Why aren't submissions graded on a first in first out basis?

LanLord

I have been watching grading returns for several months now and it appears very hap-hazzard as to who gets their submissions graded and when. I have had some economy gradings in November, December and early January take only 21 days (not business days), but recently I received one back in 32 days and another is over 40. I am seeing some people who had submissions received by PCGS weeks ahead of me complaining that they hadn't received their grades yet (in mid January).

The Process of scheduling coins to be graded just doesn't seem like it should be that difficult, why are the times so unpredictible?

I imagine that this is just one more in a litany of complaints about time to grade, thanks for listening.

homerunhall

I believe most economy submissions are processed on a first-come-first-served basis. There a two problems that disrupt the flow. First, some orders have "bumps"...such as mis-labeled coins, or PR/MS questions, or variety attribution, etc...these go into the "investigate" line and get pushed back a little. Second, when the turn-around time gets lengthy, things have a tendency to get out of whack.