<< <i>Just call Wayne Berkeley at ext. 262 ... he is sitting there waiting to help folks with bidding problems, but he tells me he has not heard from anyone in months! >>
<< <i>The reason the fix it guy has not gotten any calls is probably due to the fact that most of us got tired of their arcade site and just left! >>
<< <i>Sorry...but their site is not fixable. >>
<< <i>The message has been delivered. >>
Yes, what they all said. That last comment is frankly the most damning. The message HAS been delivered. It has been delivered multiple times by multiple people. It has been delivered by people who spend way more with Stack's than I do. It has been delivered by phone and in person to people as high up as you can go within Stack's. And yet the site is still atrocious.
A year and a half ago, Heritage made a change to the way that pictures were displayed on their site. I understand what they were trying to do, but the results weren't so great for bidders. The issue was reported on this board around the close of business on a Thursday. They acknowledged the problem by the close of business on Friday, and they fixed the problem by the close of business on Monday. They tried something, it didn't work, and they fixed it. I have no problems with they way that Heritage handled things.
Does everyone here remember a year or two ago when the Preview button was broken when posting on these message boards? This isn't an auction site; PCGS makes no revenue from us moochers. It wasn't even like we need a Preview button. Yes, it was annoying that it didn't work, but we all got along without it. Still, PCGS somehow managed to crack open the message board software that (a) they didn't write in the first place and (b) came from a company that no longer exists, and they got it fixed. I don't think they even took credit for it. I might have missed something, but it seemed to suddenly start working again with no notice from anyone.
Compare all of the to Stack's, who apparently are now claiming that they don't know of any problems with their site?
<< <i>I am wondering if I am the only person in the world that has *zero* problems with their site. >>
The problems are endemic to the site; you couldn't not have problems. You might have trained yourself to work around the problems. There might also be some additional browser-specific problems. The worst problems in my mind are in the core site itself -- and the refusal by Stack's to do anything about them.
<< <i>I am currently considering whether to consign another group of items to the next Americana sale and if I do so, will be increasing my reserves to cover my ass... >>
As it happens, I've consigned to the January Americana sale for (goes to check) the last four years, and five of the last six. I'm in the middle of preparing a consignment this year also. There's nothing for me to consider: That consignment isn't going to Stack's.
Dimeman. Wayne tells me a similar story. No calls to him in months, but when he did get calls in the past, in most cases it was a browser problem of the customer easily fixed. He mentioned that the same customer could not do business on Delta Airlines website either at that time.
So, I have an easy solution...
Anyone with a true complaint that wants it fixed please call Wayne and he will either fix it himself or direct that person to the person at SB who can. And, things that are unfixable after that call to Wayne, I would be most interested in reading about. Those would be very useful posts here as opposed to nonspecific posts stating that they simply do not like Stacks.
Just trying to help those who truly want some help.
Wondercoin.
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
<< <i>I am wondering if I am the only person in the world that has *zero* problems with their site. >>
I currently have zero problems with their site. I was able to do this by getting discouraged enough by what the site has been like that I haven't bothered going back in months. Specific problems? I no longer remember. In general, I did not find it user friendly nor easy to use. If I could totally ignore the USMint's website after their last "upgrade", I would, as I find that to be in the same category of not being user friendly.
I have no technical problems with the site on both my desktop and my browser, but there are a TON of simple useability items...
Things I don't like about Stacks.com
1. When I'm browsing and login (say I want to place a bid) after login I get taken to a generic page, not the page I was on where I wanted to bid.
2. The left top menu is "BROWSE Auctions". Most people actually want to SEARCH. The top level "SEARCH" is for the archives.
3. After I click "BROWSE Auctions", I don't have a search function, instead I have to select an auction.
4. After I click on a single auction, I can finally select all the auctions to search for a coin. Except - on my tablet - I click one, wait for the refresh and then click the 2nd. On my desktop, I can click fast enough that I can check both before the refresh happens.
5. Now I can search, except I can't search for a range of dates, for a mintmark or between PCGS and NGC coins. Say I'm looking for Seated Liberty dime, 1853-1860 O...
* Expand dimes and wait a few seconds (these should be client side so they are instantaneous, not server side postbacks) * Click on Seated Liberty (wait for postback)
And I'm stuck. I can't search for a range of dates, I can't sort the list of 78 Seated Liberty dimes by date and I can't view more than 25 at a time (OK, I can scroll to the bottom, change the records to 75 and only have two pages to view). I can't search just for XF40-XF45 coins.
The sequence is (auction, lot #) so 1853s occur in two clumps.
If you are used to reading an auction catalog, this feels very familiar. However, this is the electronic age and it's time to move past a simple port of a catalog to the screen.
I also really, really hate your practice of lumping several low grade coins into a single lot, ESPECIALLY when you have a clean VG8 lumped with three details graded junkers.
-----Burton ANA 50+ year/Life Member (now "Emeritus") Author: 3rd Edition of the SampleSlabs book, https://sampleslabs.info/
<< <i>At some point we are going to run outta tubes and Stacks will be back on top, just wait. >>
They bought a warehouse-full of Univac computer tubes because they figured that transistors were over-trending. Doubled down by going long ice for anticipated uptick when the tiny gizmos started frying. Used the same philosophy in the abacus market six months after Texas Instruments came out with the display calculator. But quickly reversed course, dumped the abacuses into the Hong Kong black market, and took a more sophisticated direction with slide rules.
They are waiting.....
What tubes are you talking about? You mean coin tubes? Go physical long whenever you can. 10,000 cases of Stacks cache of dollar tubes alone, and uncounted for smaller denominations, all ruined by Hurricane Sandy, crusted green with algae from a flooded underground vault next to the NYC Wine Investors Depository.
The coins were salvageable.
They were expertly expertly conserved and restored thru the anonymous services provided by C-15 - (Coin Cosmetologists, Contractors, Co-Conspirators, Chronic Colluders, Chemists, Conservationists Communal Criminal Cabal and Child Care Center. All operating under franchise from the Money-Laundering Division of the Illuminnati Fine and Dark Arts Administration .
A word to the wise. Chinese counterfeits are everywhere on Ebay.
I'm just here tonite to free-associate because I saw a Robin Williams movie earlier.
Those tubes?
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - Geo. Orwell
I click on current auctions and I get pictures of either Chinese food or spark pugs for outboard motors. When is Stacks going to offer good deals on dog food?
