I too found this discussion because I stumbled upon a very interesting G&F advert and was researching them before I committed the cash... they're advertising the monthly acquisition program with PCGS/NGC slabbed Mint State and Proof coins... ex. $300 monthly brings you $600 retail... slabbed coins in MS/PF state avoids cleaned and damaged coins... as an ANA member they shouldn't be passing you counterfeits... of course they define what retail value is... which appears to be where any differences of opinion will occur... Ok... here's an idea that I have been pondering and may very well attempt to try it out... join your local coin club (which I've already done)... work out a monthly arrangement with a coin dealer who's part of the club (to be determined)... The concept of the plan: The dealer brings the coins from a pre-agreed upon range of desired series every month to the meeting where you pay her/him the pre-agreed upon cost (and save the cost of postage)... In the agreement you define your collection interests, specific holes in your collections, desired grades, slabbed and/or raw, etc... and meeting together monthly will also allow you to easily adjust your desires as your collection grows.