Meeting With David Hall Re Regrades

wondercoin

"We do not allow in-person discussions with the graders. You could come in and talk to me personally...as Mitch Wonder Coin did today...but you can't talk to the graders. The graders reviewing the reviews never know whose reviews they are reviewing...got it. Mitch was 0 for 4 today, but he did get an in-person explanation of every rejection."

I just received a PM pointing out that David Hall commented about our in person meeting the other day on the Q&A board. I was asked to share my thoughts on the meeting, which I am happy to do.

I recently got a couple submission batches back with results less than expected. I asked David Hall if he would meet with me and discuss a few of the coins. A couple coins were submissions of a collector who asked me to submit them for him and one or two coins were my own submissions.

David Hall took the time to go over each coin with me. He showed me exactly why each coin was not one grade higher. On one of the coins (a Lib nickel in MS65 that had MS66 written all over it), David conceeded that he liked the coin very much and it was very, very close to the next highest grade. On a Wash quarter in blast white MS66 that I thought was MS67, again, David agreed the coin was a wonderful example of the date, but "just missed" the MS67 grade. He quickly showed me why the other (2) coins were also not upgradeable. The PCGS "line" on certain coins became clear - do I personally believe the Lib nickel is an MS66? Of course. Do I think the Wash quarter is an MS67, of course I will try those (2) coins until they get in their rightful holders I did give up on the (2) coins David was less enthusiastic about and his thoughts really helped. But, the point is David Hall did take the time to meet with me and go over each coin in detail and it was greatly appreciated. He struck me as an exceptional coin grader who hasn't lost a drop of his skills since the time he left the grading room.

David also downgraded a PCGS coin for me (on behalf of a collector) this week of sizeable consequence and did it professionally and expeditiously.

I couldn't be happier with the manner in which PCGS is currently conducting its business and the collectors, whos coins I am submitting for them, feel exactly the same way. If you believe you have a problem that can not be fairly addressed at PCGS, you have not contacted Charlie in Customer Service and/or David Hall in the past 10 days. And, of course, I would have been happier getting one of those (4) coins to work, but I was very happy in the manner in which the coins failed and PCGS conducted its business. PCGS- PLEASE KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!! Wondercoin. P.S. I am still in Santa Clara, so I may not be commenting on the boards for another day.

fcloud

NIce response! It looks as if PCGS does have good customer relations. You wouldn't know it by some of the stuff said on these boards. Good luck on getting those two coins upgraded.

python1

Mitch,
Thanks for sharing that information with us.

coinrookie

Mitch did I miss something? It sounds like that there was not a very strong reasoning why the nickel and quarter did not get your anticipated grade. It is nice to see Mr. Hall taking such an interest.

prooflike

I see the DH public relations blitz as a real plus to the customer service end of PCGS, how long will it hold up though.

It is interesting that the blitz coincided with the departure announcement of Rick Montgomery.

TAP444

The meeting was nice,but the results were the same,so what is the point???
Tim

mdwoods

It sounds like 2 of your coins "might go" and 2 won't. At least you understand their point of view as to why the coins were graded as they were. I am pleased to hear of another story of how PCGS took the time to personally deal with your concerns. mdwoods

wondercoin

"The meeting was nice,but the results were the same,so what is the point???"

Tim: I guess feeling good about the process for starters. This isn't always about "winning"; it is often about doing the right thing.

Wondercoin

TAP444

At this pt I will hold judgement and see if it is just pr
or they finally realize the customer comes 1st.
Time will tell the true story
Tim

zenny

thanks Wondercoin

it's nice to hear your side of the story. even more impressive that even though you were unsuccessful you came away with, apparently, only good feelings.

z

Whitewashqtr

Mitch,

This is a very interesting post!! If you as a dealer and collector can get a personal interview with Mr. Hall about how your coins were graded, why couldnt the rest of us. I mean, I may not need to be there in person, but a telephone conversation would be helpful, so that I would know what PCGS was looking for and can limit my submissions to what I thought were their standards. This would save me a lot in fees!!!

I would be expecting the same courtesy, so PCGS better be prepared for me and many others to start seeking comments on grades that dont meet our expectations.

After awhile I would suspect that PCGS would not be able to keep this kind of customer service up and guys like Mitch would get an "inside track" to grading and the masses would just be left guessing. Sound fair to anyone? Not to me.

WWQ

TAP444

I am a small time collector,I had a problem with a crossover
and after a few calls and e-mails my coin was reviewed by there
chief grader and Mr.Hall, but I got the same results as Mitch
(think this may be a pattern)the coin looks really good but is just not quite there
but it was in a ngc slab????
so I guess we will have to wait and see
Tim

RegistryCoin

I put in some coins, and enjoyed personal service from David as well. I received emails and phone calls. In my opinion, David's efforts were "beyond the call of duty". My hat's off to his efforts.

wondercoin

WWQ: Instead of speculating that you will be treated differently, why not try to meet with David Hall, telephonically or otherwise, and see if you are not provided the same courtesy. I am not kidding about my impression of David Hall's desire to get back into PCGS customer service issues as they relate to grading.

Wondercoin.

Whitewashqtr

Wondercoin.

I didnt mean to come off that you get special treatment from PCGS and that I wont. My conversations with Charlie on the 83-P went very well and the coin has been sent in for regrade. I am awaiting a response / graders to finish. I figure it would be another week or two.

Anyway, you are right. The only way I will find out for sure is to contact David myself. I have a batch of coins I was holding off to send in.. but maybe I will get them together over the holiday weekend and send them in.. Some are real beauties. But we'll see. Afterwards, I will request the appropriate explanations on my grades (where appropriate).

If explanations are given that can help me, it may further the amount of my submissions.

Thanks for the advice. I always appreciate it, especially such a knowledgable person as you. Any help is always appreciated!! My collections are too valuable to ignor further education from PCGS itself!!

wondercoin

WWQ: Yes - your collections are far too valuable to not gain every drop of information you can concerning them. By the way, you beat me to the punch on your BIN on ebay on that 41(d) in MS67. If you care to make an enormous profit, just PM me with a proposal. If you sell me the coin, you can then confirm to the boards it is easy to make 2 weeks pay in 5 minutes if you know what you are doing in this hobby.

Wondercoin.