You are confusing Stacks with eBay. Seriously - when eBay mails you a search result and I click on it on my tablet - I get taken to the main page. Then when I go back to the email and click again, I get taken to the auction pictured in the email.
Or are you talking about the quality of certain of the coins for sale on Stacks.com?
-----Burton ANA 50+ year/Life Member (now "Emeritus") Author: 3rd Edition of the SampleSlabs book, https://sampleslabs.info/
SB lost a huge bid from me. I bid 1000 on a coin that was currently 500 and the site/software would not accept my bid. it was in the final minutes and I didn't have time to try again after their system crashed. Coin sold for 500. If I was the consignor----I'd be LIVID!
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
Walkerfan. I may well have been the consignor on that coin and I would not have been "livid". People live or die by last second bids. I personally bid early in many instances counting on things like this happening to secure my victory (you would be surprised just how often this happens at plenty of auction venues or the other guy forgets to bid at the last second for whatever reason). It is true that had you been successful in entering your bid the lot may have sold for $525 or higher. But, had you bid even sooner, the lot may have sold for a great deal more. If i was chasing a $1,000 valued coin sitting at $500 all week, I may have very well placed a $600 or $700 "safety bid" in the last 24 hours. If you snipe for the "win", you must take the good with the bad. Within the last year, I was chasing a coin at auction I thought could be worth about $30,000+ (an upgrade coin). It was sitting at around $2,000 at the time and I placed a "safety bid" of around $5,000 just to keep me getting outbid notices and my mind in the game. Come auction day, I was being pulled in ten directions with family matters and forgot to return to the site to increase my bid!! Of course, I remembered not too long after the auction ended (you know that feeling when you mess up and remember you forgot to bid on something important right after an auction ends). I sadly went to the site to see the closing price (fearing $5,250 of course - the worst possible scenario). Instead, I was showing as the winner around $4,800!!! The coin upgraded the first time through and has a Price Guide value in excess of $30,000! Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good! Thank goodness for that "safety bid".
Since Stacks is getting pretty beat up on this thread, here is a "plug" for them for something very cool coming up in their Baltimore Sale. There is a spectacular run of US error coins in the Stacks/Bowers Baltimore sale coming up in less than two weeks! Check them out! Full disclosure: I do not own any of these coins, but I am assisting the collector and board member that does.
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
<< <i>At some point we are going to run outta tubes and Stacks will be back on top, just wait. >>
They bought a warehouse-full of Univac computer tubes because they figured that transistors were over-trending. Doubled down by going long ice for anticipated uptick when the tiny gizmos started frying. Used the same philosophy in the abacus market six months after Texas Instruments came out with the display calculator. But quickly reversed course, dumped the abacuses into the Hong Kong black market, and took a more sophisticated direction with slide rules.
They are waiting.....
What tubes are you talking about? You mean coin tubes? Go physical long whenever you can. 10,000 cases of Stacks cache of dollar tubes alone, and uncounted for smaller denominations, all ruined by Hurricane Sandy, crusted green with algae from a flooded underground vault next to the NYC Wine Investors Depository.
The coins were salvageable.
They were expertly expertly conserved and restored thru the anonymous services provided by C-15 - (Coin Cosmetologists, Contractors, Co-Conspirators, Chronic Colluders, Chemists, Conservationists Communal Criminal Cabal and Child Care Center. All operating under franchise from the Money-Laundering Division of the Illuminnati Fine and Dark Arts Administration .
A word to the wise. Chinese counterfeits are everywhere on Ebay.
I'm just here tonite to free-associate because I saw a Robin Williams movie earlier.
I went on their website for the first time last night.
Never again.
Pile of garbage.
You'd think in today's age, that a business of any type that sells on the internet would have a user friendly website to have any chance of competing with the competition.
Oh well, only the fittest will survive.
"Gold is money, and nothing else" (JP Morgan, 1912)
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
It's been a long time ago but the folks there treated me like dirt, more than once. There are too many choices out there to put up with being treat that way. I still look at the website and it always works just fine for me.
Frankly, I am enjoying their much improved pictures and write ups. This is believed to be the nicest 1850-O quarter out there. The Pittman coin finally returns to auction in a couple weeks (lot 10164 in upcoming Stacks Bowers sale)!
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
<< <i>Frankly, I am enjoying their much improved pictures and write ups. This is believed to be the nicest 1850-O quarter out there. The Pittman coin finally returns to auction in a couple weeks!
Wondercoin >>
Wow. I'd put up with a lot of PMS for that. Gorgeous! Lance.
<< <i>No amount of schmoozing will make 9 month old bugs suddenly disappear. >>
And no amount of general carping will explain what's wrong. If you want them to fix things, the challenge is to provide specific problems and issues, not general useless statements.
-----Burton ANA 50+ year/Life Member (now "Emeritus") Author: 3rd Edition of the SampleSlabs book, https://sampleslabs.info/
<< <i>No amount of schmoozing will make 9 month old bugs suddenly disappear. >>
And no amount of general carping will explain what's wrong. If you want them to fix things, the challenge is to provide specific problems and issues, not general useless statements. >>
Just one more pic from me tonight from the upcoming Stacks/Bowers auction.
Lot 10127. 1862 Three Cent Silver grading PCGS-PR67+CAM. Next best coin out there is a PCGS-PR66+CAM.
After grading it at PCGS, I sent this over to Stacks Bowers for their upcoming Baltimore sale for a customer and board member. I was personally hoping the coin might grade PR68CAM, but PCGS is tough as we all know!
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
<< <i>If you want them to fix things, the challenge is to provide specific problems and issues, not general useless statements. >>
First: specifics have already been provided, including your list earlier in this thread. Not to mention the earlier threads and the direct communication by email, phone, and in person.
Second: You and others are missing the point. If they need someone else to tell them what is wrong, that is a Big Problem in itself. Do they not use the website themselves? Are their opinions so different from everyone else that they don't agree these are problems? Do they not care? If there's any good explanation here, I've yet to hear it.
I want to see Stack's fix their web site, but I want to see STACK'S fix their website. If they make blind, reluctant, piecemeal patches in response to to complaints they don't understand... maybe things will get better in the short term. Just as likely they'll get worse.
