PCGS cheating the grading guarantee?

Blade · February 17, 2006 11:39AM

Strong words, yes, but I don't know how else to consider this.

The US Post Office delivered my package to PCGS on Wednesday at 8:00am. As of this time, after Friday COB, they still have not logged it into receiving. 3 full business days and it is not recognized as received. Of course, the grading guarantee does not start until it is logged in their receiving department. And it shouldn't matter who is at a show, the receiving dept should always be working on weekdays.

This is a lot of float to play with a submission. I'm looking at a minimum of 4 additional days if it is logged on Monday.

How often has this happened to others? Is it normal operating procedure?

p8nt · February 17, 2006 11:40AM

Its pretty normal. It happens to all of us. Some people experience 2 week delays before their submissions are logged in.

21Walker · February 17, 2006 11:42AM

Patience my friend..........no worries...It happens all the time.........Rick

tmot99 · February 17, 2006 11:43AM

My submission that is in now took 4 days for entry. I asked the question in the Q&A. I was wondering if they have a target time or if they are ever caught up. HRH has not posted a response in the past 3 weeks. I am guessing I won't know the answer. One of those things where they don't want to admit to a problem, would be my guess.

Blade · February 17, 2006 11:43AM

While it may not be technically against the grading guarantee, 2 weeks seriously violates the spirit of it. Either the receiving manager needs to be replaced or they need to change their policies.

Bochiman · February 17, 2006 11:46AM

Tom,

As mentioned, it is normal (going by many posts here over the last few years).
Their timeliness in logging in ANY package sucks. They aren't necessarily trying to game the system but they are not well-organized in that arena I believe.

MORGANHUNTER2 · February 17, 2006 11:51AM

I submitted coins via a show here in houston on 1/20, it posted on 1/25, kept checking to see when grades would be in- I now have coins in HAND, and it still shows being processed like in it might be gradind/slabbed/packaged/oops we forgot to update the system again!

Be patient- you'll get em-

19Lyds · February 17, 2006 11:58AM

My last submission was mailed on 1/20, received on 1/23 and not logged into the system until 1/30. This only after I called to question the delay and customer service did a huntdown. I guess the real question here is why have a specific number of days guarantee if the package sits in receiving for a week?

LeeG · February 17, 2006 11:58AM

Coins arrived PCGS ON 01/12 and logged in on 01/31

TwoSides2aCoin · February 17, 2006 12:11PM

Ooooops, wrong thread ! Sorry this is the one I meant it for

My date on submission form was 1/26/06, so it was mailed on 1/27/06
It was entered on 1/31/06 and I was notified on 2/17/06. They are due back on the guarantee in forty days.
Did you pay a hundred ? Is it due in 24 or 48 hours ? Is any coin so important that two or three days or even a week is critical ? I guess I don't understand the implications of your word "CHEATING"...that sounds so immoral and downright like thievery or FALSEHOODS. I wouldn't send my coins to someone that I feel that way about. Why would you, Tom ?

Respectfully,

Joe

mercurydimeguy · February 17, 2006 12:15PM

They have 3 of my orders.

On Tuesday I get notified the first one is logged in...nothing about the other 2.

On Thursday I get notified the second one is logged.

Today I get notified the 3rd order was logged.

Even though they got all 3 of them on the same day, they were logged in 4 days apart.

Blade · February 17, 2006 12:38PM

I hear you guys about patience, but should we consider this is acceptable? I am a big fan of PCGS, but it sounds like they need to perform some process improvement work in Receiving or hire more people.

BECOKA · February 17, 2006 12:47PM

2 sets of coins arrived 2/16/2006 and both registered today 2/17/2006. The longest I have ever had to wait was during a busy weekend when it took 4 days to get into thier system.

Coinhusker1 · February 17, 2006 1:00PM

The last 2 submission I sent got logged in within a day of receipt. I had economy orders piggybacked with a quarterly special on one, and a regular on another. Thay way I got to write "CC special" on the package for first one, and "Regular" on the package for the second one. From what others have said, these get logged in quicker -- if there is no note, they go into the "we will get to it later" pile.

Someday I might send an economy submission and write "express" on the package -- would PCGS gripe to me about it, or would they just log it in anyway?

Blade · February 17, 2006 1:04PM

FYI - I wrote "Regular 15 Day Submission" on the front outside of the package below the address. So we can take that out of the equation.

Coinhusker1 · February 17, 2006 1:17PM

<< FYI - I wrote "Regular 15 Day Submission" on the front outside of the package below the address. So we can take that out of the equation. >>

Well, I guess you got hosed.

DennisH · February 17, 2006 1:35PM

I turned in a coin for designation review at the Long Beach show Thursday Febraury 9. It finally went live in the system today. That's ridiculously too long, but it's not at all surprising.

