NGC should hire another grader or two

[delta]

A faster turn-around time would certainly generate additional submissions for NGC, and will put NGC in a better competitive position, so it absolutely needs to be done.

And the additional submissions would put them right back into the position they are in now.

 

Why is it people seem to think that there is a big pool of very highly qualified "word class" graders out there and the major TPG's can just go out and pick up another one or two of them like McDonalds does fry cooks? It reminds me of one of the comments about Obama's healthcare plan. The critics said that with all the people coming in under the program that there weren't going to be enough doctors. The supporters said "well just have the medical schools accept more students". Medical schools make admissions tough and only take the best so the doctors will be the best. Taking in more students means lowering standards so more pass the entrance tests. Same thing for the TPG's They want the best and they try to get them. To just hire more graders because you need warm bodies would mean a lowering of standards. You want your coins faster, but are you willing to have them graded by a sub-standard grader in order to get them faster?

 

Send in your resume.

[brg5658]

Why is it people seem to think that there is a big pool of very highly qualified "word class" graders out there and the major TPG's can just go out and pick up another one or two of them like McDonalds does fry cooks? It reminds me of one of the comments about Obama's healthcare plan. The critics said that with all the people coming in under the program that there weren't going to be enough doctors. The supporters said "well just have the medical schools accept more students". Medical schools make admissions tough and only take the best so the doctors will be the best. Taking in more students means lowering standards so more pass the entrance tests. Same thing for the TPG's They want the best and they try to get them. To just hire more graders because you need warm bodies would mean a lowering of standards. You want your coins faster, but are you willing to have them graded by a sub-standard grader in order to get them faster?

 

There are a lot of back-seat-driver know-it-alls on these chat boards, so can't they just recruit here?

[Conder101]

Send in your resume.

I know I'm not qualified.

[cpm9ball]

A faster turn-around time would certainly generate additional submissions for NGC, and will put NGC in a better competitive position, so it absolutely needs to be done.

And the additional submissions would put them right back into the position they are in now.

 

Why is it people seem to think that there is a big pool of very highly qualified "word class" graders out there and the major TPG's can just go out and pick up another one or two of them like McDonalds does fry cooks? It reminds me of one of the comments about Obama's healthcare plan. The critics said that with all the people coming in under the program that there weren't going to be enough doctors. The supporters said "well just have the medical schools accept more students". Medical schools make admissions tough and only take the best so the doctors will be the best. Taking in more students means lowering standards so more pass the entrance tests. Same thing for the TPG's They want the best and they try to get them. To just hire more graders because you need warm bodies would mean a lowering of standards. You want your coins faster, but are you willing to have them graded by a sub-standard grader in order to get them faster?

(thumbs u (thumbs u (thumbs u (thumbs u (thumbs u

[gmarguli]

I have seen the Submission Form, and I am curious how a person/company can fill out a submission for 5,000 coins, and expect that the turn around time will be as stated, or that the Grading Company can honor such a request/time table and not have a Plan to solve the issues that are brought to light in this Thread.

 

The TPG grade 125,000+ coins a month each. A 5,000 coin submission will not throw them off schedule. They will also add Saturday hours to help clear the backlog. I recall one modern grader telling me he was working Saturday & Sunday when there was a large submission of some modern blah that was submitted.

 

As for expecting them to meet the stated turnaround time when submitting a large submission, I know when turnaround times were around 3 months I submitted over 2,000 coins on the Economy tier and asked for a two week turnaround. Want to guess their response?

[x2rider]

Would they not be able to just get people on to coveroff the silver eagles. I mean after you had looked at that many then surely you could get the grade right .

[cpm9ball]

Would they not be able to just get people on to coveroff the silver eagles. I mean after you had looked at that many then surely you could get the grade right .

 

After looking at so many eagles, when lunchtime comes around they jump in a lake and try to catch a fish with their feet. Then a gator gets them and they have to hire another person.

 

Chris

[x2rider]

Would they not be able to just get people on to coveroff the silver eagles. I mean after you had looked at that many then surely you could get the grade right .

 

After looking at so many eagles, when lunchtime comes around they jump in a lake and try to catch a fish with their feet. Then a gator gets them and they have to hire another person.

 

Chris

 

And the probelm with this is .........

[coinman_23885]

I submitted a world coin package under the Value tier, and they recieved it on July 25. The package is still "scheduled for grading." Current turnaround times are listed as 43 days! This is ridiculous! Even the standard tier is listed at 27 days!