The people who do their programming must be a members of the family or something. Otherwise I don't how they keep their jobs. >>
Would seem a reasonable assumption. Site is "the worst" of 4 majors and has seldom made improvement but rather degenerated vis-à-vis the tech and the times. Nepotic yes; intuitive, nein
Just as a follow up, Wayne Berkeley informed me today that he feels like the "Maytag repairman" (my words). Not a single call from a board member all last week regarding their "internet problems"!
He sits patiently by his phone at extension 262.
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
I couldn't find that O9 S VDB in 66+ you were talking about, gave up, no rhyme or reason to placement of a coin in the listings. Wouldn't you start off with the earliest lowest graded copper?
<< <i>Just as a follow up, Wayne Berkeley informed me today that he feels like the "Maytag repairman" (my words). Not a single call from a board member all last week regarding their "internet problems"!
He sits patiently by his phone at extension 262.
Wondercoin >>
Have you asked him if he has read this thread plus the other one linked above? I assume you made him aware of them and he has something to do other than patiently sit by his phone at extension 262
I have never looked at the Stack's site and have no dog in this fight but it seems to me that enough potential customers do not like the site that they should be a little more proactive if they want to remain relevant.
<< <i>Just as a follow up, Wayne Berkeley informed me today that he feels like the "Maytag repairman" (my words). Not a single call from a board member all last week regarding their "internet problems"!
He sits patiently by his phone at extension 262.
Wondercoin >>
I spoke with a man named Corey on Friday and told him my negative thoughts. I must've talked to the Whirlpool guy.
Mitch- I simply don't go on the site anymore. It's not worth the aggravation. Outside of the photo's it's a complete disaster. It is totally unorganized and unfriendly. It's totally counter intuitive. No thought or imagination. It's not my job to call them to express my destain for their site. Shame on them if they haven't figured this out by now. With that product they offer (their website) it's clear they don't really care. Honestly, their site needs to be blown up. If I was running the company I would stop everything until I had solutions or I would hire someone that could.
Mark
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Justacommeman - I totally understand your frustration. But, with all due respect, I have traveled across the country to take a look at a coin I need for my collection. So, dealing with a problematic website (in your view) is a small price to pay (for me at least) to leave no stone unturned in ones quest to discover coins to possibly purchase. Just a difference of opinion here.
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
I like those guys. I won a coin on their site last night. I sent them an Email asking them to change the site, a polite complaint and suggested they go back to the Teletrade format..........I'll probably get banned.
<< <i>Justacommeman - I totally understand your frustration. But, with all due respect, I have traveled across the country to take a look at a coin I need for my collection. So, dealing with a problematic website (in your view) is a small price to pay (for me at least) to leave no stone unturned in ones quest to discover coins to possibly purchase. Just a difference of opinion here.
Wondercoin >>
Mitch, coins are your livelihood so I understand your POV. They are only a hobby for me and I have enough stress already in my day job. I don't need more. I have flown 6,000 miles to complete a coin transaction but I knew it would be pleasant and straight forward so I didn't mind. There is nothing pleasant about that website. I get their catalogs and browse them. If there is something I really really really want I find a way to get it without visiting that site. I'd rather hang out it in the box they kept the gimp in, in Pulp Fiction.
Mark
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Here is the link for the 1909(svbd) Lincoln Cent in PCGS-MS66+RD. Since the coin is in the Rarities Night session it is not in the regular small cent section of the auction by date, but rather by lot number. However, one can easily perform a search of all Lincoln Cents in the sale. Send me a PM if you have any problem with that search.
Several problems still for me with their site that I try to fight through. Can't remember everything, but here's a couple.
If I go to view all lots in an auction, set to view 75 per page, make it to the 2nd or 3rd page before wanting to add something to my watchlist, I then click on the add to watchlist but am prompted to first log in. Logging in is no trouble, then I go back to the list of coins where I was at and can view the rest of that page, but when I click to go to the next page in the auction the page is not available. To get back to viewing the auction, I must start over from scratch, by clicking on the upcoming auctions, choosing 75 per page again, then click forward to where I was at in the lot viewing. Sort of frustrating.
Also, I had several coins in my watchlist for the recent sale that ended with internet bidding on Tuesday @ 3pm Pacific. I logged in later that night to see if I won anything and to see what the prices realized were on the coins in my watchlist. The coins I bid on were there under my bidding, but the coins in my watchlist that I hadn't bid on were gone. And they're still gone and no where to be found on the website. And that night, that sale was removed from the "current auctions" and was not yet in the "archive" so I couldn't view the auction results even by going through it coin by coin. Now, that it's under the archive, I can re-find the coins I was watching if I wanted to, but still no watchlist to help me. Unacceptable.
I bid on one of the iAuctions a couple of weeks ago, bid on a bunch of US Coins and a bunch of World coins. Won a single US coin and a few World Coins. After the auction closed, I received an invoice almost immediately which seemed to show that all I won was the single US coin (and no world coins) and it was requesting payment. Figured I'd have to call during the week to get it straightened out. The matter slipped my mind and I didn't even remember it until the following Sunday when I went to look at the next iAuction. Of course, at that time under my orders the correct invoice was there w/ all of the US and World coins listed so I paid it. Never was sent a correct invoice via email during the week.
I've also had several issues when trying to run searches using their search box. Either the search doesn't work right from the start, or when I go back to the full list after searching I get errors.
I know there are other problems I've had too. If it was one minor thing bugging me over and over and the rest of the site was working for me fine, I'd call. I did that with Great Collections when they first started up and the issue was resolved quickly and that site works perfectly for me now. But with so many issues on the Stacks site, I'm not going to be spending the time/effort to debug their site for them... especially when their previous sites, both Teletrade and the Bowers site worked quite well.
I use Windows 8.1 and the latest version of Internet Explorer, which is a pretty common set up so I'm sure I'm not the only one with the above issues. Perhaps if the web guy is really sitting around with nothing to fix, they should be testing the site using various OS/browsers to find the bugs that many of us seem to have regularly!
