 cell
www.LSRarecoins.com
Larry@LSRarecoins.com
PCGS Las Vegas June 24-26
Baltimore July 14-17
Chicago August 11-15
Maybe this just was not brought out into the open and now it has been. Personally I have no problems with PCGS customer service. Sure some of thier Grading is Flakey, but as far as getting responses from them I have no problems with them at all.
Ken
Having you and Sandy handle customer service related issues is wonderful. Like Laura, I have a coin in at PCGS on behalf of a collector, which Rick had been working on for a while now. I'll call you tomorrow to discuss it.
Congratulations on keeping everything "together" the way you have during this trying time!
Wondercoin
<< <i>
PS...I usually don't have time to read the message boards, so if you want to get ahold of me, please call me or Sandy direct. >>
Rick - I strongly suggest you take some time and read some of the recent forum posts from dealers and collectors alike, many of whom represent the PCGS client base. There is alot of good feedback already in the forum. PCGS has developed a legitimate and serious credibility issue concerning its grading consistency and it would do the company well to take heed and tackle this problem head on.
Not only am I concerned as a long-time PCGS collector, PCGS member, forum member, and client of these dealers, I am also a (rare breed) CLCT shareholder. From any perspective I am concerned. Hope you are reading.
David who?
Thread 1 (Laura's comments are particularly interesting)
Thread 2
<< <i>Seven posts in a year and a half.
David who? >>
Sounds like David needs to make the time to read and post on these boards, or hire someone to interact a little more with their clients and do just that. (And not just the big-boys). A neglected customer base is a soon lost customer base IMO.
Joe
Perhaps we burned Rick Montgomery out with all the questions we had for him? They obviously built up over a long period of time and must have taken him ages to answer as not enough interaction had ocurred for too long.
So I guess no one else has a problem w/ what he just said?? After hearing it from other people at PCGS, including Rick, not to mention their counterfiet & grading book, which said that coins sent to PCGS are seen by 3 graders, and then it goes to the "finalizer" who has the final say in the grade of the coin. So would anyone at PCGS clarify what DH just said? It freeking looks like PCGS's lawyer wrote this entire message.
Re-elect Bush in 2004... Dont let the Socialists brainwash you.
Bush 2004
Jeb 2008
KK 2016
<< <i>Seven posts in a year and a half.
David who? >>
..............david hall.........he man who started it all.
BTW.. how could one person be a "grader, do the second decision on any proposed verification changes, do cross-over verifications, and do all the double verifications"? Sounds like PCGS only has one good grader.. or there is a lot of conflict in Mr. Howard's job description.
We shall see.. we shall see!!
WWQ
One wonders what it means, when a man apparently regarded as reponsive to the customer base in a company whose customer service has a mixed reputation, jumps suddenly in an apparently parallel move to the company's major rival.
All this happens amidst much tumult recently about sudden "tightening" in grading at PCGS, and perceptions of better response/customer support/turn around and grading consistentcy at NGC.
Then we hear from Mr. Hall, who's been the point of concern about conflict of interest, and we get confusing and worrisome information about how PCGS is going to be grading coins now.
This may or not be a good thing for PCGS. But as far as us schmoes out in the boonies, all of this looks like instability, internal turmoil and crisis.
I recommend that PCGS regroup, stabilize, communicate and set the standard for responsible and consistent grading, communication, responsiveness and integrity, before they lose out to somebody who does.
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...
<< <i>[Sounds like David needs to make the time to read and post on these boards, or hire someone to interact a little more with their clients and do just that. (And not just the big-boys). A neglected customer base is a soon lost customer base IMO. >>
I couldn't agree more. Our little microcosm of collector and dealer sentiment should have been listened to here on the forums long ago, and addressed. What better barometer of the market perception of one's products than one's own website? It's too simple. Or perhaps our hosts feel that WE are to simple. It's hard to tell with little or no interaction. Although I applaud Mr. Hall's post, it rings hollow with me unless it is followed with concrete action. Mr. Hall, have a serious conversation with us, ask for our opinions and suggestions, talk to us collectively - right here. But most of all, listen to us. The success or failure of your company may depend on it!
Andy
First POTD 9/19/05!!
With that said, am I among the few here who recognize this carefully worded "press release" as a sure sign that PCGS is circling the drain? Losing your President to your largest competitor and making a statement about how responsibilities are going to be "re-assigned" to "make do", sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.
I write business communications for a living, and disaster plans are a part of what I do, making public statements when the worst things happen. This, in my opinion, looks like major trouble.
