What do you think of PCGS Collectors Universe?

It's good. You did your homework........

 

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It was the companion thread to this one on the PCGS board that made me think about posting again on CT. I had never removed CT from my Favorites folder, but had simply melted away from reading or posting to the site. The three reasons I gave for not frequenting here have not all been resolved, but thankfully the most important reason that I was not here (my older daughter's critical illness) has completely resolved so the other two matters are essentially trivial. Regardless, I am here on CT again and will see how often I can contribute these days.

I will, however, add my impressions of the PCGS boards as well as some of the thoughts I have after reading this thread. My opinion is that the PCGS boards give the deepest knowledge base for US coins, but that they, too, have folks on there that I would rather not read. The moderation on the PCGS boards appears to be like a toggle switch in that it is either all on or all off. In my personal experience with moderation, I have found that a polite, detailed email to the upper management of PCGS has always resulted in a polite, detailed email response and this has allowed any issue to be resolved quickly and painlessly. The NGC boards are obviously much slower than the PCGS boards in terms of velocity of posts, but I have always believed that it is important for folks to have more than one vibrant board to participate in on the net and so I support that board, too.

 

Tom, I am happy you are still with us, You are one of the members of the PCGS board that I read everytime I see a post. Not that I can often find much time either, but glad to see your ID here on posts again.

Jim

 

I was a member of the PCGS Boards for over 6 years and found it very educational. I made many friends there as well. I was banned a few months ago for defending myself from another board member. NEVER was I given any explanation and it took multiple phone calls to even get Don Willis on the phone. Basically they can ban anyone they want, at any time they want, for whatever reason they want, and do not have to give any explanation for it. The only way I would return is if I recieve a written apology from the moderators. Also I will add, while the majority of people there are very helpful, there are also a handful of twofaced individuals who are not what they appear.

And I am sure the PCGS dealers submit their coins, just through a third party or someone who works for them.

 

Hi Tom! Glad to see you posting over here, and even more pleased to hear your daughter is doing better. Take care...MikeInFL

 

IMO, I think a thread such as this makes for a great sounding board and/or "customer satisfaction survey". If one owner/founder of the forum site capitalizes on the strengths of CU, NGC, Coincommunity, CT and so on, that they'll have a flexible site with more depth that will cater to all collector levels and knowledge. I'll be honest, like most of you have pointed out, Cointalk is an overall friendly, if not a little more novice level for facts and conversations. Where as CU is hardcore deep dive knowledge about everything there is to know and very much unforgiving to the newbie, very intimidating. Overall, each provides different tiers of knowledge and expert opinions.

 

I do not have any problems with Collector's Universe. I also post over there at CU but I am not a regular poster since I do not post much over there but I do lurk. I also like to post over here but I do not post as much but I do read certain threads that interest me. I like to contribute as what knowledge that I can to the boards that I feel comfortable with. With all of that said, the main board that I post on is GIM2 since I have a longer history over there than I do over here or on CU.

 

:thumb:

 

Welcome back :thumb:

 

I agree, though I do not know you sir I am glad your daughter is doing well.

 

I am a member of every major numismatic board. I find that they all have their merits. That being said I prefer CT personally. There are a couple of reasons. To me a privately owned board is better. It's not a corporate place run by corporate folks. CU and NGC boards are ran corporately and their rules are their rules... And they will have little tolerance for people bashing the corporation that is paying for the forum... I can't say I would respond differently in their shoes.

Another reason I prefer CT is one of the reasons others have knocked CT. I like to help. New collectors and enthusiast are the lifeblood of this hobby. Putting up with a lot of "newbie" post is part of expanding the hobby and helping to ensure that it stays strong... Because where would companies like CU and NGC be without collectors?

 

Completely agree Matt. While sometimes I get a little tired of telling people red book prices are not set in stone, that 1965 quarter is most likely not silver, and yes, ancient coins survived without looking like Ebay dreck, I have to remember that TO THEM this is new information and they honestly want help by coming here.

 

Here at Coin Talk, I learn something new everyday and I can voice an opinion or make a comment without being berated for not being omniscient. I see that happen a lot at the other forum. You get a lot of "who cares?". Well, I care or I wouldn't be posting or reading that particular thread with interest.

I'm more of a lurker at the other forum. I don't post much there anymore because I don't feel like I have much to contribute or have been made to feel that way.

 

I was a member of CT first, then after I was here a bit I joined NGC and the CU forums. At the time, the CU forum was hard for me to navigate, and a lot of the posts were over my head. As I spent a couple years here and with my head in books learning more about the hobby, I find that I spend a bit more time over there than here reading. I don't post much here or there, but I like both sites.
I never really could get into the format of the NGC board, but have nothing against that site either.

 

I think you put it the best.

 

You must not post much on NGC's boards -- They have never removed a thread that criticized NGC as a company that I know of. They have rules about trolling, respect, etc. like all other boards. I would personally say that the NGC board is more lenient than CT regarding even those topics. PCGS on the other hand is known for running a tighter ship, and does not tolerate any corporate negativity/criticism very well.

 

This is pretty much how I feel too. Both have value, I try to stay away from the venom spewers but there are lots of nice folks in both places. And some of the Other Kind.

 

It has been a while...

 

It's true, Matt. In fact, many of the regular members over there are CU exiles. They can take criticism over there a lot better than at CU.

 

+1 here