Why are "Reholder/TrueView Images" Sooooo Slow

CarsonCityGold

I have an invoice (9046778) in for reholder and trueview images only. It was logged in on 2-1-06 and the images were emailed to me by Phill within a couple of days of log in. Its now been a month and I don't have my coins back (nor is the invoice posted with a return date). The anticipated time according to PCGS is 10 to 20 days and add 1 to 3 days for imaging. These are calender days and NOT business days. This is the second time this has happened to me. The last time took 7 weeks. I had another invoice (9046773) logged in on the same day 2-1-06 for regular grading service and imaging and I received those coins back yesterday! Why do the ones that are being graded take a shorter time than the ones they aren't grading?? Thanks for letting me vent.

Cameonut

With my latest TrueView sub in January, Phil finished the images within a few days of receipt at PCGS.

Then it only took another 3.5 weeks before I got them back.

It just goes to show that PCGS's output is not constrained by the professionals - but by the other steps in the process.

There have been other threads that have pointed this out. It seems to me that PCGS would benefit from mapping their value stream and fully understanding where the bottlenecks are and the process times involved in each step. I would bet that by hiring a few people to insure the bottleneck is in the grading room, PCGS would become a far more efficient and profitable enterprise. And if you forget about profit for a second, think of the improved customer satisfaction generated when you can actually get your coins back in a reasonable amount of time.

We hire temporary workers all the time to keep production fluctuations from disappointing our customers. If we disappoint our customers, they go someplace else. Such is the nature of competition.

I really hope that PCGS can improve their throughput and bring their deliveries back in line. If they don't, their customers will find satisfaction elsewhere. I also hope they get it fixed before they find themselves in the #2 position. Great companies put customer satisfaction #1 on their corporate priority list.

RYK

With my latest TrueView sub in January, Phil finished the images within a few days of receipt at PCGS.

Then it only took another 3.5 weeks before I got them back.

I had the same experience, so I stopped sending coins in for imaging.

Cladiator

I sent an order of 10 coins in and they were logged in as received on 02/20/2006. I've had no word as of yet about anything since. You guys that got your photos within a few days are lucky. 11 days and no pics for me. I was hoping to have the coins back in hand for the Santa Clara Expo the last weekend in March. Guess that's not going to happen.

BECOKA

I usually get photos within 5 or 6 days. I don't mind the wait since I have the photos to look at. So unless you plan on selling quickly, does it matter?

BTW last time I talked with someone from PCGS they confirmed that the constraint is not with the professionals. They are working on getting more equipment and people to run it. This should help the throughput a little. My guess is they will take thier time doing it though.

Cladiator

I wouldn't normally mind the wait but I was hoping to have them back in time to show the coins (all new additions) to some collector friends at the only big show a year I get to go to. Oh well.

Cladiator

Infact there is another odd thing about my order. Below are all the coins as shown by the PCGS website. Why are 3 of them shown as no grade available? These were all PCGS graded coins already in slabs...just in for reholder and photo. Why would the grade not be avaiable then? The ones shown as no grade available are actually AU58, AU53 and AU53.


1829 H10C US No grade available
1829 H10C US AU55
1830 H10C US No grade available
1832 H10C US AU50
1832 H10C US No grade available
1832 H10C US AU53
1833 H10C US AU58
1834 H10C US AU58
1832 10C US AU53
Washington Penny LIBERTY AND SECURITY US VF35BN

Date Received: 2/20/2006

ellewood

As with any new service, it's probably going to take some time to iron out the kinks. The important thing is the Phil Arnold is doing a tremendous job with imaging and, while we're on the topic, he has been VERY responsive to me thru PM's when I have had questions about the service. I am getting ready to send in a spectacular proof IKE set for imaging and I'm really looking forward to seeing how well he can bring out the cameo contrast in each coin.

Russ

<< <i>Why are 3 of them shown as no grade available? >>



Probably a data entry kink. Remember that this ability to see them in process is brand new. I'm sure there are bugs to be worked out.

Russ, NCNE

Cameonut

<< <i>The important thing is the Phil Arnold is doing a tremendous job with imaging and, while we're on the topic, he has been VERY responsive to me thru PM's when I have had questions about the service. >>




If it weren't for Phil and his great work, I would just image the coins myself.

Cladiator

Aparently you just have to gripe a bit in a post like I did today and the wheels get greased

Just got home from work and the pics are done and MAGNIFICENT! Thank you very much Phil.