 

Obviously, if you have enough business that you have a backlog like this, maybe you should consider hiring another grader or two, NGC. I realize your turnaround times are listed on your site and I know what to expect, but seriously, this is unacceptable. Your customer service is well respected, but these times are getting out of hand.

 

I understand that you are frustrated, but you could have always submitted them under a higher tier. As an aside, if NGC is backlogged then I would recommend limiting bullion grading or starting a bullion tier with a longer published turnaround time. Since NGC only charges $17 or so per a coin under its modern tier, they could also just raise the cost to certify the bullion coins to $22. After seeing 15,000 of these a year, that's an extra $75,000 per year. That's probably about the salary of a decent grader.

[physics-fan3.14]

Why is it people seem to think that there is a big pool of very highly qualified "word class" graders out there and the major TPG's can just go out and pick up another one or two of them like McDonalds does fry cooks? It reminds me of one of the comments about Obama's healthcare plan. The critics said that with all the people coming in under the program that there weren't going to be enough doctors. The supporters said "well just have the medical schools accept more students". Medical schools make admissions tough and only take the best so the doctors will be the best. Taking in more students means lowering standards so more pass the entrance tests. Same thing for the TPG's They want the best and they try to get them. To just hire more graders because you need warm bodies would mean a lowering of standards. You want your coins faster, but are you willing to have them graded by a sub-standard grader in order to get them faster?

 

There are a lot of back-seat-driver know-it-alls on these chat boards, so can't they just recruit here?

 

I know, hire noow!!!

 

Seriously though - with a hobby as large as ours, I'm sure they can find one or two people to fill a spot. I'd be happy enough just to hear that they were advertising for a spot, that would at least tell me they were working on the problem.

 

I really would like to hear some official response on this one from NGC. Otherwise, you can bet I'll be mentioning it in January.

[x2rider]

I know, hire noow!!!

 

Then when the grades come in they will have little popcorn stickers on them

[michael]

i will sacrifice myself to become a grader down in good olde sarasota but only for pre 1915 items

[delta]

NGC is looking for full-time World coin specialists to join our team.

 

Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, is looking for professional, knowledgeable, full-time World coin specialists to join our team. We are specifically looking for experts in modern and vintage world coins. Our graders work together, combining their expertise with proven processes to accurately evaluate, authenticate and grade submitted coins.

 

Located in Sarasota, FL, we offer excellent benefits, including medical, vacation and 401(k). Salary commensurate with experience.

 

Submit your resumé in confidence to:

E-mail: jobs@NGCcoin.com

Or mail to:

Numismatic Guaranty Corporation

P.O. Box 4776

Sarasota, FL 34230

Fax: 941-360-2553

[Chris1976]

That job posting has been up for a time now. Since the OP's coins were submited for World Coin Economy, I would guess this could be part of (not entire) the reason for the increased waiting times for world coins.

 

My view is, the waiting times are just estimates, I check the current estimates by looking on the Order Status page through the "Current Estimate Turnaround Times" link. My submissions havent had this increased wait times as of yet, but mine are mostly under the Modern tier anyhow.

 

Side note (slightly off topic):

And yes, I know most dont feel that a modern coin is worth submission fees, but, at one time, all coins were considered to be "modern" at one point or another in their life. I dont see anything wrong with the efforts to protect the modern coins for other generations.

[coinman_23885]

NGC is looking for full-time World coin specialists to join our team.

 

Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, is looking for professional, knowledgeable, full-time World coin specialists to join our team. We are specifically looking for experts in modern and vintage world coins. Our graders work together, combining their expertise with proven processes to accurately evaluate, authenticate and grade submitted coins.

 

Located in Sarasota, FL, we offer excellent benefits, including medical, vacation and 401(k). Salary commensurate with experience.

 

Submit your resumé in confidence to:

E-mail: jobs@NGCcoin.com

Or mail to:

Numismatic Guaranty Corporation

P.O. Box 4776

Sarasota, FL 34230

Fax: 941-360-2553

 

I see a collector's society logo to the side. Is this post legitimate or is it a collector pulling a prank?

[Chris1976]

Its legit, it was sent out in an email recently ( July 12th 2011 Mailing date).

