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BULLY

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Journal Entries posted by BULLY

  1. BULLY
    The US Mint probably thought they were doing a good thing...
    I have a much different story than Robert did, even though my FedEx brought my Platinum Eagles from the Mint early as well.
    I believe my coins arrived on XMAS Eve with a ring and a knock from the FedEx driver. I was expecting a number of things from the mint that would require a signature, and they weren't supposed to be shipping the Platinum Eagles until the end of the year, so I innocently OPENED the package. Much to my dismay, it was the 10th Anniversary Set, not my Dolley Madison Proof or anything else that is MUCH LONGER backordered! Why would the mint ever process things in order, that would make too much sense after all. They are too busy producing 2008 coins in 2007 than issuing 2007 items that are backlogged for months. Is it just me?
    My heart just about fell out. The mint has this habit of sending emails to tell you that they are SHIPPING your item the night after they are DELIVERED; a very efficient system they have. Considering the price, and knowing I can't get the Pedigree from NGC on both coins, I returned them to the mint -- now I just hope I can get another set, if they aren't all gone. It just about killed me to return that set, it was STUNNING. The box is beautiful, the inside of it even props itself up to make a display case for the coins, which just GLEAM!
    Now, I am not opening ANYTHING from the Fulfillment Center without carefully checking "My Account" online first! Including a $7.95 State Quarter Collector Spoon which arrived on Saturday that the Fulfullment Center spent $10.15 to send to me via Registered Mail because one of my 2007 subscribtion spoons was never delivered and they had to replace it, so presumably, they wanted to REALLY make sure they got this one here. They don't even use Registered Mail for the Platinum Eagle 10th Anniversary Set, but for a $7.95 state quarter spoon, well...! Is something amiss?!
    So, I am of the opinion that the mint was probably of the thinking that they were doing a good thing to get these sets to people BEFORE Christmas, rather than shipping them on New Years Eve like the order status said. But, instead, they just destroyed the potential re-sale and investment value for the future, because of the rules for grading, for someone who might innocently open a package they weren't expecting for another couple of weeks. No good deed goes unpunished they say, and I'm the victim of this one.
  2. BULLY
    The question you have to ask yourself is this...Do you feel LUCKY?
    Is it just me, or is anyone else wondering if the Mint is going to meet NGC timetable for "Early Release" designation of 2008 Proof Silver American Eagles?
    I have them on a subscription program, yet they haven't shown any signs of shipping yet, and the clock on the window at NGC is ticking!
    I am thinking back to 2006, late in the year when the Mint decided to release Mint State Silver Eagles directly to collectors, with the 2006-W Eagle, late in the year, and of course NGC had it's deadline for the "Early Release" pedigree. Despite placing my order on DAY ONE, and getting confirmation that it was in stock and shipping, the order never came. Time passed, I got emails of delays. I waited. I hoped. 2007 coins came. More 2007 coins came. More. Even more. Finally, sometime around AUGUST of 2007, I got my 2006-W Silver American Eagles (Mint State).
    Anyone want to convey to the Mint a lesson in the notion of "First in, First out?" Is it "just me?" Are my expections WILD?
  3. BULLY
    Or at least giving them the tools the need?
    After reading NGC's announcement yesterday about counterfeit NGC holders, I don't know about anyone else, but my stomach just about fell out. Part of bidding with confidence on Ebay for me, for instance, is buying NGC (or PCGS) graded coins.
    I recognize that NGC and law enforcement may be taking this very seriously. Nonetheless, hearing that counterfeiters went to such elaborate lengths to counterfeit the coins and the slabs was a serious blow to my confidence.
    It also made me wonder: Are we, as Collectors Society members, participating in the NGC Registry, providing potential material to conterfeiters?
    NGC's public statement announced that because they (the counterfeit holders) reflected actual serial numbers on file, they would show in the NGC database, with the correct coin, and the coins on the counterfeit holders matched the counterfeit coins in them.
    Well, we as users of The Registry innocently list our collections WITH SERIAL NUMBERS of the coins for all to see. I don't think any of us could have anticipated such potential for abuse, especially members of such a hobby, close knit group, a "community" even. Counterfeiters can access the database, see serial numbers of coins along with the precise details of what the coin is/should be, even find photos in some cases, and voila!
    So, are we complacent?
    While one solution may be to obscure our sets so NO one can see them, we would punish ourselves and one another in the process. Personally, I'd like to see (and for what it's worth, I encourage others to suggest this to NGC), NGC PUBLICLY obscure the serial number, or more of it, similar to how a restaurant or other merchant obscures the majority of your credit card, and only the last digits show. Or how companies who still use your Social Security Number will obscure most of the number and show only the last few digits. The full serial number can be visible only to the set owner (and to AUTHORIZED NGC staff, which should be limited for security purposes).
