What are your thoughts on PCGS charging for Price Guide?

hiijacker · March 17, 2010 3:06PM

Personally, I don't use it, or if I need it I use Heritage archives. But as a platinum member I would expect this to be free. Even more importantly, I think the price guide gives new coin collectors a great place to start learning about coin types and series and gives them a useful place to start learning about prices and grades.

I think it will hurt PCGS in the long run, as it was probably their most effective form of advertising, bringing in web traffic (as content is king in the google search world) and ultimately will lose new customers.

cladking · March 17, 2010 3:11PM

They've certainly been increasing its value for over a year now.

hiijacker · March 17, 2010 3:13PM

I am not referring to CoinFacts which I think they should charge for. I am referring to the basic Price Guide.

melvin289 · March 17, 2010 3:18PM

I used to be a member of PCGS until they stopped giving anything for the money other than population access. I have always used the price guide as a rule of thumb to gage what I could and would pay. Since I own quite a few PCGS graded coins I would think they would let me access it for reference and future purchases.

Ron

Batman23 · March 17, 2010 3:24PM

As a platinum level member my thoughts are...

I am forced to find other resources now.

droopyd · March 17, 2010 3:54PM

I think it reduces the value of the price guide to the numismatic community at large.

PQType · March 17, 2010 4:19PM

If the price guide was updated for all PCGS coins sold at all auctions, or through PCGS dealers and included PCGS slabbed Ebay sales it would be worth what ever they ask. I pay for the Coin Facts and it is worth every penny. Hand s down. I resisted until about a month ago. I sould have bought it when it came out.

PerryHall · March 17, 2010 4:25PM

I'm waiting for them to start charging us a membership fee to use these forums.

RedHerring · March 17, 2010 4:42PM

<< But as a platinum member I would expect this to be free >>

I still have access to it and do not subscribe to Coin Facts. Are you sure it wasn't just "down" when you last tried to access it?

BXBOY143 · March 17, 2010 5:28PM

information these days is no longer free...if someone can make $$$ from any info they have and others want well......soon when u ask someone for directions i wont be shocked to hear do you have XXX money and i will tell you....

Placid · March 17, 2010 5:36PM

I never noticed. I guess if I couldnt find the info 3 different ways for free and wanted to know then I might care.

ocon4008 · March 17, 2010 5:57PM

We live in an age where information equates to money; why wouldn't a professional charge for his knowledge. He has spent a life time acquiring said information, and he must constantly review market conditions to make sure his information is still revelant or pertinent. The PCGS price guide represents many thousands of manhours of effort; that work deserves to be rewarded. Anyone that disagrees please feel free to create your own website with your free price guide.

melvin289 · March 17, 2010 6:09PM

<< We live in an age where information equates to money; why wouldn't a professional charge for his knowledge. He has spent a life time acquiring said information, and he must constantly review market conditions to make sure his information is still revelant or pertinent. The PCGS price guide represents many thousands of manhours of effort; that work deserves to be rewarded. Anyone that disagrees please feel free to create your own website with your free price guide.

>>

The over one hundred PCGS graded coins I own represent many manhours of work for me. I chose to buy PCGS graded coins because of their reputation. I would think I could get one thing back for my loyalty to them. Most of the dealers on eBay use their prices when posting coins for sale or it seems a lot of coins on eBay are close to PCGS prices.

By the way, I too can still access the price guide.

Ron

1Mike1 · March 17, 2010 6:15PM

If you use the most active tab you can get the prices free. Also if you have a set started you can use the what if option to check the price. (now watch them close those loopholes)

Steve27 · March 17, 2010 7:33PM

IMO the PCGS price guide is so poor, and thus misleading, I hope no one accesses it.

ocon4008 · March 17, 2010 8:18PM

<<The over one hundred PCGS graded coins I own represent many manhours of work for me. I chose to buy PCGS graded coins because of their reputation. I would think I could get one thing back for my loyalty to them. Most of the dealers on eBay use their prices when posting coins for sale or it seems a lot of coins on eBay are close to PCGS prices. >>