<< <i>Walkerfan. I may well have been the consignor on that coin and I would not have been "livid". People live or die by last second bids. I personally bid early in many instances counting on things like this happening to secure my victory (you would be surprised just how often this happens at plenty of auction venues or the other guy forgets to bid at the last second for whatever reason). It is true that had you been successful in entering your bid the lot may have sold for $525 or higher. But, had you bid even sooner, the lot may have sold for a great deal more. If i was chasing a $1,000 valued coin sitting at $500 all week, I may have very well placed a $600 or $700 "safety bid" in the last 24 hours. If you snipe for the "win", you must take the good with the bad. Within the last year, I was chasing a coin at auction I thought could be worth about $30,000+ (an upgrade coin). It was sitting at around $2,000 at the time and I placed a "safety bid" of around $5,000 just to keep me getting outbid notices and my mind in the game. Come auction day, I was being pulled in ten directions with family matters and forgot to return to the site to increase my bid!! Of course, I remembered not too long after the auction ended (you know that feeling when you mess up and remember you forgot to bid on something important right after an auction ends). I sadly went to the site to see the closing price (fearing $5,250 of course - the worst possible scenario). Instead, I was showing as the winner around $4,800!!! The coin upgraded the first time through and has a Price Guide value in excess of $30,000! Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good! Thank goodness for that "safety bid".
Since Stacks is getting pretty beat up on this thread, here is a "plug" for them for something very cool coming up in their Baltimore Sale. There is a spectacular run of US error coins in the Stacks/Bowers Baltimore sale coming up in less than two weeks! Check them out! Full disclosure: I do not own any of these coins, but I am assisting the collector and board member that does.
Wondercoin >>
Glad that luck was on your side, when you won that coin with a 'safety bid'. I have been pretty lucky, too, and I believe that everything happens for a reason. I have bought some other really nice coins, since the one that I missed at SB. However, I am now nervous about snipe bidding, since this SB incident----even on other sights, as I am afraid something will go wrong AGAIN, even though I don't have trouble on other sites. So I bid early and have to squirm in the final minutes hoping a sniper doesn't run me up or outbid me.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
Walkerfan. I know exactly what you are talking about with respect to the "squirming". Best of luck with that new strategy.
illini420 - Thanks for explaining a few of the things that make your experience at SB less than stellar. Hopefully, someone at SB is reading all of this. I tip my hat to Ian who addresses any and all problems that he reads about his company here. I personally think that is the right way to handle comments such as yours. Yes, sometimes it is tough to read (and respond to) the negative comments when you are proud of your business, but, where else can one get to improve ones business through customer feedback like here on these message boards. Comments such as yours can only make a company stronger, not weaker, if they address such comments the "right way".
Anyway, I am not a paid spokesman for SB - I just have had many fine experiences buying and selling coins in their auctions over the years. I was just trying to help anyone who wanted help by suggesting they contact Wayne as I know he is very good with computers and computer related issues.
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
If I could attend in person, the website issues would be a positive.......
"My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose, Cardinal.
BStrauss3, Thanks for the info but: A) the 16 month outlook for my windows version is about 10 times further out than I plan for these sorts of things. my employer choses the version of Windows and Explorer so there isn't anything I can do with that info.
I have no interest in argueing with anyone. Either it's obvious to you that their website is crap or it isn't. There is no other website I use more than twice a year where I can't click a simple button. I'm not running some archaic version of Windows. I'm not running some weird browser. It wouldn't surprise me to learn I'm running the most standard combination on earth. Every other website on the Internet just works. Why doesn't theirs?
I used my son's computer to try a few things. I can place bids. But I can also crash it with a 500 Internal Server Error by trying to click on the half dollars while the modern dollar list is up.
If there is something I really really really want I find a way to get it without visiting that site. I'd rather hang out it in the box they kept the gimp in, in Pulp Fiction.
It's cool that Mitch has been defending them. Sign of a good person who is trying to do right.
It's sad that they don't bother coming here to try to talk to people about things. A sign that they are either worried about getting beat up for the issues (likely a high probability; particularly if they don't have answers to what the issues are that people are having) or that they just don't care. When you are a big dog, and you are making the money and turning away business, then you just don't care for the periphery noise going on that will take away time and resources.
Heck...that must be it. Any business that WANTS MORE business wouldn't be made aware of a thread like this and ignore it. They would want to do what they can to grow the business and have MORE happy customers/users. In this business, if users are turned off to an auction website and don't want to use it, then there are less eyeballs and less wallets being opened up.
They must be happy ENOUGH with their revenue....though, I would imagine individual consignors could be made a bit more happy if prices were nudged up by a few more bids.
I'll give you my take on it, but I could be entirely wrong...
In the past, Stacks Bowers was a publicly traded company and their attorneys may have instructed officers of the company to not respond on any public message boards for myriad (legal) related reasons. And, quite frankly, that might have been very prudent advice - generally speaking.
However, SB went private earlier in the year. Whatever concerns may have existed for officers of a publicly traded company responding to internet threads no longer exists (as far as I know, but I may be missing something). I believe some of the officers may still be operating under the advice given by their professionals. In fact, I sure hope this is the case, as I agree with you 100% Bochiman that I can not see any logical business reason for a rep. of SB to not stop by here on a regular basis and address all of these negative comments, especially when their product is not nearly as problematic as some have stated it is and, in fact, (IMHO) they are an excellent auction house. And, acknowledging the few small issues that exist with the site would go a long way in restoring members faith in the company.
Finally, let's face it - BK is simply too darn busy as President to be the one writing on these boards - I would not expect him to. Just as we do not see Jim H. from Heritage here too often. Ian, of course, plays golf all day long 4 days a week, so of course he has time to write on these boards often (just kidding - the guy works 7 days a week and still finds time to visit here daily).
But, there is an amazing staffer over at SB - Robin Olson - who ran a public relations firm in MN. for goodness sake before joining SB last year! I could not think of a better person to be assigned the task of addressing comments about SB here on the boards. If I needed to address board problems and could use Robin, I would sleep easy at night knowing she was "putting out the fires".
As always, just my two cents.
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
Also, there is someone there that I would recommend there at StacksBowers if you have questions, concerns or problems with the website (or with bidding in one of their sales, etc).
That person is Greg Cohen. He is out of their New York office. The main number there is (212) 582-2580.
I know Greg; I know him well. We worked together many moons ago. He will get you the answers you are looking for, and will work to resolve problems and difficulties with the site or in general.
I hope he doesn't mind me doing this, but his email address is: gcohen@stacksbowers.com
Dave Wnuck. Redbook contributor; long time PNG Member; listed on the PCGS Board of Experts. PM me with your email address to receive my e-newsletter, and visit DaveWcoins.com Find me on eBay at davewcoins
<< <i>Also, there is someone there that I would recommend there at StacksBowers if you have questions, concerns or problems with the website (or with bidding in one of their sales, etc).