  4. BULLY
    I got these coins today (Jan 10th, 2008) and they are the same coin, same year, same grade, all graded by NGC (supposedly), but the holders are noticeably different.
    Ok, these differences are FAR less subtle than in the NGC announcement the other day, and I wonder if NGC just changed the label, or if the counterfeiting is more widespread. I just received the coins today, but since they are coins for the same year and mintmark, color me paranoid, but it seems like they should have similar holders. Ok, I know, they could have been graded at different times, thus accounting for differences in labeling. But after the shocking news the other day, how do we know?
    Ok, I tried to upload my file, it was too big -- I'm going to see what I can do to scan a smaller image, but it may be a little later before the images are attached. It also seems I may only be able to attach ONE side, since ZIP files aren't allowed here.
    Maybe something for NGC to consider is posting examples of how their holders and labels have changed over the years so we know what they look like? A timeline for instance "NGC Slabs Over the Years" Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
    Same coin, same year (sure, they could have been graded years apart). But one hologram label is small, one is large. One is reflective, one is dull. I am admittedly not an expert on NGC holders. The obverse has differences too.

  5. BULLY
    That is the flaw in thinking: That since they are in business to make money, the Mint would provide "customer service."
    When I received the mailing about the Bald Eagle coins on Saturday, I immediately went online to look (and even try to order). On Saturday afternoon, the 13th, the coins were online, to be "for sale" on 01/15/2008 at 12 noon, Eastern Time. So, I waited.
    Now, it seems to me that IF the Mint ACTUALLY planned the outage of the site because it was switching providers, it would OR could have said so on its web site, planned with the mailing, since it was so CAREFULLY timed with the release of a new, WILDLY POPULAR, LIMITED EDITION, coin! But alas, they did not. That would make sense. So, was the outage planned?
    Then, when you call the mint, you go through one, even two prompts, THEN you get told that they are too busy to take your call and to try again later. Lovely.
    When you finally get through, and are on hold for a long, LONG time, the Mint has the AUDACITY to refer you to their web site at www.usmint.gov if you are calling to order the new Bald Eagle coins! Is something amiss? Does one hand know what the other is doing?
    When you finally get through to a live rep, then that rep puts you on hold, immediately. Then, during the order process, that rep puts you on hold not just another time, but a total of 3 more times, for a total of FIVE times during the ordering process. Now, I worked in customer service for a long time, but is it really that complicated? I have the item numbers, descriptions, quantity, and everything ready and waiting -- no mystery, no work , nothing "exceptional" to be done.
    I've had a lot of poor experiences like this with the Mint recently. When I call them and something required a "Senior Rep" (actual customer service beyond an ordering rep), even though I select the option for that from the phone menu, I am directed to a front line rep, who, invariably is unable to help me. However, they do ALL the verifying of the information, you know, name, address, phone, email, blood type, social security number, favorite food, favorite color, eye color, hair color, drivers license number, passport, that sort of thing.
    Then after they realize they can't help you, which you knew from the start, they transfer you to a senior rep who goes through ALL of that AGAIN. When you ask why they didn't share this information with the next person? They ACTUALLY answer "Because we're the government, and we have to do it this way." Once when trying to explain logically to the front line rep that this is exactly what was going to happen, and couldn't he just please transfer me to the Senior Rep, he insisted he needed to verify the information. I asked if the Senior Rep would then have to verify all the same information, to which he replied yes. Then why can't he just transfer me? "Because we're the government" was again the answer -- BELIEVE IT, OR NOT. When I tried to refuse, I was actually told "So, you're going to be difficult about this." I responded "Actually, it's YOU whose being difficult about this." When I relented and finally started giving him everything he wanted, in a slighted frustrated tone, he screamed "QUALITY CONTROL: CUSTOMER ANGRY! DISCONNECTING CALL" and hung up on me. Now, I use that same line when dealing with them. "Quality control, customer angry, CUSTOMER disconnecting call!" I just HOPE it one of probably RARE FEW calls that gets recorded/monitored.
    BANG HEAD HERE!
  6. BULLY
    They're re-designed, but did quality go to the birds?
    Has anyone else gotten Early Release, Mint State, Silver American Eagles from NGC yet?
    I know that MS69 coins are not supposed to be perfect. I mean they are, in so many cases, so close to perfect most of us can't tell the difference. But, from a roll of 20 coins, all MS69, the faces and fields of the coins are SO nicked, so visibly damaged compared to years passed, I am in total shock of the quality from not just the mint, but from NGC because of the MS69 grade -- and I wonder, is it just me?
    I have three 2007 Silver Eagles, for instance, that are just graded by NGC as "Gem Unciculated." According to the Red Book, Gem Uncirculated is about an MS65 graded. These coins look nearly perfect to the eye. The MS69 Early Release coins that I got for 2008, also from NGC, on the other hand, are nicked all over, front and back, and have noticeably less appeal.
    Anyone else? Is it just me?