 

http://www.ngccoin.com/news/viewarticle.aspx?NewsletterNewsArticleID=1297

[gmarguli]

As an aside, if NGC is backlogged then I would recommend limiting bullion grading or starting a bullion tier with a longer published turnaround time. Since NGC only charges $17 or so per a coin under its modern tier, they could also just raise the cost to certify the bullion coins to $22. After seeing 15,000 of these a year, that's an extra $75,000 per year. That's probably about the salary of a decent grader.

 

Bullion is graded much cheaper than the modern tier as it is usually submitted in bulk and is super easy/fast to grade, little authenticity verification is needed, and there is very little grade liability for the TPG. It is a very profitable area for the TPG, so much so that one TPG offered to buy another "lower tier" TPG just to get their home shopping modern grading contract.

 

Also, modern graders and bulk graders make far less that 75K. It's a low paying mess job.

[jerseycat10]

Also, modern graders and bulk graders make far less that 75K. It's a low paying mess job.

 

Ouch.

[brg5658]

Bullion is graded much cheaper than the modern tier as it is usually submitted in bulk and is super easy/fast to grade, little authenticity verification is needed, and there is very little grade liability for the TPG. It is a very profitable area for the TPG, so much so that one TPG offered to buy another "lower tier" TPG just to get their home shopping modern grading contract.

 

Also, modern graders and bulk graders make far less that 75K. It's a low paying mess job.

 

If that's the case, why don't they relegate some college student recruits to grading the bullion ASEs and AGEs? It's interesting to me that oftentimes the same people dogging those of us who collect modern coins are the same ones who have a complete set of MS70 graded ASEs. In my opinion, there is more numismatic value in actual coinage, I don't care how many m(b)illions of a coin are minted.

 

As I suggested before (and coinman_23885 regurgitated), why don't they put the bullion issues through a different mechanism and grading tier of their own? Hire some HS-dropouts to assign the random MS69/MS70, and speed things up for the coin submission tier.

[Conder101]

I see a collector's society logo to the side. Is this post legitimate or is it a collector pulling a prank?

It's legitimate, I've seen that same ad looking for graders in the trade publications.

[Scott_Schechter]

physics-fan3.14, we know that you and the rest of our submitters want faster turnaround times. We do, too. We certainly believe that the speed of our service is paramount and, from a customer service perspective, nearly as important as the accuracy and consistency of our grading.

 

So first and foremost, we are working very hard to bring our turnaround times back to their goal levels. It is because we have delivered such good service that we are inundated with submissions and we won’t lose sight of that.

 

We always publish current turnaround times so you should always know the expected wait time for your submissions completion. You can always call NGC customer service for an update, too.

 

The crux of the problem, however, is challenging to solve. Conder101 is correct; top graders are few and far between. We continue to run ads and solicit industry insiders to refer qualified graders to us. We’ve also had some good results. We have six new graders working in the grading room this year and the NGC grading team is the largest it has ever been. That said, it takes years to train a grader to be an NGC finalizer or even to bring him or her to a level where he or she will help meaningfully to reduce turnaround times. We continue to look for more graders who can make a positive contribution.

 

Our message board is also a fair place for you to vent your frustration on this issue. We are listening. I sincerely believe that we are in a better position now to bring down turnaround times. We’ve recently made great strides on the US economy tier gaining back 10 days of extended turnaround time. Making up ground takes time, too. Please know that we value the support we get from the hobby and the patience of our submitters, all who know that we want to get their coins graded right…and as quickly as we can.

 

 

[nk1nk]

physics-fan3.14, we know that you and the rest of our submitters want faster turnaround times. We do, too. We certainly believe that the speed of our service is paramount and, from a customer service perspective, nearly as important as the accuracy and consistency of our grading.

 

So first and foremost, we are working very hard to bring our turnaround times back to their goal levels. It is because we have delivered such good service that we are inundated with submissions and we won’t lose sight of that.

 

We always publish current turnaround times so you should always know the expected wait time for your submissions completion. You can always call NGC customer service for an update, too.

 

The crux of the problem, however, is challenging to solve. Conder101 is correct; top graders are few and far between. We continue to run ads and solicit industry insiders to refer qualified graders to us. We’ve also had some good results. We have six new graders working in the grading room this year and the NGC grading team is the largest it has ever been. That said, it takes years to train a grader to be an NGC finalizer or even to bring him or her to a level where he or she will help meaningfully to reduce turnaround times. We continue to look for more graders who can make a positive contribution.

