What's your opinon on dealers stickers on slabs you can't remove?

relayer

I just received 5 slabs today and every one had a permanent label with the dealers’ bar code on it, along with some color coded stickers added just for fun.

So first I tried to peel it off, and because it’s the permanent kind, the paper just tears because the glue holding in on isn’t going anywhere.

Then I have to try and scrape it off with my fingernails. After a few minutes of that you’re down to the just the glue residue, which has smeared over the hologram.

To try and get the residue out, I need chemicals. I start with 409 and it takes off some, but the glue residue mostly just gets smeared around more. Then I try some Windex, which pretty much does the same as the 409. So I figure I need harsher chemicals and get out nail polish remover. If you scrub hard enough, you can start to get most of the residue but it’s never really gone. It’s now blended into the hologram.

I once got a batch of coins for DHRC and they all had permanent bar code labels on. After spending 15 minutes trying to remove one I called up to complain and they said they bought the wrong kind of labels. She said if I send them back she’d take them downstairs and get them re-holdered. I asked how long it would take and she said a day. 10 days later I called back asking where they were and was told since I returned 20 slabs they had to go thru the normal 30 day service, and it took 3 weeks to get them back.

I think dealers who do this should try removing their labels and see what it does to the holder. From a buyer’s point of view, instead of enjoying my new coins I’m pouring chemicals all over the holder trying to remove the glue somebody decided to put on it. Oh well, I’ve only got two more labels to scrape off and then I can enjoy my coins tomorrow. They're really nice coins.

Anybody else have encounter this problem, or do you just leave the dealers sticker on?

Placid

I remove them. So far I haven't had any I couldn't remove without a litte rubbing.

MastaHanky

I don't really mind them, but my dealer just pust a tiny sticker on the back of the slab in the label area, so it's very unintrusive.

MacCoin

I hate the stickers. I haven't seen any I can't remove if I had it would go back or be set free of the slab.

BillJones

Try "Goo Gone" I have never had a sticker residue that could stand up to it.

I think that it is very unprofessional to sell slabs with gunk on them. Peelable labels are available, and one would think that bar code strips could be found with the same type of adhesive.

dorkkarl

if you can't remove the sticker from the slab, you might consider just removing the slab from the coin!

K S

JoyofCollecting

I saw a dealer the other day just scan the bar code on the slab and his screen then gave him every bit of information on the coin in the universe...not just his cost. It was kinda neat.

1956Quarter

A little WD-40 on a rag will wipe that gum off easily.

nwcs

I always remove them. If a dealer has to put a sticker on a slab, it should be a removable one.

agentjim007

Listen to Homer...WD-40 WILL work

robertpr

Goo gone, goof off and other similar products usually melt plastic and are only intended for metal surfaces, and I would advise against it.

pontiacinf

we use wd-40 to take off the ticketmaster braclets and reuse them...shows no evidence of tampering...something in wd-40 neutralizes the gum

LanLord

If you keep the coin for about 10 years the glue will dry up and the label falls off. The dry glue turns to powder and can be easily rubbed off. I had this happen to a number of old slabs I have had for a long time.

Takes alot of patience though.

misterR

I have only encountered the small easily removable stickers but sometimes a little residue is left on the slab. You can press another tape on the residue over and over and it will lift it off. I use Scotch clear packaging as my residue lifter. Does not leave hairlines on the slab and no smelly chemicals.

dram

Try a little Crown Royal works great

Gilbert

RobertPR,

I don't know what type of "Goo Gone" you have been using, but mine indicates that it can be used on hard surfaces, carpeting, upholstery and clothing.

I agree with Bill Jones, and since I began using it, I haven't found another product that's as good or easy to use. Peel the label, squirt a little on and wipe all the adhesive off. Plus, with its "citrus power" it smells a lot better than WD-40.

Trime

I share your frustration. Goldbergs auction labels also stick very tightly.
I have also heard from multiple sources that Goo gone is safe and effective.
If concerned follow with alcohol swab and then lightly moisened cloth , wipe dry.

remumc

I usually start by using a hair dryer on the sticker to warm up the glue, this works well on old stickers also, then peel off the sticker. Often, the sticker and glue both just peal off easily. Any residue can be removed with goo gone.