Further, to have a forum of this caliber where your customers talk about your company and "not having the time to read"?????
Lunacy.
I have never sent a coin to PCGS.
I don't see that trend changing.
companies come out stronger, others....
Scott M
Everything is linear if plotted log-log with a fat magic marker
and one thing I would have been doing, is reading a forum where my customers express their views. Know your customers, listen to your customers, they control your company.
activity and present it at the CU morning meeting. Not only will they come to see what
fine entertainment it is, but they'll be able to keep up with the thoughts, and activities
of their many guests with a minimal expenditure of time and effort.
They need rehab!
Laura Sperber
lsperber1@hotmail.com
JUST SAY NO TO WANNABES! They lurk and prey on unwitting collectors in chatrooms!
my hotels
Neil
I wonder if Rick M. got canned because of Legend's doctored Double Eagle?
I would like to know more about their system of verification and "double verification," sounds different than the way I thought they graded coins.
If PCGS goes the way of ACG & PCI & SEGS it would really hurt the hobby and I hope they close their doors first.
A future post from Conder101 might say "That is the rare PCGS 13-A from late 2002. Only in production the last 2 months PCGS was in business. As a cost cutting measure the paper insert was discontinued and the grade was simply wrote on the slab with a Sharpie."
-------------------------
-Robert
I looked for some info yesterday and it still had Rick as VP of something and Pres of PCGS. I guess I need to check it again.
One wonders what it means, when a man apparently regarded as reponsive to the customer base in a company whose customer service has a mixed reputation, jumps suddenly in an apparently parallel move to the company's major rival.
I, for one, damn sure would like to know what is really going on. I considered Rick and Carol the mainstay of PCGS customer service (is she gone too?) and when the "people person" of the company RESIGNS, it can only cause concern and speculation.
Hey RICK, since you are no longer an employee, you can jump right in and let us staunch supporters have an inkling on why you abandoned ship (gurgle gurgle)
Let's wait and see what Mark Salzberg has to say about Rick Montgomery going to work for NGC
Even more important lets wait and see what Rick Montgomery has to say about his future in the coin business
So far David Hall is the only man that has stepped up to the plate and made a formal announcement.He has stated Rick Montgomery has RESIGNED as President of PCGS.He has also stated Ron Howard is director of grading
The present fact is that for the most part is that PCGS coins are worth more than NGC coins in the same grade.Myself like white wash quarter and many others on this message board are very concerned our coins hold their value and are prepared to protect our interest.
Stewart Blay
Nor are your currently graded PCGS coins going to go down in value. Time will tell what future slabs will trade for, and that will be solely based on the public perception of how grading standards are applied for them.
forum members should have a party for him.....right here on this forum.
I think Rick would really appreciate it.
What do you say guys?
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
Stewart - don't you have more important things to be doing?
I am trying to do business with you but you keep telling me your busy.........but you keep PLAYING on this forum
Stewart
This Ron Howard guy isn't "Opie," is it?
My Website
"Everything I have is for sale except for my wife and my dog....and I'm not sure about one of them."
The response was "go ask Wondercoin, he will know where to find one!!"
Most non competes are specific as far as region, duration and actions. If there is a non compete, there are a multitude of ways to comply and still work for a competitor. For instance - the non compete my company has with its President would still allow him to work for a competitor in a different region or in a different position of responsibility.
<< <i> I personally don't think Rick is going to say anything other than what good things he wants to do at NGC. Anything remotely derrogatory about PCGS would be a big mistake on his part, and I'm saying right here right now that it is never going to happen. >>
Not only would it be a mistake, it would be very very un-classy. Anyone who says derogatory things about others, whether they deserve it or not, is not a very classy individual nor a very professional one. Rick is, from what I can tell, both a class-act and a professional. So no, I don't expect him to say anything but all the good things he'll do at NGC, and he'll probably throw out some good words about PCGS too (whether he means them or not).
I also noticed that Mr. Hall did not "wish Rick the best at NGC". I assume then that Mr. Hall is not happy with what is happening.
EVP
How does one get a hater to stop hating?
I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com
<< <i>No one ever accused DHall of being a class act.
EVP >>
How could they? Everytime I read his "letter" i feel the sudden need to take a shower!
Re-elect Bush in 2004... Dont let the Socialists brainwash you.
Bush 2004
Jeb 2008
KK 2016
gregg
out of rockets ...out of bullets...switching to harsh language