 

Our message board is also a fair place for you to vent your frustration on this issue. We are listening. I sincerely believe that we are in a better position now to bring down turnaround times. We’ve recently made great strides on the US economy tier gaining back 10 days of extended turnaround time. Making up ground takes time, too. Please know that we value the support we get from the hobby and the patience of our submitters, all who know that we want to get their coins graded right…and as quickly as we can.

 

 

Kudos and a big thanks for the reply. That goes a long way in my book!!

 

I recieved this coin back just two weeks ago, and was dissapointed at the mistake on the label, but have full trust in NGC to keep improving there service.

 

Nick

 

[brg5658]

Kudos and a big thanks for the reply. That goes a long way in my book!!

 

I recieved this coin back just two weeks ago, and was dissapointed at the mistake on the label, but have full trust in NGC to keep improving there service.

 

Nick

 

Well, they accidentally typed 1979 instead of 1879....just as you accidentally typed "there" instead of "their"?? Typos happen....just send it back for relabeling.

[nk1nk]

Kudos and a big thanks for the reply. That goes a long way in my book!!

 

I recieved this coin back just two weeks ago, and was dissapointed at the mistake on the label, but have full trust in NGC to keep improving there service.

 

Nick

 

Well, they accidentally typed 1979 instead of 1879....just as you accidentally typed "there" instead of "their"?? Typos happen....just send it back for relabeling.

 

Actually I didn't accidentally type "there". I'm just pretty much grammar retarded, that's why I dont get paid to do any type of data entry or checking for data accuracy. I know accidents happen everyday, I get that.

 

Nick

[physics-fan3.14]

physics-fan3.14, we know that you and the rest of our submitters want faster turnaround times. We do, too. We certainly believe that the speed of our service is paramount and, from a customer service perspective, nearly as important as the accuracy and consistency of our grading.

 

Scott - thanks for acknowledging the problem and promising to work on it. That kind of feedback from the company is just one reason why you guys are the best

[rrantique]

physics-fan3.14, we know that you and the rest of our submitters want faster turnaround times. We do, too. We certainly believe that the speed of our service is paramount and, from a customer service perspective, nearly as important as the accuracy and consistency of our grading.

 

Scott - thanks for acknowledging the problem and promising to work on it. That kind of feedback from the company is just one reason why you guys are the best

 

(thumbs u

[cpm9ball]

physics-fan3.14, we know that you and the rest of our submitters want faster turnaround times. We do, too. We certainly believe that the speed of our service is paramount and, from a customer service perspective, nearly as important as the accuracy and consistency of our grading.

 

Scott - thanks for acknowledging the problem and promising to work on it. That kind of feedback from the company is just one reason why you guys are the best

 

Now, you can take back what you said!

 

CHRIS

[Conder101]

Scott - thanks for acknowledging the problem and promising to work on it. That kind of feedback from the company is just one reason why you guys are the best

Very true, ATS the thread would have just gone "Poof" and there might have been some bannings as well. (How dare we criticize the company!)

[leeg]

No doubt about that Conder. NGC is #1 in my book. (thumbs u

[CHABSENTIA]

There are problems on both ends. I have an Early Bird submission with NGC. They received it on September 1, 2011.Here is the problem for me. The normal rate for a Turnaround her is 12 working days. They now have the current working days as 13 and it has been so for at least three days. Today is the 22nd and it is still in "Scheduled for Grading". It has been more than 13 working days. Why can't NGC adjust it properly so that one doesn't have to keep referring back to check the grades on their coins only to find it still scheduled for grading past their current turnaround times.

 

One Poster her said he knew of somebody submitting 5000 coins. The 2011 W silver eagle has just been released by the U.S Mint. Is this causing a back log with these submissions?. If they are sent in on the Modern tier which is a longer time ten are they going to the head f the line because it is a new issue or jut creating a back log?.

 

I no longer purchase the program with NGC where I get 10% off the grading of my coins and just purchase the one where I get the invoice for 5 free coins since I am constantly in the dark as to why it is taking longer than advertised to grade the coin and why it is taking so long. If my coins are supposed to have a revised turnaround of 13 working days and they are still scheduled for grading after 16 working days with no update or explanation then why purchase the upgrade etc?.

 

People are either satisfied or unsatisfied with any particular service and need to vote on that basis with their money. On the other hand, if the Consumer related Business is making a larger profit with their present means of service then that is their choice.

 

If they are not making a profit with their present means of service a and continue to do the same thing then that is also their choice.

 

The consumer also needs to do whatever they feel is best for them.

 

It does no good to complain.