No more PCGS public Friday's ???

robkool · August 14, 2011 2:08AM

Looks like they removed the public Friday dates from the show schedule... I guess the only way I can submit coins now is through one of these coin shows.

illini420 · September 15, 2011 8:59AM

I just looked at the show schedule on the PCGS site to see when the next public Friday was and I saw this message:

<< Please note: All Public Friday dates have been removed. In order to submit to PCGS, you may mail your submissions or locate a trade show listed below near you. >>

well that sucks!!!!!!!

NeoStar · September 15, 2011 9:10AM

Please pardon my ignorance but, what was a "Public Friday"?

illini420 · September 15, 2011 9:13AM

<< Please pardon my ignorance but, what was a "Public Friday"? >>

It's where they let us locals come into PCGS and drop off our submissions in person once a month.

Of course, it saves us the shipping costs and insurance to mail our coins just down the street, but I've also used the service in the past for high value coins that I just don't feel comfortable putting in the mail under any circumstances.

WTCG · September 15, 2011 9:49AM

Public Fridays were tying up the CS reps for most of the afternoon and often times on those days the hold times for calls were extremely long. Also last week one rep left the ranks so the staff for the time being is understaffed as it is.

DieClash · September 15, 2011 9:56AM

<< Public Fridays were tying up the CS reps for most of the afternoon and often times on those days the hold times for calls were extremely long. Also last week one rep left the ranks so the staff for the time being is understaffed as it is. >>

Bad business decision if you ask me (and I am a Customer Service Professional). As such, the entire organization should be focused on Customer Service because that is the cash-register of the Company. If you're in the business of grading coins and you ignore walk-up business you are commiting a major blunder. Everyone in the organization from the CEO on down should be focused on Customer Service. If your short-handed, then HRH or DW should be willing to step up to the plate and take orders.

Not only should they be taking walk up business once-a-month, but rather every business day of the year. In my Professional opinion, there is no difference in walk-up sales orders versus orders received via mail, e-mail, EDI, telephone or any other means.

TPGs are service providers and they are disservicing their local clients with this fool-of-a-policy if you ask me.

Cheers!

Kirk

Barndog · September 15, 2011 10:02AM

next thing you know, Friday nights at Otis' house will be gone too

golfer72 · September 15, 2011 10:13AM

<< 

<< Public Fridays were tying up the CS reps for most of the afternoon and often times on those days the hold times for calls were extremely long. Also last week one rep left the ranks so the staff for the time being is understaffed as it is. >>

Bad business decision if you ask me (and I am a Customer Service Professional). As such, the entire organization should be focused on Customer Service because that is the cash-register of the Company. If you're in the business of grading coins and you ignore walk-up business you are commiting a major blunder. Everyone in the organization from the CEO on down should be focused on Customer Service. If your short-handed, then HRH or DW should be willing to step up to the plate and take orders.

Not only should they be taking walk up business once-a-month, but rather every business day of the year. In my Professional opinion, there is no difference in walk-up sales orders versus orders received via mail, e-mail, EDI, telephone or any other means.

TPGs are service providers and they are disservicing their local clients with this fool-of-a-policy if you ask me.

Cheers!

Very well said!

Kirk >>

dbldie55 · September 15, 2011 10:14AM

Well that sucks. Guess I will keep using my local dealer as I have always done.

Don't see it having a real impact. Was a nice gesture for local customers.

Swampboy · September 15, 2011 10:16AM

<< next thing you know, Friday nights at Otis' house will be gone too

>>

NeoStar · September 15, 2011 10:31AM

It's where they let us locals come into PCGS and drop off our submissions in person once a month.

Thanks Illini!

illini420 · September 15, 2011 10:37AM

<< It's where they let us locals come into PCGS and drop off our submissions in person once a month.