That person is Greg Cohen. He is out of their New York office. The main number there is (212) 582-2580.
I know Greg; I know him well. We worked together many moons ago. He will get you the answers you are looking for, and will work to resolve problems and difficulties with the site or in general.
I hope he doesn't mind me doing this, but his email address is: gcohen@stacksbowers.com >>
Dave, you and Mitch are really good at working with people and knowing the right people to talk to in the biz. The issue is generally with us "normal folks" as very few of us are likely to feel comfortable talking with people we don't know, and even more uncomfortable talking to the more important people at other companies (VPs/CEOs/etc...people who's business isn't generally dealing with the public on technical matters)
Now, if Greg, or one of the others, were to have a presence here; assuming they can and know they can from what Mitch was saying (which, I didn't know or think about), then they could more easily hear the issues and direct them to the right people. Something that HRH and DW have done on occasions here concerning PCGS and any issues.
Just a thought. I am sure Greg is a good guy but I would bet that he wouldn't want to spend time on a lot of issues when he isn't the right one to start with initially.
<< <i>Justacommeman - I totally understand your frustration. But, with all due respect, I have traveled across the country to take a look at a coin I need for my collection. So, dealing with a problematic website (in your view) is a small price to pay (for me at least) to leave no stone unturned in ones quest to discover coins to possibly purchase. Just a difference of opinion here.
Wondercoin >>
Mitch, coins are your livelihood so I understand your POV. They are only a hobby for me and I have enough stress already in my day job. I don't need more. I have flown 6,000 miles to complete a coin transaction but I knew it would be pleasant and straight forward so I didn't mind. There is nothing pleasant about that website. I get their catalogs and browse them. If there is something I really really really want I find a way to get it without visiting that site. I'd rather hang out it in the box they kept the gimp in, in Pulp Fiction.
Comments
<< <i>Just call Wayne Berkeley at ext. 262 ... he is sitting there waiting to help folks with bidding problems, but he tells me he has not heard from anyone in months! >>
<< <i>The reason the fix it guy has not gotten any calls is probably due to the fact that most of us got tired of their arcade site and just left! >>
<< <i>Sorry...but their site is not fixable. >>
<< <i>The message has been delivered. >>
Yes, what they all said. That last comment is frankly the most damning. The message HAS been delivered. It has been delivered multiple times by multiple people. It has been delivered by people who spend way more with Stack's than I do. It has been delivered by phone and in person to people as high up as you can go within Stack's. And yet the site is still atrocious.
A year and a half ago, Heritage made a change to the way that pictures were displayed on their site. I understand what they were trying to do, but the results weren't so great for bidders. The issue was reported on this board around the close of business on a Thursday. They acknowledged the problem by the close of business on Friday, and they fixed the problem by the close of business on Monday. They tried something, it didn't work, and they fixed it. I have no problems with they way that Heritage handled things.
Does everyone here remember a year or two ago when the Preview button was broken when posting on these message boards? This isn't an auction site; PCGS makes no revenue from us moochers. It wasn't even like we need a Preview button. Yes, it was annoying that it didn't work, but we all got along without it. Still, PCGS somehow managed to crack open the message board software that (a) they didn't write in the first place and (b) came from a company that no longer exists, and they got it fixed. I don't think they even took credit for it. I might have missed something, but it seemed to suddenly start working again with no notice from anyone.
Compare all of the to Stack's, who apparently are now claiming that they don't know of any problems with their site?
<< <i>I am wondering if I am the only person in the world that has *zero* problems with their site. >>
The problems are endemic to the site; you couldn't not have problems. You might have trained yourself to work around the problems. There might also be some additional browser-specific problems. The worst problems in my mind are in the core site itself -- and the refusal by Stack's to do anything about them.
<< <i>I am currently considering whether to consign another group of items to the next Americana sale and if I do so, will be increasing my reserves to cover my ass... >>
As it happens, I've consigned to the January Americana sale for (goes to check) the last four years, and five of the last six. I'm in the middle of preparing a consignment this year also. There's nothing for me to consider: That consignment isn't going to Stack's.
So, I have an easy solution...
Anyone with a true complaint that wants it fixed please call Wayne and he will either fix it himself or direct that person to the person at SB who can. And, things that are unfixable after that call to Wayne, I would be most interested in reading about. Those would be very useful posts here as opposed to nonspecific posts stating that they simply do not like Stacks.
Just trying to help those who truly want some help.
Wondercoin.
<< <i>I am wondering if I am the only person in the world that has *zero* problems with their site. >>
I currently have zero problems with their site. I was able to do this by getting discouraged enough by what the site has been like that I haven't bothered going back in months.
Specific problems? I no longer remember. In general, I did not find it user friendly nor easy to use. If I could totally ignore the USMint's website after their last "upgrade", I would, as I find that to be in the same category of not being user friendly.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
Things I don't like about Stacks.com
1. When I'm browsing and login (say I want to place a bid) after login I get taken to a generic page, not the page I was on where I wanted to bid.
2. The left top menu is "BROWSE Auctions". Most people actually want to SEARCH. The top level "SEARCH" is for the archives.
3. After I click "BROWSE Auctions", I don't have a search function, instead I have to select an auction.
4. After I click on a single auction, I can finally select all the auctions to search for a coin. Except - on my tablet - I click one, wait for the refresh and then click the 2nd. On my desktop, I can click fast enough that I can check both before the refresh happens.
5. Now I can search, except I can't search for a range of dates, for a mintmark or between PCGS and NGC coins. Say I'm looking for Seated Liberty dime, 1853-1860 O...
* Expand dimes and wait a few seconds (these should be client side so they are instantaneous, not server side postbacks)
* Click on Seated Liberty (wait for postback)
And I'm stuck. I can't search for a range of dates, I can't sort the list of 78 Seated Liberty dimes by date and I can't view more than 25 at a time (OK, I can scroll to the bottom, change the records to 75 and only have two pages to view). I can't search just for XF40-XF45 coins.
The sequence is (auction, lot #) so 1853s occur in two clumps.
If you are used to reading an auction catalog, this feels very familiar. However, this is the electronic age and it's time to move past a simple port of a catalog to the screen.