AACoinCo · February 17, 2006 10:07PM

Gave coins to PCGS in Houston on Jan. 20th and they were Logged in on Jan 26th? Your correct about the float!

goose3 · February 17, 2006 10:10PM

Personally, I would not find this practice acceptable at all if I were to submit coins.

I can understand a couple of days if you submit them at a show............other than that I see no excuse why they are not logged in the day that they are received.

Conder101 · February 18, 2006 6:13PM

<< I guess the real question here is why have a specific number of days guarantee if the package sits in receiving for a week? >>

It gives tham an advantage on helping to control whether or not they will have a time guarantee problem. Since the time clock does not begin until the day after they are entered into the system (not the day received) if they are running behind on the grading times they simply hold off on entering new submissions until they've caught up some. Then they enter them and get them graded within the guarantee time.

raycyca · February 18, 2006 9:55PM

I sent a single coin in for the free grading back on 11/23/05. It was showing as being received on 1/7/06!!! Submission # 9044430. NOW, that's what I call a BIG delay! Ray

jdimmick · February 18, 2006 10:27PM

I had posted on this topic earlier when I had the huge 2 week + delay from a submission drop off in Baltimore in Dec. After that I had two that I dropped off at FUN, that were logged in a "reasonable" amount of time. I just recently sent one that they recieved on a monday according to USPS, yet did not show up entered until the thursday. I do believe conder has a valid point that they can use it to control submission guarantee times. I guess as submitters is something that we will have to put up with as it doesnt look as if anything is going to change.

Jim d

That 2 month delay that someone posted is probably due to an order submission error by the submitter, although, customer service should contact the submitter instead of leaving it sitting on a shelf.

zeus135 · February 18, 2006 11:05PM

Tom,

Why don't you ask David Hall directly on the Q & A Forum?

BECOKA · February 19, 2006 3:02AM

<< Tom,

Why don't you ask David Hall directly on the Q & A Forum? >>

Why don't you call them on it. Tell them you have proof that it arrived a month and a half before it was logged into the system and request another freebie for the trouble. I have had submissions that were not elligable for freebies but because of the unusual time it took to grade I got a couple of freebies out of it by calling.

DennisH · February 19, 2006 3:09AM

"Why don't you ask David Hall directly on the Q & A Forum? "

I've tried twice, each times many months apart, and he has yet to address it.

One of the realities of the Q & A session is that not all questions get answered.

RBinTex · February 19, 2006 4:50AM

Yes. Selectively "logging in" packages does give them some "extra breathing room". Hopefully one day the powers that be will take the courageous step of making the guarantee more transparent by starting the clock when the submitters shipping service say the package was delivered - BUT DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH!

grip · February 19, 2006 5:43AM

I guess im all alone on this.It realy dont bother me if they post late.As long as they post them received.
You think there going to change there internal operations just to please a few?I dont.

So I go along with it.And worry/complain about something I can change....That's just me.

Al

Russ · February 19, 2006 5:56AM

If you want it to be entered right away, just do this.

Russ, NCNE

WTCG · February 19, 2006 11:33AM

Certain orders and certain packages are processed with more priority than others. There is a heirarchy to this process.

Russ · February 19, 2006 11:35AM

<< Certain orders and certain packages are processed with more priority than others. There is a heirarchy to this process. >>

Which ones get entered quicker?

Russ, NCNE

RYK · February 19, 2006 11:40AM

ertain orders and certain packages are processed with more priority than others. There is a heirarchy to this process.

Sorry, Wei, but if that is so, it's a load of baloney!

WTCG · February 19, 2006 11:41AM

<< 

<< Certain orders and certain packages are processed with more priority than others. There is a heirarchy to this process. >>

Which ones get entered quicker?

Russ, NCNE >>

Up to you to figure that out. I wouldn´t want you to stop your complaining just yet.

RobJoyce1921dVAMguy · February 19, 2006 11:42AM

I just wanted to pile on and agree that this needs to be addressed. I was part of the Baltimore crew waiting 2+ weeks for a hand-delivered show package while I watched others get grades before mine we even entered ... and they mailed theirs after Baltimore ended!

It might mean increasing the guarantee times on the tiers, but grading time should be from the time the package is delivered to PCGS through when it is mailed.

Rob

Russ · February 19, 2006 11:45AM

<< << Certain orders and certain packages are processed with more priority than others. There is a heirarchy to this process. >>

Which ones get entered quicker?

Russ, NCNE >>

Up to you to figure that out. I wouldn´t want you to stop your complaining just yet. >>

Translation:

I was talking out my ass.

Russ, NCNE

RYK · February 19, 2006 11:47AM

What is the value of a turnaround guarantee when PCGS can fudge the date the coins are received?

I had another fudging situation last year that, of course, I was on the short end. The express submission was not completed in the requisite five days, but instead on day #7. However, since day #7 was during a show (Long Beach or whatever), it did not count as a day toward the turnaround guarantee, and no free grading certs were forthcoming.

robertpr · February 19, 2006 11:48AM

<< 

<< Certain orders and certain packages are processed with more priority than others. There is a heirarchy to this process. >>

Which ones get entered quicker?