PCGS has graded over 19 million coins; the profit they reaped on grading 100 coins is insignificant to their bottom line. The money you paid also includes the value of the coin. The key is you buy PCGS graded coins by choice; I assume because you find value in their product. The value in their product is your reward for that effort. Buying their product does not give you the right to demand other products or services that cost PCGS to develop and/or maintain. If you buy an airline ticket do you deserve a free upgrade to first class; if you buy a car do you deserve a free upgade to the entertainment package? I think not; I believe those decisions are made by the company providing those services. The company must balance the perks they offer against the cost of doing business, and those decisions are reserved to what they think is best for their bottom line. If a company prices themselves above of the market they go out of business because no one will deem the services or products have a value. The gentlemen that run PCGS are professionals by every definition of the word; I have confidence they will make the right decision for their bottom line. After all they are in business to make money, and the only way they can make money is by selling their products and services. I think we should be grateful they provide the services they do at no cost, not complain about the ones they feel are worth a premium.

Please pass the kool-aid; I need to refill my glass.

TwoSides2aCoin · March 17, 2010 9:02PM

Rarely have I sold a coin at the level the price guide gives. It's usually about 70% of the price guide levels on most coins.
If PCGS charged for such information, it would still be 30% off.

Please correct me if I'm wrong or let's debate this diplomatically.

SeaEagleCoins · March 17, 2010 9:05PM

<< Rarely have I sold a coin at the level the price guide gives. It's usually about 70% of the price guide levels on most coins.
If PCGS charged for such information, it would still be 30% off.

Please correct me if I'm wrong or let's debate this diplomatically. >>

There are a few coins that are vastly undervalued by the PCGS (and every other) price guide...

Yet, for the most part, I agree with you...

(was that diplomatic enough for you?

)

TwoSides2aCoin · March 17, 2010 9:06PM

, it was Sea Eagle Coins... it sure was

ricko · March 17, 2010 9:24PM

It is their business, their product and it cost them to develop and maintain it. Why would they NOT charge?? Cheers, RickO

notwilight · March 17, 2010 9:31PM

Buyers must spend hours pouring over it since whenever it is low they will find that one and make me a low offer on the coin I have for sale. --Jerry

kurtdog · March 17, 2010 10:49PM

<< I'm waiting for them to start charging us a membership fee to use these forums.

>>

This forum is a fertile marketing tool and they'll stunt its growth if they do that...

EDIT: IMHO...

beartracks42 · March 17, 2010 10:59PM

I have no problem accessing the price guide and I have a silver membership!!

MsMorrisine · March 17, 2010 11:02PM

<< I think it reduces the value of the price guide to the numismatic community at large. >>

I agree.

and for a fee, then to ask for the users to point out pricing irregularities? poor form.

pmac · March 17, 2010 11:22PM

Do they? Maybe the fact that I am a silver member and pay for coinfacts give me a pass on a charge, but I wasn't aware that they now charge for the service. I use the Price Guide to determine relative values between coins, not what I would expect to buy or sell them for. Like was mentioned before, the best way to determine these facts is from the Heritage past sales history.

MsMorrisine · March 17, 2010 11:41PM

The "Most Active" is free. The detailed price guide pages are part of CoinFacts

<< PCGS CoinFacts members get the PCGS Population Report, Auction Prices Realized and Expanded Price Guide – three unique and indispensable tools for determining coin values – all included with your PCGS CoinFacts subscription. >>

Manorcourtman · March 17, 2010 11:46PM

I think it sucks I can't get the entire price guide since I am a Platinum member and have sent them over 5k in grading fees in the last 12 months. I don't need Coin Facts but I like to see their in-between grade price listings. And yes the basic guide is still free, most of us realize that.

Swampboy · March 17, 2010 11:50PM

I see it noted all the time how the mint is flooding the market with new issues each and every year but I never see a post noting how much extra effort it must take for PCGS to track and note guide pricing for these issues.
I for one will not be happy with just a free price guide, I'd frankly like PCGS to send me a free coin too.
Oh, and a room at the Venetian would be nice.

ambro51 · March 18, 2010 12:01AM

We have a toll road nearby.

For years, I commuted back and forth to work, and paid the 25 cents each way.

then......they raised the toll to One Dollar.