I also really, really hate your practice of lumping several low grade coins into a single lot, ESPECIALLY when you have a clean VG8 lumped with three details graded junkers.
ANA 50+ year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
Author: 3rd Edition of the SampleSlabs book, https://sampleslabs.info/
<< <i>At some point we are going to run outta tubes and Stacks will be back on top, just wait. >>
They bought a warehouse-full of Univac computer tubes because they figured that transistors were over-trending. Doubled down by going long ice for anticipated uptick when the tiny gizmos started frying. Used the same philosophy in the abacus market six months after Texas Instruments came out with the display calculator. But quickly reversed course, dumped the abacuses into the Hong Kong black market, and took a more sophisticated direction with slide rules.
They are waiting.....
What tubes are you talking about? You mean coin tubes? Go physical long whenever you can. 10,000 cases of Stacks cache of dollar tubes alone, and uncounted for smaller denominations, all ruined by Hurricane Sandy, crusted green with algae from a flooded underground vault next to the NYC Wine Investors Depository.
The coins were salvageable.
They were expertly expertly conserved and restored thru the anonymous services provided by C-15 - (Coin Cosmetologists, Contractors, Co-Conspirators, Chronic Colluders, Chemists, Conservationists Communal Criminal Cabal and Child Care Center. All operating under franchise from the Money-Laundering Division of the Illuminnati Fine and Dark Arts Administration .
A word to the wise. Chinese counterfeits are everywhere on Ebay.
I'm just here tonite to free-associate because I saw a Robin Williams movie earlier.
Those tubes?
Or are you talking about the quality of certain of the coins for sale on Stacks.com?
ANA 50+ year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
Author: 3rd Edition of the SampleSlabs book, https://sampleslabs.info/
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Since Stacks is getting pretty beat up on this thread, here is a "plug" for them for something very cool coming up in their Baltimore Sale. There is a spectacular run of US error coins in the Stacks/Bowers Baltimore sale coming up in less than two weeks! Check them out! Full disclosure: I do not own any of these coins, but I am assisting the collector and board member that does.
Wondercoin
<< <i>
<< <i>At some point we are going to run outta tubes and Stacks will be back on top, just wait. >>
They bought a warehouse-full of Univac computer tubes because they figured that transistors were over-trending. Doubled down by going long ice for anticipated uptick when the tiny gizmos started frying. Used the same philosophy in the abacus market six months after Texas Instruments came out with the display calculator. But quickly reversed course, dumped the abacuses into the Hong Kong black market, and took a more sophisticated direction with slide rules.
They are waiting.....
What tubes are you talking about? You mean coin tubes? Go physical long whenever you can. 10,000 cases of Stacks cache of dollar tubes alone, and uncounted for smaller denominations, all ruined by Hurricane Sandy, crusted green with algae from a flooded underground vault next to the NYC Wine Investors Depository.
The coins were salvageable.
They were expertly expertly conserved and restored thru the anonymous services provided by C-15 - (Coin Cosmetologists, Contractors, Co-Conspirators, Chronic Colluders, Chemists, Conservationists Communal Criminal Cabal and Child Care Center. All operating under franchise from the Money-Laundering Division of the Illuminnati Fine and Dark Arts Administration .
A word to the wise. Chinese counterfeits are everywhere on Ebay.
I'm just here tonite to free-associate because I saw a Robin Williams movie earlier.
Those tubes? >>
Never again.
Pile of garbage.
You'd think in today's age, that a business of any type that sells on the internet would have a user friendly website to have any chance of competing with the competition.
Oh well, only the fittest will survive.
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
There are too many choices out there to put up with being treat that way.
I still look at the website and it always works just fine for me.
Frankly, I am enjoying their much improved pictures and write ups. This is believed to be the nicest 1850-O quarter out there. The Pittman coin finally returns to auction in a couple weeks (lot 10164 in upcoming Stacks Bowers sale)!
Wondercoin
<< <i>Frankly, I am enjoying their much improved pictures and write ups. This is believed to be the nicest 1850-O quarter out there. The Pittman coin finally returns to auction in a couple weeks!
Wondercoin >>
Wow. I'd put up with a lot of PMS for that. Gorgeous!
Lance.
<< <i>No amount of schmoozing will make 9 month old bugs suddenly disappear. >>
And no amount of general carping will explain what's wrong. If you want them to fix things, the challenge is to provide specific problems and issues, not general useless statements.
ANA 50+ year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
Author: 3rd Edition of the SampleSlabs book, https://sampleslabs.info/
<< <i>
<< <i>No amount of schmoozing will make 9 month old bugs suddenly disappear. >>
And no amount of general carping will explain what's wrong. If you want them to fix things, the challenge is to provide specific problems and issues, not general useless statements. >>
detailed like this?
Most have been addressed
I've sent similarly detailed emails to BK @ Stacks
The problems I'm still seeing are not off-and-on hair pullers. They have been there every access for months in plain view.
Lot 10127. 1862 Three Cent Silver grading PCGS-PR67+CAM. Next best coin out there is a PCGS-PR66+CAM.
After grading it at PCGS, I sent this over to Stacks Bowers for their upcoming Baltimore sale for a customer and board member. I was personally hoping the coin might grade PR68CAM, but PCGS is tough as we all know!
Wondercoin
<< <i>If you want them to fix things, the challenge is to provide specific problems and issues, not general useless statements. >>
First: specifics have already been provided, including your list earlier in this thread. Not to mention the earlier threads and the direct communication by email, phone, and in person.
Second: You and others are missing the point. If they need someone else to tell them what is wrong, that is a Big Problem in itself. Do they not use the website themselves? Are their opinions so different from everyone else that they don't agree these are problems? Do they not care? If there's any good explanation here, I've yet to hear it.
I want to see Stack's fix their web site, but I want to see STACK'S fix their website. If they make blind, reluctant, piecemeal patches in response to to complaints they don't understand... maybe things will get better in the short term. Just as likely they'll get worse.
Would seem a reasonable assumption. Site is "the worst" of 4 majors and has seldom made improvement but rather degenerated vis-à-vis the tech and the times. Nepotic yes; intuitive, nein
He sits patiently by his phone at extension 262.
Wondercoin
<< <i>Just as a follow up, Wayne Berkeley informed me today that he feels like the "Maytag repairman" (my words). Not a single call from a board member all last week regarding their "internet problems"!
