What is Heritage thinking?

agentjim007 · May 27, 2014 9:58PM

Doesn't anyone review the photos. This might be an interesting coin but I'll never know. Pay 5% plus postage both ways to take a look? No way. Did you ever return a coin to Heritage from one of there internet only auctions? Not a no questions asked return, a major hassle. LINK

Edit: even worse than I thought. If you go to PCGS cert. Verification and look this coin up you'll find it ran in a previous Heritage auction with a lighter picture. Coin is a POS. Got returned, now a dark picture. Looks like they decided to make a living on returns. That's OK, Heritage needs the money.

DaveWcoins · May 27, 2014 10:49PM

They try to do a good job with their photos. Looks like this one may have slipped by. You may want to drop them a line and let them know, and they will very likely post a more viewer-friendly image of that coin.

crypto79 · May 27, 2014 10:53PM

Their % of successful picture of their many many coins is higher than mine of my family.

agentjim007 · May 27, 2014 10:53PM

Read my edit.

LindeDad · May 27, 2014 10:56PM

What you don't want a black blob?

Have to admit Proof are hard to image sometimes.

agentjim007 · May 27, 2014 10:59PM

You take a picture then look at it, how hard is that?

CoinRaritiesOnline · May 27, 2014 11:05PM

<< You take a picture then look at it, how hard is that? >>

It's easy if you shoot 1 coin. Harder if you shoot 20,000. Seriously - email them and ask for a better pic and see what happens.

agentjim007 · May 27, 2014 11:10PM

They have a better picture from the previous auction this coin sold in. What's easier using an acceptable picture you already have or take another picture. Heritage should be very happy they have many cheerleaders here

agentjim007 · May 27, 2014 11:11PM

I don't need another picture, I've now seen this POS.

If 20,000 pictures is so difficult Hire more help

Coinosaurus · May 27, 2014 11:52PM

<< I don't need another picture, I've now seen this POS.

If 20,000 pictures is so difficult Hire more help >>

They've been filling the trade rags with help wanted ads the last couple months.

blu62vette · May 27, 2014 11:57PM

Full slab shots dont do many coins justice but when you do as many as them it is hard to do closeups and slab shots of them all.

MidLifeCrisis · May 28, 2014 12:00AM

<< Full slab shots dont do many coins justice but when you do as many as them it is hard to do closeups and slab shots of them all. >>

That answer is just not good enough. agentjim007 demands perfection.

MGLICKER · May 28, 2014 12:02AM

Don't like the image, then it is best to pass.

ColonelJessup · May 28, 2014 12:11AM

Once their perfect record has shattered, it's obvious there are other bad pictures lurking out there.

I'd heard rumors of this, but I'm still skeptical. Definitely/probably/possibly a systemic problem.

Could you just review this one particular auction and document for us ALL their mistakes?

I'm sure it would be useful to other members to know how seriously this problem will affect us all.

agentjim007 · May 28, 2014 12:21AM

That answer is just not good enough. agentjim007 demands perfection.

You guys are funny. I wouldn't expect a picture any better than they took the first time. These are the professionals. They make a lot of money. I'm certain you have the same leniency for all the professionals you deal with.

silverpop · May 28, 2014 12:32AM

so many factors affect the way a photo is done and comes out it's not even funny

BryceM · May 28, 2014 1:05AM

Seems the auction houses can't win. If they point out every problem, the consignor freaks out. If they don't point out every potential problem the potential bidders freak out. If they (heaven forbid) assume that a TPG has graded a coin correctly, people with other opinions will freak out. This photos is one of the worst I've seen from them, but a few of these are bound to happen. The consignor has more reason to complain than the OP.

There's been quite a rash of auction company bashing going on lately. I don't disagree that they sometimes do things that are real head-scratchers, but let's face it, they turn over a tremendous volume of coins. They undoubtedly pay the most attention to high-end material, major auctions, and their largest clients. Errors will happen. Did the OP call them? E-mail them? What was their response?

If anyone thinks Heritage runs their business poorly, maybe you could point out their ever-dwindling market share, impending insolvency, or terrible customer service. Since the opposite appears to be true, I'd say by and large they're providing a service that a number of clients find to be useful and they're doing it in such a way that they're market leaders. They're not perfect. Every large organization has its problems. I'm sure the industry-wide transition to 17.5% premium has fueled some of this protracted vitriol. I does bug me that they are taking such a large cut each and every time a coin turns over, but what are you going to do about it? When someone else can do it better for cheaper, we'll have a new market leader.

AMRC · May 28, 2014 1:09AM

Another huge conspiracy unveiled.

What if that was your coin you had consigned to Heritage? Now how are they doing? If you think returns are a profit center you do not really understand the business.

brg5658 · May 28, 2014 1:10AM

This thread is a bit extreme IMO. If you were really interested in the coin a simple call to Heritage would get them to take better images, I'm almost sure. As much as you like to dog on Heritage, their customer service is very receptive.

Oh, wait, I guess it's just easier to start a rant here....nevermind.

MGLICKER · May 28, 2014 1:13AM

Image looks fine to me.

Essentially a widget for heritage and does not warrant a half hour of photographic engagement.

Broadstruck · May 28, 2014 1:13AM

Check the link as Heritage just re-imaged your rant example

agentjim007 · May 28, 2014 1:23AM

I knew they read these threads

Type2 · May 28, 2014 1:55AM

The power of the board.......

MidLifeCrisis · May 28, 2014 2:05AM

<< The power of the board.......

>>

No, it's not cool.

This should have been handled - or at least an attempt should have been made to handle this - privately, directly with Heritage.

If you have an issue with someone, first bring it to their attention and allow them an opportunity to correct it before you make it public.

A little courtesy goes a long way, whether you're dealing with one person or a large company.

MGLICKER · May 28, 2014 2:09AM

Very sage advice, MidLifeCrisis, that many of us can take a lesson from.

ColonelJessup · May 28, 2014 2:10AM

<< I knew they read these threads

>>

Let me ask. That big grin

Is that trash talk? Like taunting after a touchdown?.

.... The forces of Truth and Justice etc ....

Some would also surmise a personal gain manipulated by leveraging your sense of victimization into a public triumph . . .

.

What is Heritage thinking?

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