Recent changes in PCGS (good and bad)
tompkins
Posts: 413
There have been a number of changes in the new HRHR (Home Run Hall Regime)---some good, but several of the most recent ones are pretty negative toward PCGS customers. There are thread about many of these, but I thought I would consolidate my thoughts here, and welcome others' comments.
1. Regarding the banning of forum members----this has been beat to death. Yes, PCGS runs the forum, but I see no evidence that any warnings or the like were given. I think PCGS has lost a couple of good contributors and maybe also customers (who knows whether Greg will continue his $100K/year submitting rate). This was clearly handled very poorly by PCGS.
2. Regarding the new submission rates----good news about the higher priced submissions, in terms of the number of graders; but not so good news for us common folk. I do not submit many coins, and I have never submitted as many as ten at a time. So I guess I'm locked out. So much for the benefits of being a Collector's Club member.
2b. More on submissions---the new "Presidential review" service. This used to be an informal thing that was generally available on request, at least for pop-top (or nearly so) coins. This was true, as I understand it, both in the Rick Montgomery days as well as the current HRHR. I guess they see an opportunity for more revenue without really adding any additional service. I think we lose on this one.
2c. 50 days turnaround!!?!!?
3. David Hall grading opinion at Long Beach. I wasn't there on Friday. And I know it was plagued with long lines (not PCGS's fault). But in concept, I think this was a very positive move. I suspect the response may be part of the reason for the new charge for "presidential review" service.
4. David's participation on the forums---the Q and A is a valuable addition. Homerun Hall's participation on the Registry and US coin forums is less valuable. David seems to pop up periodically when he has a question (such as the new Roosevelt dime desginations) or, occasionally, to respond to a question or defend PCGS. But he is very absent for many discussions where his input would be valuable. And, when he does participate, there seems to be a lot of question about his sincerety (read the later posts on the Roosevelt Dime threads). I get the sense that he (or someone in the organization) reads all the threads very carefully, and, equally carefully, decide where to participate and where to stay out. Particularly regarding PCGS policy and plans, they seem to avoid at all costs.
I think the last week or so has done a lot to undermine PCGS's credibility. I hope they take action to resolve that and to once again make PCGS a reasonable company to do small scale business with. If they continue to irritate their customer base, there is a risk of this, in turn, eroding the value of PCGS slabbed coins (relative to other services)---while we all like to think we buy the coin, not the plastic, it is clear that the plastic does provide a premium to the price, and, as the owner of many PCGS graded coins, I would like to see this premium retained.
Pete
1. Regarding the banning of forum members----this has been beat to death. Yes, PCGS runs the forum, but I see no evidence that any warnings or the like were given. I think PCGS has lost a couple of good contributors and maybe also customers (who knows whether Greg will continue his $100K/year submitting rate). This was clearly handled very poorly by PCGS.
2. Regarding the new submission rates----good news about the higher priced submissions, in terms of the number of graders; but not so good news for us common folk. I do not submit many coins, and I have never submitted as many as ten at a time. So I guess I'm locked out. So much for the benefits of being a Collector's Club member.
2b. More on submissions---the new "Presidential review" service. This used to be an informal thing that was generally available on request, at least for pop-top (or nearly so) coins. This was true, as I understand it, both in the Rick Montgomery days as well as the current HRHR. I guess they see an opportunity for more revenue without really adding any additional service. I think we lose on this one.
2c. 50 days turnaround!!?!!?
3. David Hall grading opinion at Long Beach. I wasn't there on Friday. And I know it was plagued with long lines (not PCGS's fault). But in concept, I think this was a very positive move. I suspect the response may be part of the reason for the new charge for "presidential review" service.
4. David's participation on the forums---the Q and A is a valuable addition. Homerun Hall's participation on the Registry and US coin forums is less valuable. David seems to pop up periodically when he has a question (such as the new Roosevelt dime desginations) or, occasionally, to respond to a question or defend PCGS. But he is very absent for many discussions where his input would be valuable. And, when he does participate, there seems to be a lot of question about his sincerety (read the later posts on the Roosevelt Dime threads). I get the sense that he (or someone in the organization) reads all the threads very carefully, and, equally carefully, decide where to participate and where to stay out. Particularly regarding PCGS policy and plans, they seem to avoid at all costs.
I think the last week or so has done a lot to undermine PCGS's credibility. I hope they take action to resolve that and to once again make PCGS a reasonable company to do small scale business with. If they continue to irritate their customer base, there is a risk of this, in turn, eroding the value of PCGS slabbed coins (relative to other services)---while we all like to think we buy the coin, not the plastic, it is clear that the plastic does provide a premium to the price, and, as the owner of many PCGS graded coins, I would like to see this premium retained.
Pete
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Comments
Pennies make dollars, and dollars make slabs!
....inflation must be kicking in again this dollar says spend by Dec. 31 2004!
Erik
<< <i>2c. 50 days turnaround!!?!!? >>
50 Business days!!! I have had an economy order in for over two months!!
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>when I sent in my submission there was 30 days posted on the website for economy submissions. >>
That would be the same for all of us waiting on submissions from January. They were already taking longer than the 30 days, the new notice simply acknowledged that. My last was 42 days, and it was completed a few days after the notice was posted.
BTW, in case anybody's interested, the 50 day notice was originally posted 02.07.03.
Russ, NCNE
They don't take affect until 04.01.03, $12 for moderns, $16 for economy, 10 coin minimum.
Russ, NCNE
Pete
roadrunner.
2. Bad
2b. Good
2c. Bad
3. Good
4. Good
My posts viewed
since 8/1/6
Mike
Lincoln Wheats (1909 - 1958) Basic Set - Always Interested in Upgrading!
They seem to be positioning themselves as the "high end" grading company, complete with the prerequisite snooty attitude, and now have the fees to match. They should finish with the charade and change the company name to "Dealer's Universe". Then ban everyone who can't afford ANACONDA and Coinguy's monsters. Would make Bear very happy
1. banning of forum members - you are just placing way, way to much importance on this forum. it just shouldn't impact your life that much!!! it doesn't amount to much in the big scheme of things. don't know about you, but i enjoy my coin-club meetings (w/ real live people w/ real faces) a he11uva lot more than reading anonymous drivel on the forum! try it, you might like it.
2. new submission rates - simple solution: learn to grade coins yourself. learn to LIKE how you grade your own coins.
2b. "Presidential review" - see #2
2c. 50 days turnaround!!?!!? - see #2
3. see #2
4. David's participation on the forums - see #1
K S
<< <i>I do not like the $30 fee nor the 10 coin minimum. $300 or more a crack! >>
The 10 coin minimum applies only to moderns ($12) and economy ($16). There is no minimum for regular ($30).
Russ, NCNE