I have never submitted anything to TPG's. Is it possible to engage them at different localities for an on the spot service? I am highly skeptical of mailing, handling etc. Thanks in advance for any insight!
You're not the only one with that problem. I'm also afraid of sending them anything through the mail. For me it's not about them losing my coins, it's them being damaged or scratched on the way.
Yes, on-site is offered at certain shows, but unless you're talking rather valuable coins here, I suggest that you become more comfortable with shipping. Also, "on-site" and "walk through" does not mean "on the spot" or instant. http://www.pcgs.com/Shows/ http://www.ngccoin.com/events/ http://www.anacs.com/contentPages/CoinShows.aspx
Aw man, the day they'll be near me (philly), is the same day as a massive car show i definately wont be missing.
The answer to the topic question is simply: No. However, they do go to different localities for the major shows but they are therefor in the major cities. The TPG's do this hoping to land new dealer business or to offer their assistance on rare coins. They will take submissions from small collectors simply because they are in attendance and it will help off set show expenses. Their general business model requires collectors to send the coins to them, not so much the other way around.
Remember that if you do attend one of the events and have them grade there there it is going to cost somewhere between $125 and $200 per coin for the grading fee.
Over the last 8-9 years, I have submitted a couple thousand coins to the TPG's and I have never lost any. Fortunately, I don't live in California. Chris
Watking Glen, New York. Here's a link to their page. Last year i accidentally missed it but there was some Ferraris and some gullwing Mercedes (both generations), and some E-Types, and a lot more. http://grandprixfestival.com/schedule.html
If you have money for a plane ticket to California in August and really want to go to the best car show in the world, you should check this one out; http://www.pebblebeachconcours.net/ you've probably heard of the Pebble Beach Concours week before but it's always a nice one to link.
It has already been mentioned, but at the larger shows such as Baltimore, Philadelphia, Orlando, Long Beach, etc...both PCGS and NGC will grade coins on-site. They will also accept coins on-site for grading back at their headquarters at these shows and other larger shows, too. Grading at a show costs a minimum, in general, of slightly over $100 per coin so this is something to keep in mind. Also, grading at shows will not necessarily result in you getting your coins that day, but might require two or three days to get the coin at the show. Finally, even though a show might close on Sunday, there might be a deadline of Friday at noon to submit coins to PCGS or NGC for show grading.
Never lost any coins going to PCGS. I use REGISTERED MAIL, it travels under lock and key and must be signed for by all that touch that package.
If your coins is NOT Valuable, I think you do not need the TPG it's a Waste of MONEY! Now, If your coins is really valuable all you can do Now is take a Picture of It with a close details of Obverse & reverse then Show it to US or put it on YOU TUBE! So that you can protect yourself as being the owner of the said coin/s. Never ever ship it to any TPG because it's a Gamble. It might go somewhere else hand. Loss/Damage/Coin Switching/etc. That's all.
An Highway Robbery! if you let them grade your Susan B Anthony Dollrs, Sacagawea Dollars, Any Presidential Golden Dollars or any Common PEACE/Morgan silver Dollars! etc.. WHY need Plastic if you have only a common coins..
Coin switching? That might not be a bad thing. What if one of the toned dimes i plan on sending them gets switched up with a gold Saint Gaudens. Lol
Then it will be GOOD for You! Even any BANK Teller is making a MISTAKE switching to another name a MILLION US DOLLARS DEPOSIT! Ha Ha ha! there's is NO PERFECT in this World..
It's not crazy. In fact, it can be very good business for both dealers and the TPGs. What would you rather have; wait several weeks while a $10k coin is tied up in grading and shipping and pay about $50 for this service or have the coin back in-hand in a day or so in a new holder to be sold at a show for about $100? If you are certifying $10 coins then it is crazy, but dealers often submit high price coins for these in-show specials.
Good point but to pay someone $100+ to look at your coin for a few seconds seems like a lot of money to me regardless of the cost of the coin and how quick you get it back. But I can see why people do it.