Barry Suppler vs ACG

jom

Got this note from a forum member:

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My colleague, Barry Stuppler is being brought before the ANA board, for mis-conduct, by Ms. Diane Hager, president of Accugrade.
The hearing, which is open to the public, is to take place in the Charlotte Convention Center, 3/20/03, 4P. This is at the same time that dealers are setting up for the convention, that is taking place 3/21-3.
If any of you are able to attend the hearing in its entirety or even just part of it, please show Barry your support, as it appears that the charges are essentially for giving his opinion about the value of some coins that had been encapsulated by ACG.
**********************

So for those of you attending the ANA Convention and are "fans" of ACG drop into the hearing. It should be a real "howler".

jom

MadMonk

Can we email ANA with our opinions?

roadrunner

Funny that you can get taken to the carpet for speaking the truth.
Where's the FTC when you need them. Shouldn't ACG be on the top of their "short" list??

roadrunner

Outhaul

I have already informed ANA that if Barry is so much as even wrist-slapped I am withdrawing my membership. He seems to be the only one at ANA that haves the sack to call them as he sees them.

Cheers,

Bob

ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS ACG SUCKS

wingedliberty

ACG is the extension of satan's dominion. If the ANA drops Barry, I will drop my membership in the ANA like a pile of bricks. We need to stand up to the long arm of satan.

Brian.

nwcs

I think it starts right after the grading class is over. So if that is the case, I'll try to attend while I'm there. It'll be interesting to watch! Maybe I'll take my camera and post pics when I get back home.

robertpr

I don't think Satan can be photographed, so you might just get pictures of Barry standing around in an empty room.

nwcs

No, that's dracula. Unless you're thinking of Diane the Impaler.

fcloud

I wish I was going to be in Charlotte to watch. It should be interesting.

airplanenut

Everyone wear Diane Hagar wigs

Outhaul

Cool

JT

I received the same note, and I'll tell all of you that I literally dropped everything and wrote to Barry, detailing my experiences, my assessment, and my thoughts. Including my personal feelings as to whether I'd ever consider buying an ACG coin sight unseen, versus a similar dated and graded coin from PCGS, NGC, ANACS, or ICG.

I received this note from Barry this morning. "JT, You're a highly respected numismatist. If you could put your feelings into a notarized statement and send it to me immediately, I'd put it into evidence at the hearing. Please let know if it's possible, as I need it by Wednesday 3/13. Thank you very much for your support. Barry."

Believe me, I will have that notarized statement out via overnight mail this coming Monday.

Unfortunately, I do not know Barry very well. I really don't know how that's possible, but we just haven't crossed paths much. But I will do all I can to support his position in this endeavor.

I would also suggest that if any of you feel you have something to contribute on Barry's behalf that you do so. It would be best if he had hard copy, notarized statements as he requested from me. But I'm sure e-mails would also be helpful. His e-mail is listed in every copy of The Numismatist, but just for those of you who may want to offer something, here it is. Barry@coinmag.com

One very important comment. If you want to help Barry, make sure that your comments are truthful above all, and if at all possible, keep your comments to the point. In other words, try not to let emotions tarnish an otherwise worthwhile and helpful comment.

Best wishes to all. -- JT

JT

Just another quick note. If anyone would like to know if what they have in mind can help Barry, I'll gladly offer my thoughts, if you want. I was on the ANA Board (or is it bored?), and I was also on the Mediation Committee, so I know how they work, and I know first hand what they look at. Also, I know that those letters that are short and to the point tend to carry more weight, plus they're more likely to be completely read by the Board. I know that statement my disappoint some, but I know there are some current Board members who do not read everything. That in itself is a shame.

Best wishes - JT

wingedliberty

Keep us informed, lets hope the ANA does not make the mistake of supporting the forces of evil.

Brian.

Twowood

Much ado about nothing! Twowood

JT

I will fight for the right of anyone to speak their mind, including this may be "much ado about nothing."

With all due respect, if someone feels this is "much ado about nothing", maybe they don't realize or appreciate the personal and professional sacrafice pending by someone on the ANA Board, and who finally has had the balls to speak their mind publically.

I often see complaints asking why the ANA doesn't do anything about Accugrade. The fact is that they (Accugrade) likely have not broken any laws, or likely have not violated the code of ethics of the ANA. But does that make the actions right? Notice I used the words "likely", as I don't know everything that Accugrade has done.

Accugrade states, something to the effect that, they use the "Accugrade System." In my mind, that means they don't use the ANA grading guidelines like virtually every other grading service, and a large majority of dealers, but rather their own system, or their own guidelines. I don't ever recall them stating they use the ANA grading guidelines. In my mind, that is legal. That does not mean that I like it, it does not mean I respect it, and it certainly doesn't mean that I would use Accugrade, or even bid on an Accugrade slabbed coin.

Best wishes all. -- JT.

Twowood

Repeat...Much ado about nothing. Twowood

jeffnpcb

One more time, please explain or reference an article in regards to this story. After reading the report off ASA-Accugrade.com site{PNG-ITCA response}, people that live in glass houses don't throw stones. Gives you a different perspective of PCGS, Davd Hall and a few other grading companies.

Read the FTC reports and that is black and white. Stuppler and Hager is all gray until it is in black and white!!

Coinosaurus

According to this week's Coin World, March 20th is the showdown date in Charlotte for a public hearing on the issue. The article says it's gonna be public, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if the ACG contingent gets shouted out of the room.

danreller

JOM,

Can you provide more specifics describing what mis-conduct Barry has committed? I would like to contribute to Barry's defense.

Sincerely,

Dan Eller

jeffnpcb

I WANT THE TRUE FACTS FROM BOTH SIDES BEFORE I COULD POSSIBLY MAKE A DECISION EITHER WAY!! There is talk about dropping out of the ANA if the ruling is in favor of ACG! Loyalty to a cause is one thing, alienation is another. Let's see the facts and watch the chips fall where they may! I have yet to see a report on what Stuppler did to warrant this action,buy everyone is ready to jump on his side without knowing the facts on this case!

Is Stuppler innocent regardless of the facts!

dbldie55

The story that was told when this started was that someone asked Barry his opinion of ACG. He gave that party his opinion, and when hager found out, they brought the charge up.

He is being charged with giving his opinion. ACG feels that he should not do that in his position as an ANA governor.

richbeat

JT:

Unfortunately I have nothing to contribute to this, I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate what you're doing.

MadMarty

I voted for Barry when I got my ANA ballot. I have talked to him many times and hold his opinion in high respect. I'm sure the ANA will do the right thing (too bad they couldn't get those crap slabs off the market). I won't be at the hearing, but I will be following it. For everyone here who as been bashing PCGS, remember it could be worse, all we could have is AGC..

nwcs

Rats... I just looked at the grading class schedule and it goes to 5 PM on that day. So I won't get to hear about it. I remember reading here that Coinguy and Sahara coins will be at the show, so I'll probably find out from them what happened.