Misadventures At the TPG, Or How they Increase Profits

That's all I've ever seen from them in the past as well. I'm not a fan of soliciting the service after the initial grading, if they had a box to check to ask for such before the grade posted I'd like that option better. Regardless of that though I do really dislike how many posts on forums end up with the if you pay them more you get a higher grade

 

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You can select conservation beforehand (via NCS) and combine it with grading.

As far as showing the grade before offering the service, I actually prefer that because it gives you more options. If the grade is what you expected or better, it is easier to decline. If the grade is lower than expected, it makes more sense to go for it. The one thing I would like is to see a photo or at least a description of what they think needs to be conserved (in my two examples I had no idea-that's partially why I declined both times). However, I know that would add even more time and expenses, so NGC likely thinks it is not worth it.

 

I’m guessing they have data that says it’s better for them to do the offerings than just make you choose it beforehand.

I just get a little sort of door to door soliciting vibe from it but I can understand how submitters could use it to their advantage. I had declined the options when offered to me as well just not really being comfortable with the details provided like in your case especially when they were straight graded coins already.

I have thought about mixing in a few I know need it, but could never really come up with a submission that made sense doing so.

 

Here is a Bing search of what a NGC slab looks like with the word conservation on it. Not sure if the Op's coin will have it on the slab ???

 

I'm thinking that refers to the series. In 1978, Afghanistan issued a series of conservation coins, IUCN endangered species or what have you. I used to own the silver Siberian crane one at one point. Beautiful coin.

 

Guess I'm too literal.......

 

No they did not directly say that but did imply strongly it would be worth my while.

 

Gottcha.

My beef isn't with you, it's with the TPG'er. Just don't seem right with me.

 

There was a real big coin where it ended up being a disaster going through the conservation (I want to say 1700s dollar or 1804 dollar but its eluding me off the top of my head) so this is absolutely true. If its just removing a light haze its easy enough you really dont have to worry, but some of the more complex stuff can end up doing more harm than good

 

Yes, and there is the issue of copper or brass coins - I don't think they chase after those and a bit chancy in anybody's hands.
But my original OP was that they had suggested (and sorry to say I deleted the email that I get this done) I do this and I simply pushed as I recall a "yes" or green button to make it so.
I've had some other doozies not so much with "hostage grading" but rather the inconsistencies of grading matte proofs and specimens, esp. Brit silver. But that is another issue altogether.

 

You constantly complain about TPGs yet continue to use both. Either you’re a masochist or you’re just a complainer at heart (or both).

I have never known NGC to be anything other than professional. If they said it could use conservation then you clearly overlooked something that they saw under proper lighting and closer inspection. You also then trusted them and allowed them to do the conservation - but then you complain about the results. A logical person would have talked to them on the phone about what they saw on the surface that prompted the suggestion of conservation.

I’m so confused what the take-away from this post is supposed to be. I think the insinuation that the conservation services are going to become a cash cow racket recommended Willy Nilly is a bit too cynical for even me.

 

The word “conservation” on that slab has to do with the coin series being dedicated to Nature Conservation of animals. It has nothing to do with NCS conservation services.

 

Ah, Happy Labor Day to You and ALL Sir!
If you chose to read carefully I did explain. In fact many times the services operate as profit-motivated and they are a business which I do not begrudge them. My point was to alert potential consumers; BTW they do provide a service though certainly are fallible (and I did not suggest that this was necessarily a problem or error even if mild conflict of interest might be involved) and there are certain series where they do come up lacking and I have discussed these to some extent previously but not as a part of this thread. You have no idea of my background or expertise as an observer, collector or cataloguer and I do not care to lay it out for you - suffice it to say it is plenty and I will leave it at that.
I do not own a TPG so can not make up my own slabs, otherwise I probably would. Do note that I have no problems in bringing discoveries or interests to light as I am sure you have seen and more or less publishing findings including grades, etc. naturally follows. The TPGs are fine as far as they go and they are what they are, and we could all have a RAH RAH session on them (perhaps in another post). Maybe we just don't all have to accept them as gospel and my overall argument is that we should keep that in mind
As you may have surmised, tomorrow is not promised and as I have a collection that will be passed on, some coins have been slabbed. In addition, as to a point already poised, I will likely be selling a couple of them on, and so while I may not see inherent value for ME in it, others do place value on grades - by implication that may include you, kind Sir.
You may choose to read a bit more carefully on this and other occasions as you seem to have missed what I was saying and will note that I did not complain but rather took them up on the offer as in all likelihood that amount and more would be made up in resale in this instance.

 

Given how much business the TPGs currently have I doubt if they purposely try to sucker a customer into an extra conservation fee. I noticed today that the turnaround time for regular submissions at PCGS is now 60 business days. So I don't expect my July submission until late October or early November.