  7. BULLY
    Good news, for a change!
    Well, I got a package today from the "Fulfillment Center" (read: US Mint) - the third recently. I've been unable or unwilling to open them because I didn't know what was IN them.
    As some of you may recall from my earlier journal entries, the Mint previously did what it probably THOUGHT was a good thing: it delivered the 10th Anniversary Platinum Eagle Sets a week EARLIER than even scheduled from the backorder date.
    What did that mean to me? That meant that since I was expecting plenty of other things from the Mint, when the FedEx driver knocked on the door on Christmas Eve with a package from the Mint's Fulfillment Center, I innocently opened it, after all, the Platinum Eagle 10th Anniversary Set wasn't even supposed to be SHIPPED until December 31st! My heart nearly fell out. As those of us who care about grading (and the value it brings) know, NGC will not certify both coins in this set if the box is opened. I "could" get the reverse proof certified, but for the cost of this set, I don't think so.
    Therefore, I promptly returned it to the US Mint for a new one. Much to my surprise, they actually had new sets, apparently, and I got mine today. I am shocked, pleasantly so. I have of course kept the package sealed, and wrote on it what it was, then highlighting it in ORANGE, so I can place it in another box to send to NGC for grading and certification as a 10th Anniversary Set. HOORAY!
    Oh, I forgot to say how I KNEW that this was the 10th Anniversary set. No x-ray vision here. The US Mint's web site (or portions of it) are FINALLY back up and running (as of today or possibly last night)! This includes ORDER HISTORY! Therefore, I was able to compare order number/tracking number to ensure what items were BEFORE I opened them (or didn't open them in the case of this 10th Anniversary Platinum Eagles).
    Now, off to NGC and hope for a high grade after all this waiting.
    On the upside, on Christmas Eve, I DID get a preview. I've already SEEN the coins in their natural habitat. The wooden case from the mint is gorgeous, and the coins are stunning. It's a great packaging job, and will go VERY well with my Gold 20th Anniversary set from last year, and the Silver Eagle 20th Anniversary Set as well. Treasures all!
    (Especially with these metals hitting record highs again today, have you been watching that?!?!?!??!) As of this morning anyway:
    1/25/2008 11:15:51 AM EST
    Bid Ask Change
    Gold $911.30 912.30 6.60
    Silver $16.3300 16.3800 0.1070
    Platinum $1,680.00 1,690.00 78.50
    For those who are interested in the precious metal prices, most of the 2007 gold is sold out on the mint web site. However, two items were still available.
    1. 2007-W UNCIRCULATED Silver Eagles -- $21.95 - Just a little more than $5 over melt value? Compared to the price for 2008 proofs ($31.95) and presumably what 2008 uncirculated coins may fetch, these may be a bargain.
    2. 2007 PROOF Platinum eagle coins - the ONE OUNCE coin is $1,740.95. With platinum up almost $80 so far today, it's about $60 over MELT for an ounce of platinum.
    *****This is NOT a recommendation on speculative prices*****I am not an expert on these things. However, when I saw coins available directly from the mint on their web site which was just brought back online, I thought I'd share it with people in case you are interested*****
  8. BULLY
    My sincere thanks to rfar for the TIME and ENERGY and ENDURANCE dealing with Heritage and for sharing his experience.
    I truly can't thank this member and this customer enough for taking the time an effort of posting what sounds to me like quite an ordeal.
    Personally, I've wanted to begin selling some coins, and I was overwhelmed by all the ins and outs of the process of starting to sell on eBay, listing items, getting good images, creating listings with IMPACT, accepting PayPal, shipping, and so forth.
    Therefore, when I received mailings from Heritage, and saw in The Numismatist (from the ANA) that they were "the official" auctioneer of the [fill-in-the-blank] coin show or of the ANA, or whatever the relationship was, I felt "They could be the solution to my problem!"
    Their literature was glossy and impressive, and I was lured. Admittedly, the affiliation with the coin shows and the ANA was the reassurance. Now I know that it it may no be all it is cracked up to be, and perhaps doing the job myself (on eBay) isn't so bad after all. That old expression about "If you want it done right, do it yourself" rings truer than ever.
    I wish others who have had bad experiences wrote stories like this gentleman did, and may have spared him, like he has spared me, or at least PREPARED anyone who now chooses to enter a contract with Heritage. I also hope that maybe NOW they will "come out of the closet" if only to say "Yes, this has happened to me too." Sort of like crime victims on Law & Order. If this is a broad and far-reaching problem, perhaps Heritage should be dropped as the "official" auctioneer of anything, a show, or of the ANA, whatever it may be. We will not know until other Heritage customers speak up and say so.
    Tell the ANA -- they say they solicited feedback from members about the contract with NGC being their official grading service. Perhaps feedback about who is the official auctioneer at Money Shows or Conventions is important as well, particularly if ANA members receive such poor service.