He sits patiently by his phone at extension 262.
Wondercoin >>
Have you asked him if he has read this thread plus the other one linked above? I assume you made him aware of them and he has something to do other than patiently sit by his phone at extension 262
I have never looked at the Stack's site and have no dog in this fight but it seems to me that enough potential customers do not like the site that they should be a little more proactive if they want to remain relevant.
<< <i>Just as a follow up, Wayne Berkeley informed me today that he feels like the "Maytag repairman" (my words). Not a single call from a board member all last week regarding their "internet problems"!
He sits patiently by his phone at extension 262.
Wondercoin >>
I spoke with a man named Corey on Friday and told him my negative thoughts. I must've talked to the Whirlpool guy.
Mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
SoCalBig Mark - I will get a link to the 1090(svdb) here for your convenience.
Wondercoin
Wondercoin
HCHCoin ... Take a look and see what you have been missing!
Wondercoin
<< <i>Justacommeman - I totally understand your frustration. But, with all due respect, I have traveled across the country to take a look at a coin I need for my collection. So, dealing with a problematic website (in your view) is a small price to pay (for me at least) to leave no stone unturned in ones quest to discover coins to possibly purchase. Just a difference of opinion here.
Wondercoin >>
Mitch, coins are your livelihood so I understand your POV. They are only a hobby for me and I have enough stress already in my day job. I don't need more. I have flown 6,000 miles to complete a coin transaction but I knew it would be pleasant and straight forward so I didn't mind. There is nothing pleasant about that website. I get their catalogs and browse them. If there is something I really really really want I find a way to get it without visiting that site. I'd rather hang out it in the box they kept the gimp in, in Pulp Fiction.
Mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
http://www.stacksbowers.com/BrowseAuctions/LotDetail/tabid/227/AuctionID/6039/Lot/10112/Default.aspx
Wondercoin
If I go to view all lots in an auction, set to view 75 per page, make it to the 2nd or 3rd page before wanting to add something to my watchlist, I then click on the add to watchlist but am prompted to first log in. Logging in is no trouble, then I go back to the list of coins where I was at and can view the rest of that page, but when I click to go to the next page in the auction the page is not available. To get back to viewing the auction, I must start over from scratch, by clicking on the upcoming auctions, choosing 75 per page again, then click forward to where I was at in the lot viewing. Sort of frustrating.
Also, I had several coins in my watchlist for the recent sale that ended with internet bidding on Tuesday @ 3pm Pacific. I logged in later that night to see if I won anything and to see what the prices realized were on the coins in my watchlist. The coins I bid on were there under my bidding, but the coins in my watchlist that I hadn't bid on were gone. And they're still gone and no where to be found on the website. And that night, that sale was removed from the "current auctions" and was not yet in the "archive" so I couldn't view the auction results even by going through it coin by coin. Now, that it's under the archive, I can re-find the coins I was watching if I wanted to, but still no watchlist to help me. Unacceptable.
I bid on one of the iAuctions a couple of weeks ago, bid on a bunch of US Coins and a bunch of World coins. Won a single US coin and a few World Coins. After the auction closed, I received an invoice almost immediately which seemed to show that all I won was the single US coin (and no world coins) and it was requesting payment. Figured I'd have to call during the week to get it straightened out. The matter slipped my mind and I didn't even remember it until the following Sunday when I went to look at the next iAuction. Of course, at that time under my orders the correct invoice was there w/ all of the US and World coins listed so I paid it. Never was sent a correct invoice via email during the week.
I've also had several issues when trying to run searches using their search box. Either the search doesn't work right from the start, or when I go back to the full list after searching I get errors.
I know there are other problems I've had too. If it was one minor thing bugging me over and over and the rest of the site was working for me fine, I'd call. I did that with Great Collections when they first started up and the issue was resolved quickly and that site works perfectly for me now. But with so many issues on the Stacks site, I'm not going to be spending the time/effort to debug their site for them... especially when their previous sites, both Teletrade and the Bowers site worked quite well.
I use Windows 8.1 and the latest version of Internet Explorer, which is a pretty common set up so I'm sure I'm not the only one with the above issues. Perhaps if the web guy is really sitting around with nothing to fix, they should be testing the site using various OS/browsers to find the bugs that many of us seem to have regularly!
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
<< <i>Walkerfan. I may well have been the consignor on that coin and I would not have been "livid". People live or die by last second bids. I personally bid early in many instances counting on things like this happening to secure my victory (you would be surprised just how often this happens at plenty of auction venues or the other guy forgets to bid at the last second for whatever reason). It is true that had you been successful in entering your bid the lot may have sold for $525 or higher. But, had you bid even sooner, the lot may have sold for a great deal more. If i was chasing a $1,000 valued coin sitting at $500 all week, I may have very well placed a $600 or $700 "safety bid" in the last 24 hours. If you snipe for the "win", you must take the good with the bad. Within the last year, I was chasing a coin at auction I thought could be worth about $30,000+ (an upgrade coin). It was sitting at around $2,000 at the time and I placed a "safety bid" of around $5,000 just to keep me getting outbid notices and my mind in the game. Come auction day, I was being pulled in ten directions with family matters and forgot to return to the site to increase my bid!! Of course, I remembered not too long after the auction ended (you know that feeling when you mess up and remember you forgot to bid on something important right after an auction ends). I sadly went to the site to see the closing price (fearing $5,250 of course - the worst possible scenario). Instead, I was showing as the winner around $4,800!!! The coin upgraded the first time through and has a Price Guide value in excess of $30,000! Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good! Thank goodness for that "safety bid".
Since Stacks is getting pretty beat up on this thread, here is a "plug" for them for something very cool coming up in their Baltimore Sale. There is a spectacular run of US error coins in the Stacks/Bowers Baltimore sale coming up in less than two weeks! Check them out! Full disclosure: I do not own any of these coins, but I am assisting the collector and board member that does.
Wondercoin >>
Glad that luck was on your side, when you won that coin with a 'safety bid'. I have been pretty lucky, too, and I believe that everything happens for a reason. I have bought some other really nice coins, since the one that I missed at SB. However, I am now nervous about snipe bidding, since this SB incident----even on other sights, as I am afraid something will go wrong AGAIN, even though I don't have trouble on other sites. So I bid early and have to squirm in the final minutes hoping a sniper doesn't run me up or outbid me.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
<< <i>"I have never looked at the Stack's site"
HCHCoin ... Take a look and see what you have been missing!
