5 Critical PCGS Submission Mistakes That Delay Your Grading Results (And How to Avoid Them)

5 PCGS Submission Mistakes That Keep Your Coins Stuck in Grading Limbo (And How to Fix Them)

If you’ve ever felt that sinking feeling when your PCGS submission seems stuck in grading purgatory, you’re not alone. After helping hundreds of collectors navigate this process, I’ve found most delays trace back to these five avoidable errors. Let’s get your coins moving faster.

Mistake #1: Expecting Photos Before Slabbing

That moment when “Being Imaged” pops up after encapsulation? It’s not a glitch – it’s standard PCGS workflow.

Why This Trips People Up

PCGS snaps those high-res photos after slabbing because it’s easier to handle and reduces damage risk. The images you see online? Taken through the holder.

You Might Be Making This Error If:

• You’re refreshing your tracking page hourly wondering why “imaging” hasn’t started
• The status sequence seems backwards to you
• You’ve considered calling PCGS about “missing” pre-slab photos

Simple Fix

Memorize this actual sequence:

1. Check-in
2. Grading
3. Slabbing
4. Photography
5. Final inspection
6. Shipping

When to Actually Worry

If “Being Imaged” lasts over 5 business days:

• Wait 48 more hours (their camera queue varies)
• Then contact support with your submission number
• Ask specifically: “Has my imaging been completed?”

Mistake #2: Treating Status Updates Like Live Tracking

The PCGS portal isn’t FedEx tracking – those statuses mark process stages, not real-time movement.

The “Being Imaged” Illusion

One collector’s submission showed this status for months. Why? It just meant their coins were in the imaging queue – not actively being photographed that whole time.

Red Flags You’re Misreading Statuses:

• No change for weeks during busy seasons
• Different submissions showing identical statuses with varied processing times
• Status freezing right before major PCGS events

Better Tracking Method

Try this instead:

1. Mark your calendar with PCGS’s current turnaround times
2. Count business days from arrival, not status changes
3. Call every Friday for progress updates

When Statuses Truly Stall

If delays exceed published timelines:

1. Gather your submission documents
2. Email submissions@pcgs.com with "TIMELINE EXCEEDED: [Your #]"
3. Dial (800) 447-8848 - have your submission # ready


Mistake #3: Forgetting Humans Run This Show

Real people handle every status update. That manual process creates natural variations that frustrate collectors expecting Amazon-like precision.

The Walkthrough Service Twist

Premium submissions often hit Quality Assurance before imaging – the exact opposite of regular service flow. This trips up many experienced collectors.

Signs You’re Seeing Human Workflow:

• Status updates at 8:05 PM EST (after regular hours)
• Identical submissions processed in different sequences
• Noticeable slowdowns after three-day weekends

Smart Adjustment

Build in buffer time:

“PCGS’s published timelines? Add 15% – always.” – Veteran Submitter Mantra

When Manual Handling Causes Delays

If stuck in limbo:

• Ask for a supervisor after 3 business days
• Mention your membership level for faster service
• Request cross-shipping if facing hard deadlines

Mistake #4: Underestimating the Quality Assurance Vortex

PCGS’s QA phase swallows submissions whole – sometimes for weeks without explanation.

What Really Happens in QA

Your coins undergo:

• Label verification (one typo halts everything)
• Slab integrity checks
• Database cross-referencing
• Random audits (like TSA pre-check but for coins)

QA Trouble Signs:

• Your submission entered QA during grading season peaks
• Radio silence after imaging completion
• Customer service can’t estimate QA duration

Preventive Measures

Keep QA moving by:

1. Avoiding December submissions (their busiest month)
2. Skipping custom labels unless essential
3. Opting out of add-ons like PCGS Secure

Escaping QA Purgatory

For extended delays:

1. Contact authorized dealers with QA access
2. Upgrade to Walkthrough service
3. Send physical inquiry via certified mail


Mistake #5: Assuming Walkthrough Means Express Everything

Paying premium fees doesn’t guarantee speed at every stage – Walkthrough creates its own bottlenecks.

The Walkthrough Reality

Your coins might:

• Wait days for specific senior graders
• Face extra QA scrutiny
• Languish in imaging coordination

Service Tier Confusion Clues:

• Statuses appearing out of expected order
• “Fast” stages taking longer than standard service
• Conflicting info from different support agents

Walkthrough Wisdom

Stay informed by:

1. Checking Walkthrough FAQ updates monthly
2. Joining PCGS member forum discussions
3. Attending their free premium service webinars

Walkthrough Emergency Fix

When premium service bogs down:

“Email walkthrough@pcgs.com with submission number – 80% of delays resolve within 24 hours using this direct channel.”

Your PCGS Tracking Survival Kit

After countless submissions, here’s what really matters:

• Portal statuses lie – track calendar days from arrival
• QA eats timelines – budget 15-20% extra time
• Humans cause variability – document all communications
• Walkthrough isn’t magical – learn its unique workflow first
• Speaking up matters – escalate through proper channels

These fixes transformed collectors who used to panic-check statuses daily into calm, confident submitters. Remember: understanding these common mistakes turns you from victim of the system to master of it. Your coins will thank you with faster returns and fewer headaches.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

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• PCGS Submission Tracking Secrets: The Unspoken Realities of Grading Timelines and Imaging Processes – Let me pull back the curtain on what really happens after you ship coins to PCGS After personally submitting over 400 co…
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