I never went on that road, since that day.

So, while they got fifty cents a day from me, without fail, the day they got GREEDY and asked for Two Dollars...........they ended up getting ZERO.

ocon4008 · March 18, 2010 12:52AM

In a recent thread Mr. Willis gave us these words of wisdom "Some of these posts could get irritating if they weren't so naive."

Just thought I would save him the trouble of repeating himself.

LindeDad · March 18, 2010 1:17AM

I used to use it more than I do now. Sorry but the data is free else where and not worth the cost IMO.
And yes I am a paying member of the CC.

Griv · March 18, 2010 1:33AM

I think it hurts PCGS and reduces their influence, but the cost to try to keep up on pricing must be a killer.

tahoe98 · March 18, 2010 2:19AM

<< I'm waiting for them to start charging us a membership fee to use these forums.

>>

.....check today's mail.

tahoe98 · March 18, 2010 2:26AM

<< We have a toll road nearby.

For years, I commuted back and forth to work, and paid the 25 cents each way.

then......they raised the toll to One Dollar.

I never went on that road, since that day.

So, while they got fifty cents a day from me, without fail, the day they got GREEDY and asked for Two Dollars...........they ended up getting ZERO. >>

....yeah but the toll road is still there, yes?

poorguy · March 18, 2010 2:31AM

Heritage's auction archives are what I use. I only use the PCGS price guide when I want to get a general sense of value. It's a great source though. Nobody else has had the cojones to maintain an online price guide as extensive as PCGS does.

dizzyfoxx · March 18, 2010 2:48AM

Does it cost "nothing" for PCGS to create it and maintain it? --no. Should they do it all for free and just pass it off as something for nothing? --no. If someone is willing to pay $ for a coin for their collection, they shouldn't complain about paying $ for a qualified and quantified service relating to their coin hobby.

kurtdog · March 18, 2010 2:57AM

<< Does it cost "nothing" for PCGS to create it and maintain it? --no. Should they do it all for free and just pass it off as something for nothing? --no. If someone is willing to pay $ for a coin for their collection, they shouldn't complain about paying $ for a qualified and quantified service relating to their coin hobby. >>

-no.

ambro51 · March 18, 2010 3:35AM

In my business.......every so often, I give people things FREE>

yes, free. No strings attached. Maybe its not going to add to my "bottom line" but it SURE makes a difference in public relations.

drwstr123 · March 18, 2010 3:44AM

I love it. Especially in these times..and I want more taxes too. Oh, and gas is too cheap, charge more.
In fact, take it all.

TwoSides2aCoin · March 18, 2010 4:19AM

Where's my free lunch, Don ?

BaseballAbs · March 18, 2010 4:50AM

<< It is their business, their product and it cost them to develop and maintain it. Why would they NOT charge?? Cheers, RickO >>

I agree! It does kind of stink however. I really enjoyed the use last year with my paid subscription.

MsMorrisine · March 18, 2010 5:34AM

<< I think it hurts PCGS and reduces their influence, but the cost to try to keep up on pricing must be a killer. >>

I was thinking they had arrangements with eBay, HA, TT, and the like to run a program pulling closing prices to reduce costs on the labor intensive data compilation part... although they would have to look at the compiled data manually.

Bear · March 18, 2010 5:39AM

PHOOEY!

mozin · March 18, 2010 7:09AM

I think PCGS should include the Price Guide with the Platinum Collector's Club membership.

telephoto1 · March 18, 2010 8:02AM

I personally couldn't care less as I don't use the guide. That said, as a paying member I feel that it should be included with paid (silver/gold/plat) memberships. We should get SOMETHING for our annual contribution to the coffers other than a calendar (paid for by ads by the way) and the right to spend MORE money on submissions.

melvin289 · March 18, 2010 11:42AM

I don't expect PCGS to give me the world, but even an expensive retaurant will give you a glass of water. I suspect we are all here because of some affiliation or loyalty to PCGS. I also realize information has value. But I would think PCGS gains much information from monitoring the Forums.

Ron

What are your thoughts on PCGS charging for Price Guide?

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