Thanks Illini! >>

No problem. Actually it's not just locals that used it. While waiting for my turn at the last public Friday I went to I was talking to a guy that flew in from Florida just to come to the Public Friday. He had a six figure coin with him that he wanted to submit and since the max insurance for Registered Mail is only $25k and he didn't have private insurance, he figured he'd just bring it in person. He did bring his daugher along and said they were going to Disneyland before making the trip home

robkool · September 15, 2011 10:40AM

Wish they can bring it back for us collectors...

DieClash · September 15, 2011 10:43AM

<< 

<< It's where they let us locals come into PCGS and drop off our submissions in person once a month.

Thanks Illini! >>

No problem. Actually it's not just locals that used it. While waiting for my turn at the last public Friday I went to I was talking to a guy that flew in from Florida just to come to the Public Friday. He had a six figure coin with him that he wanted to submit and since the max insurance for Registered Mail is only $25k and he didn't have private insurance, he figured he'd just bring it in person. He did bring his daugher along and said they were going to Disneyland before making the trip home

>>

Good for him and his daughter. Shame on CU! Way bad policy. Ya gotta treat your customers like gold 'cause without 'em you ain't gonna be in business much longer.

Cheers!

Kirk

WTCG · September 15, 2011 10:56AM

PCGS still accepts visitors if they are trusted and known people. Build a repore with the staff and they'll let you stop by the office.

They always allow me into the building during business hours and if they're willing to do that they'll let others in as well.

WTCG · September 15, 2011 10:59AM

<< 

<< 

<< It's where they let us locals come into PCGS and drop off our submissions in person once a month.

Thanks Illini! >>

No problem. Actually it's not just locals that used it. While waiting for my turn at the last public Friday I went to I was talking to a guy that flew in from Florida just to come to the Public Friday. He had a six figure coin with him that he wanted to submit and since the max insurance for Registered Mail is only $25k and he didn't have private insurance, he figured he'd just bring it in person. He did bring his daugher along and said they were going to Disneyland before making the trip home

>>

Good for him and his daughter. Shame on CU! Way bad policy. Ya gotta treat your customers like gold 'cause without 'em you ain't gonna be in business much longer.

Cheers!

Kirk >>

If prior arrangements are made and if PCGS is informed in advance that a six-figure submission is coming I'm certain they would allow you to stop by.

DieClash · September 15, 2011 11:04AM

<< PCGS still accepts visitors if they are trusted and known people. Build a repore with the staff and they'll let you stop by the office.

They always allow me into the building during business hours and if they're willing to do that they'll let others in as well. >>

WTCG, I follow your threads and you are a respected numismatist, but this "policy" you quote is "elitist" IMO. Maybe there is something in the CU business model that I don't understand. Because, IMO, anyone regardless of "elitist pedigree" who knocks on their BM door is a potential customer and should be treated as such, IMO.

Cheers!

Kirk

WTCG · September 15, 2011 11:10AM

<< 

<< PCGS still accepts visitors if they are trusted and known people. Build a repore with the staff and they'll let you stop by the office.

They always allow me into the building during business hours and if they're willing to do that they'll let others in as well. >>

WTCG, I follow your threads and you are a respected numismatist, but this "policy" you quote is "elitist" IMO. Maybe there is something in the CU business model that I don't understand. Because, IMO, anyone regardless of "elitist pedigree" who knocks on their BM door is a potential customer and should be treated as such, IMO.

Cheers!

Kirk >>

There is nothing "elitist" going on here. All I'm saying is get to know the people who operate PCGS, let them know you're coming, and be cordial with them and they will let you stop by their office. Considering the facility and security requirements it is not prudent for PCGS to leave the front door wide open for Joe Public like they do at Wal-Mart.

If it's any consolation NGC and ANACS do not allow public visitors at their buildings either.

illini420 · September 15, 2011 11:16AM

well those of us who show up on Fridays weren't exactly "joe public" either... we were at least members of the CU Collector's Club

DieClash · September 15, 2011 11:22AM

<< 

<< 

<< PCGS still accepts visitors if they are trusted and known people. Build a repore with the staff and they'll let you stop by the office.