Wayne

cointoast

I know this will sound a little crazy....But use margarine to remove it...just rub some in and wipe off with a cloth using a little pressure....

kranky

Goo Gone works great for me.

cointoast, you use margarine?! I thought you used only butter on your toast.

ccrdragon

Any kind of cooking oil (which is what margarine mainly is) will removed most types of adhesives.

As for the original question - the 'super stick' labels piss me off too!

FinallyHere

Homer beat me to it, but I was going to suggest 4D40 as well. It does work and I have used it for years. I usually take all my stickers off prior to sending any coins out. No stickers...no problems for the customers. I also use Brasso on all the holders when I buy a coin. Every coin I buy has the holder cleaned prior to shipping out. A little brasso on a rag will take all the fine scratches out of the holders and make them look like new again...in some cases better. It goes on like wax, let it dry for a few seconds to a haze and then just remove with a rag. It's easier than sending coins in for new holders, cheaper and in most cases, unless the holder has really been abused and scratched up, it really does work well.

Mike

website

DesertLizard

Never mind the stickers!

How about all these PCGS slabs with broken tabs? Or the slabs with scuffed obverse / reverse? What do people do to abuse slabs so much?

Flash

Try a little Crown Royal works great


I tried Crown Royal. The sticky goo on the slab didn't come off, but after trying it a couple times I really didn't care!

What? You meant to use the Crown Royal ON the slab? Well, why didn't you say so? (hic)

telecoin

I don't know why you're complaining...a few strategically placed stickers should be no problem.

Bulldog

If I see a sticker on a coin slab, I skip over it. No sense in scratching the heck out of the slab, or pouring chemicals on it, to make it go away. Geesh they have Numbers on the slabs, Aint that enough to maintain inventory?

Bulldog

Bulldog

Sicker Linker

Bulldog

supercoin

You want GOO GONE (which is definitely NOT the same as Goof-Off, which will eat your slab). With care, GOO GONE can even be used to remove residue that's on the hologram.



And yes, I agree stickers on coins is tacky.

supercoin

PS -- I would not recommend WD-40, it is designed to wick into small crevices and slabs are not airtight. It also leaves behind an oily residue (which is the point of it, after all).

Similarly I wouldn't recommend Brasso which is sometimes mentioned, due to its effect on metal.

GOO GONE is really cheap and a bottle will last you approximately forever.

braddick

<< <i>You want GOO GONE (which is definitely NOT the same as Goof-Off, which will eat your slab). With care, GOO GONE can even be used to remove residue that's on the hologram. And yes, I agree stickers on coins is tacky. >>



You mean this stuff is NOT a contraceptive?!

airplanenut

<< <i>I don't know why you're complaining...a few strategically placed stickers should be no problem. >>

Nice 1984-D

robertpr

OOps sorry yeah I guess goo gone is safe but goof off is definitely not.

michael

yes if you ruib hard enough and for a long time you ruin the holigram

i agree i hate dealers stickers on the slabs just take off the sticker if you can and put it on the invoice and save it then take wd-40 and rub it on the sticky part of the sticker and wait a few minutes the strickers and the sticky stuff coins off easy and it doesnot hurt the slab or the coin just take a little soap and warm water to remove all of the wd-40 and do both applications carefully!!

please dealers do not use stickers on slabs if you want a sticker use a cut post it note pad it sticks as well and dooes not leave this residue and if the sticker is on long enough it really adhears to the slab!!!

good luick and let me know how it turns out!

sincerely michael

becker

To reward myself for reading the entire thread, I will confirm that WD-40 is my product of choice.
To hopefully add something constructive, I would suggest that Mothers Plastic Polish is the best chemical I've found to remove hairline scratches and scuff marks from the viewing area of holders. It may sound insane, but I've passed on some nice coins because they were in messed up holders. In some cases, the time and expense involved in getting a coin reholdered just isn't worth the effort.
Best,
Tom