Russ, NCNE >>

The ones that are marked on the outside of the package as "express". The ones marked "economy" get entered slower. Try sending an economy submission but mark the outside of the box as "walkthrough" and see if that helps next time.

WTCG · February 19, 2006 11:49AM

<< 

<< 

<< Certain orders and certain packages are processed with more priority than others. There is a heirarchy to this process. >>

Which ones get entered quicker?

Russ, NCNE >>

The ones that are marked on the outside of the package as "express". The ones marked "economy" get entered slower. Try sending an economy submission but mark the outside of the box as "walkthrough" and see if that helps next time.

>>

No rudeness intended, but try again...

TwoSides2aCoin · February 19, 2006 11:51AM

<< What is the value of a turnaround guarantee when PCGS can fudge the date the coins are received?

I had another fudging situation last year that, of course, I was on the short end. The express submission was not completed in the requisite five days, but instead on day #7. However, since day #7 was during a show (Long Beach or whatever), it did not count as a day toward the turnaround guarantee, and no free grading certs were forthcoming. >>

this fudge packing has got to stop

Russ · February 19, 2006 11:51AM

<< The ones that are marked on the outside of the package as "express". The ones marked "economy" get entered slower. >>

My last economy order - which was marked as such - was entered within 24 hours of receipt.

Russ, NCNE

robertpr · February 19, 2006 11:52AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< Certain orders and certain packages are processed with more priority than others. There is a heirarchy to this process. >>

Which ones get entered quicker?

Russ, NCNE >>

The ones that are marked on the outside of the package as "express". The ones marked "economy" get entered slower. Try sending an economy submission but mark the outside of the box as "walkthrough" and see if that helps next time.

>>

No rudeness intended, but try again...

>>

Packages from submittors known to send lame-ass Kennedy Halves get entered last?

robertpr · February 19, 2006 11:52AM

.

Russ · February 19, 2006 11:54AM

<< Packages from submittors known to send lame-ass Kennedy Halves get entered last? >>

There are some Frankies on mine.

Russ, NCNE

coppercoins · February 19, 2006 12:05PM

Just like any other company, they have gimmicks that sound like one thing, then turn into something different come time to step up to the plate. Shipments back out in so many days means just that - unless you control which days are counted for whatever reason - logical or not. That they will pay for coins that are graded wrong - unless they want to claim typo or mechanical error and cheat their way out of it.

They screw people left and right, up and down, and people still send them coins and money...I say they're doing everything perfectly as a business that has way too much power.

BigBen · February 19, 2006 9:58PM

"I guess im all alone on this.It realy dont bother me if they post late.As long as they post them received.
You think there going to change there internal operations just to please a few?I dont."

PCGS Apologetics

Good grief folks! I hear all the Mint bashing and all the ill will towards any slow shipping ebayer, etc. but PCGS just gets an easy pass on blatantly bad business practices. Do I smell hypocrisy? If any other business treated me like that I'd be on the phone with the BBB pretty quick, especially considering how much money they charge. The way I see it, PCGS has been king for too long and takes it market position and customers completely for granted. With all the masochism on this board PCGS might as well dawn an S&M outfit and start beating you with a coin-filled whip.

This will not stop until folks stand up to them or bite the bullet and start using another service that does deliver, and if none do, maybe you all should consider gaining venture capital and starting a new one, as there are a lot of bright minds here

TwoSides2aCoin · February 19, 2006 10:38PM

I got a big bowl of soup for all you cry babies.... Call the better business bureau ???? sheesh.... I 've read it all now.

The guarantee is a turnaround time ...not a check in time... Some of you are making mountains out of molehills and I feel sorry for your children and spouses.

coinguy1 · February 19, 2006 10:44PM

<< Some of you are making mountains out of molehills and I feel sorry for your children and spouses. >>

They're complaining about a "guarantee" that is often, in effect, illusory. They're paying for guaranteed turnaround times that, in many cases, they are not getting.

BigBen · February 19, 2006 10:49PM

"Call the better business bureau ???? sheesh.... I 've read it all now."

You're kidding me right? If I go to IKEA online and order a piece of furniture for X amount of dollars and pay for home delivery and it's guaranteed within 1 week, and they deliver it 6 weeks later, I'm just going to say "no big deal????"....If I ran my business like that I'd be in the unemployment line. You must have too much time or too much money (or both) to live in the real world. Good grief people!

Cheers,
BigBen

tradedollarnut · February 19, 2006 10:58PM

You think there going to change there internal operations just to please a few?I dont."

From my conversations with Ron Guth, I think they are indeed going to change their internal operations in order to please their customer base. Give him time.

PCGS cheating the grading guarantee?

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