They always allow me into the building during business hours and if they're willing to do that they'll let others in as well. >>

WTCG, I follow your threads and you are a respected numismatist, but this "policy" you quote is "elitist" IMO. Maybe there is something in the CU business model that I don't understand. Because, IMO, anyone regardless of "elitist pedigree" who knocks on their BM door is a potential customer and should be treated as such, IMO.

Cheers!

Kirk >>

There is nothing "elitist" going on here. All I'm saying is get to know the people who operate PCGS, let them know you're coming, and be cordial with them and they will let you stop by their office. Considering the facility and security requirements it is not prudent for PCGS to leave the front door wide open for Joe Public like they do at Wal-Mart.

If it's any consolation NGC and ANACS do not allow public visitors at their buildings either. >>

I hadn't considered the security aspect and now I understand the policy. And I agree, that if they "know" you they will let you in. That said, it shouldn't be a casual old-boys network type of thing but rather a well-spelled out policy to allow John Q Pulblic in thru the front doors, having met certain security standards, not unlike the TSA requirements at airports. I'm not saying they should pat down the potential public customers, but rather have them pre-screened such as making a Dr's appointment.

I throw out the term "elitist" because it seems to me that you have an automatic front-door pass and someone like I do not. No offense intended, but PCGS could really improve upon their front door policy to include more hobbyists, previously unknown to them. Maybe open up the doors to CU subscribers, allegedly they "know" who these people are.

Cheers!

Kirk

EDITED: To add not only CU members but also ANA members an other numusmatic organizations (ANS, PNG, and the like). If security is the issue, then why not allow anyone here who is "registered" and posts for free? They have our e-mail addresses and names. It's not like we're trying to enter Fort Knox thru the front doors. Just sayin'!

dbldie55 · September 15, 2011 12:17PM

The more you read this thread, the more it seems changing the policy was the correct thing to do.

paladin · September 15, 2011 12:24PM

Sorry but it does sound elitist. 6 months ago I called our hosts & told them I had 4 lbs of silver coins I wanted to bring in for grading. They said no way will I get in the bldg. - that I had to either ship them or give them to a dealer. This is the first I've heard of a public Friday. Leaves me with a real nice impression.

Kaelasdad · September 15, 2011 4:15PM

When ever I visited SoCal, i would bring some coins with me for public Friday. I was planning to do it this winter--I hate using the forms online--personal preference-- and always enjoyed interacting with the staff. I understand big, local submitter s have some access there, but it is not a place for random stop bys and chat sessions--as noted when people pace waiting for submission results. I wish they had kept the public Fridays though.

For those who applaud them closing off that route, its probable they never took advantage of it, and dont know what they missed.

oreville · September 16, 2011 9:38AM

I would think that a public Fridays twice a year would be a nice balance between a nice goodwill gesture on the part of PCGS and yet maintaining superior efficiency in the office.

Twice a year to me would work out fine for most collectors.

illini420 · September 16, 2011 11:03AM

<< I would think that a public Fridays twice a year would be a nice balance between a nice goodwill gesture on the part of PCGS and yet maintaining superior efficiency in the office.

Twice a year to me would work out fine for most collectors. >>

We already pretty much have this with the Long Beach show three times a year since PCGS takes submissions there. But we do have to pay $8 to get in the door for that, but there's a show too

golfer72 · September 16, 2011 12:37PM

Stupid decision!

krueger · September 16, 2011 3:04PM

When I went there, there were 5:1 baseballcard submitters for every coin submitter.

I waist too much precious bourse time at shows waiting at the busy submission table , at public fridays thats all I came to do, and a wait is no problem.

Show submission Makes the experience more rushed. I, for one am not happy.

Maybe PCGS wants to eventually just deal with the collecting public through its dealer network.

Krueger

No more PCGS public Friday's ???

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