I'm considering sending some off for grading. I don't trust handing these over to a dealer to submit them for me. I know many dealers are honest and all --- this is just me. Is it as simple as signing up for a subscription to PCGS and paying a fee for each coin submitted?
Depends on the membership level you sign up for, but there are usually some free submission coupons that come with PCGS or NGC membership, you can answer your questions by reading their membership pages at their respective web sites. Also, if you are a member of the ANA, you can submit coins to NGC and NCS without being a member, just have to sign an authorization form and put a credit card on file, and you can submit notes to PMG in the same fashion if you are an ANA member.
....i know of some collectors that submit their coins thru dealers that are members of PCGS and what they do (which might be a tad over the top) is take a few detailed pics of the coin BEFORE they hand the coins over to the dealer. they then have proof (in their mind) of the actual coin submitted and feel they have an argument if the old 'switcharoo' is pulled on them. they sorta weave this in to their conversation at the time that they give it to the dealer for submitting. i guess they feel they are doing their part in keeping the dealer honest.
I suppose I am not so trusting and feel that if I put it in their hands, if they like the coin, they can always play the old switcharoo on you then claim that was the coin you gave them. Even if you have pictures, they might still refuse or claim you were the one that switched the coins!
