Anyone ever feel (or know) they got back a different coin than they submitted to a third party graging service? If so, tell your story here.
Never heard that before, but I've read stories of where the third party graders conserved their coins prior to slabbing w/o their consent. Give us some more details of what is going on.
Long ago a friend of the family sent a complete collection of the old half dollar commems into one of the big name TPG'ers and swore that most of the coins he received back were lower grade than he submitted. Not sure what the final outcome of his complaint was. Ever since hearing that story, I've been afraid to submit anything to them because it would be easy for them to switch coins, especially uncirculated coins that may have less apparent markings/wear that are identifiable.
I always take pictures of coins before sending them anywhere. Then compare them to what is returned - neither me or my father have had any issues yet.
Yeah, I guess it would be easier these days, with the new cameras, to get high res pics that would show features of an unc. Good idea! Thanks
Might want to clarify exactly what he meant. Is it possible the TPG grades were lower than what he expected ? Are you certain he feels the coins themselves were switched ? I personally have never heard of any coin-switching. I sincerely doubt one of the Big Boys would do something like this. They totally depend on the customers' trust for the exact reason you mentioned in the OP; if there were truth to even one of these rumors, people would blow it out of proportion and perception would be that they do it all the time. At that point, the entire business would be in real trouble. They earn their money from grading coins, not selling them. Why would they risk their entire empire with a stunt like this ? They're making huge bank already.
Hmm... sounds more like what might happen if one sent their coins to a Third Graders Party! :mouth: No one wants to loose their baby in a maternity ward mix up and most TPGs are very explicit in their method of tracking submissions to assuage such fears. Seriously, taking pics of your coins for any reason, security being the first, or before sending off for grading is really advisable. Also, getting in the habit of photographic tracking is good advice if you are selling coins in online auctions and shipping them out to buyers. Keep a file of the images used in the listings, take pics of the item when packing and the addressed parcel. It may sound excessive but I say do what you can to cover your items if disputed later with a carrier, customer or if your TPG erroneously swaps a coin. There was a thread in the last couple months that displayed a (an NGC?) label with inaccurate info. Accidents happen despite the safeguards in place, not sure how this incident wrapped up.
Yeah, I understand the reasons to take pics, but, consider this scenario. You've just search all your new satin finish coins and because there's a huge premium on MS69's, you want to submit all those you think qualify. Now these coins are so perfect, it's next to impossible to distinguish them from other 69's - so, a switch would be easy, even with pics. And, at this time, there are a lot of satins being submitted, so the TPG'ers would have many opportunities to switch (maybe in favor of their big clients). Since the TPG'ers business relies on integrity, I don't think it's a wide spread problem [switching], but there are bad employees everywhere. I don't know, are there any safeguards that would prevent a bad employee from switching coins? Also, how do you prevent submission bias in favor of the TPG’ers big clients?
Trust is the basis of all good relationships. However grading remains subjective. One who submits to a TPG for grading submits to the other party's opinion and faith in their procedure. "Bad employees" need to be terminated if discovered and to stand as example for what is not tolerated to the detriment of the industry. PCGS grading process video NGC grading process steps ANACS submission process FAQ ICG has really gone downhill (IMO), they used to have their process online as well.
Being the accountant I am, trust is only gained through verification. lol Or when it comes to financial transactions, how do you say, screw you? Answer: trust me. So, I'd say there have to be safeguards (internal controls), if they want trust. Addressing your other point, has a bad employee ever been fired at a TPG'er and it publicized in other to gain the public's faith? I know there are problems publicizing it, due to possible lawsuits, yet if the act was prosecuted, I think it would be public record.
I hear you, most definitely. I'm sure there is an issue with disclosing the details of a termination with concerns related to retaliatory lawsuits from the former employee. Also, I loved the pun on verification.
Never had any mix ups when I sent coins in for grading, but perhaps I should protect myself by taking photos of each submission. I haven't worried about it before. And I know all of my coins personally................. so I know if I got them back.
There have been cases of people getting back coins other than those they sent in, but they are rare, and in almost every case it was the result of coins from one persons submission being sent to another person and in almost every one of those cases the mixup was straightened out. It is really something you don't have to worry about with the major services because their reputations are worth a LOT more than your coins. When you get to the fly-by-nights and the bottom feeders on the other hand their reputations aren't worth much so your coins might be worth switching.
The Key word here is "mixup". Yes, mistakes happen. The major TPGs have a very, very high batting average, but nobody's perfect. In the rare case this happens, I'm sure the TPGs would bend over backward to clear that up - based upon other good experiences with their customer service.