Wondercoin
I'm in my happy place right now and don't want to get frustrated
illini420 - Thanks for explaining a few of the things that make your experience at SB less than stellar. Hopefully, someone at SB is reading all of this. I tip my hat to Ian who addresses any and all problems that he reads about his company here. I personally think that is the right way to handle comments such as yours. Yes, sometimes it is tough to read (and respond to) the negative comments when you are proud of your business, but, where else can one get to improve ones business through customer feedback like here on these message boards. Comments such as yours can only make a company stronger, not weaker, if they address such comments the "right way".
Anyway, I am not a paid spokesman for SB - I just have had many fine experiences buying and selling coins in their auctions over the years. I was just trying to help anyone who wanted help by suggesting they contact Wayne as I know he is very good with computers and computer related issues.
Wondercoin
Check out some of my 1794 Large Cents on www.coingallery.org
Thanks for the info but:
A) the 16 month outlook for my windows version is about 10 times further out than I plan for these sorts of things.
I have no interest in argueing with anyone. Either it's obvious to you that their website is crap or it isn't.
There is no other website I use more than twice a year where I can't click a simple button. I'm not running some archaic version of Windows.
I'm not running some weird browser. It wouldn't surprise me to learn I'm running the most standard combination on earth. Every other website on
the Internet just works. Why doesn't theirs?
I used my son's computer to try a few things. I can place bids. But I can also crash it with a 500 Internal Server Error by trying to click on the half dollars while the
modern dollar list is up.
The website is crap...obviously.
-KHayse
psyche
Mark >>
Now that's some funny chit right there.
Dave
It's sad that they don't bother coming here to try to talk to people about things. A sign that they are either worried about getting beat up for the issues (likely a high probability; particularly if they don't have answers to what the issues are that people are having) or that they just don't care.
When you are a big dog, and you are making the money and turning away business, then you just don't care for the periphery noise going on that will take away time and resources.
Heck...that must be it. Any business that WANTS MORE business wouldn't be made aware of a thread like this and ignore it. They would want to do what they can to grow the business and have MORE happy customers/users. In this business, if users are turned off to an auction website and don't want to use it, then there are less eyeballs and less wallets being opened up.
They must be happy ENOUGH with their revenue....though, I would imagine individual consignors could be made a bit more happy if prices were nudged up by a few more bids.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
I'll give you my take on it, but I could be entirely wrong...
In the past, Stacks Bowers was a publicly traded company and their attorneys may have instructed officers of the company to not respond on any public message boards for myriad (legal) related reasons. And, quite frankly, that might have been very prudent advice - generally speaking.
However, SB went private earlier in the year. Whatever concerns may have existed for officers of a publicly traded company responding to internet threads no longer exists (as far as I know, but I may be missing something). I believe some of the officers may still be operating under the advice given by their professionals. In fact, I sure hope this is the case, as I agree with you 100% Bochiman that I can not see any logical business reason for a rep. of SB to not stop by here on a regular basis and address all of these negative comments, especially when their product is not nearly as problematic as some have stated it is and, in fact, (IMHO) they are an excellent auction house. And, acknowledging the few small issues that exist with the site would go a long way in restoring members faith in the company.
Finally, let's face it - BK is simply too darn busy as President to be the one writing on these boards - I would not expect him to. Just as we do not see Jim H. from Heritage here too often. Ian, of course, plays golf all day long 4 days a week, so of course he has time to write on these boards often
But, there is an amazing staffer over at SB - Robin Olson - who ran a public relations firm in MN. for goodness sake before joining SB last year! I could not think of a better person to be assigned the task of addressing comments about SB here on the boards. If I needed to address board problems and could use Robin, I would sleep easy at night knowing she was "putting out the fires".
As always, just my two cents.
Wondercoin
That person is Greg Cohen. He is out of their New York office. The main number there is (212) 582-2580.
I know Greg; I know him well. We worked together many moons ago. He will get you the answers you are looking for, and will work to resolve problems and difficulties with the site or in general.
I hope he doesn't mind me doing this, but his email address is: gcohen@stacksbowers.com
<< <i>Also, there is someone there that I would recommend there at StacksBowers if you have questions, concerns or problems with the website (or with bidding in one of their sales, etc).
That person is Greg Cohen. He is out of their New York office. The main number there is (212) 582-2580.
I know Greg; I know him well. We worked together many moons ago. He will get you the answers you are looking for, and will work to resolve problems and difficulties with the site or in general.
I hope he doesn't mind me doing this, but his email address is: gcohen@stacksbowers.com >>
Dave, you and Mitch are really good at working with people and knowing the right people to talk to in the biz.
The issue is generally with us "normal folks" as very few of us are likely to feel comfortable talking with people we don't know, and even more uncomfortable talking to the more important people at other companies (VPs/CEOs/etc...people who's business isn't generally dealing with the public on technical matters)
Now, if Greg, or one of the others, were to have a presence here; assuming they can and know they can from what Mitch was saying (which, I didn't know or think about), then they could more easily hear the issues and direct them to the right people. Something that HRH and DW have done on occasions here concerning PCGS and any issues.
Just a thought. I am sure Greg is a good guy but I would bet that he wouldn't want to spend time on a lot of issues when he isn't the right one to start with initially.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
<< <i> A critical error has occurred. An unexpected error has occurred >>
<< <i>
<< <i>Justacommeman - I totally understand your frustration. But, with all due respect, I have traveled across the country to take a look at a coin I need for my collection. So, dealing with a problematic website (in your view) is a small price to pay (for me at least) to leave no stone unturned in ones quest to discover coins to possibly purchase. Just a difference of opinion here.
Wondercoin >>
Mitch, coins are your livelihood so I understand your POV. They are only a hobby for me and I have enough stress already in my day job. I don't need more. I have flown 6,000 miles to complete a coin transaction but I knew it would be pleasant and straight forward so I didn't mind. There is nothing pleasant about that website. I get their catalogs and browse them. If there is something I really really really want I find a way to get it without visiting that site. I'd rather hang out it in the box they kept the gimp in, in Pulp Fiction.
Mark >>
THIS
My 1866 Philly Mint Set