Conflict Of Interest? Grading And Publications?

Maybe I'm wrong, but if you're in the business of doing one thing, wouldn't it be in your best interest to further that business and all its derivatives? e.g. a guitar magazine might hold shares in Fender, and there's no reason to not practice this. Perhaps its different because ICCS are appraisers, but the data from these publications can't possibly ALL come ICCS, there would be others like indepedent auction houses, ebay, coin dealers, etc.

If ICCS and Charleton's press published the 5 cent variety book in the last 6 months.....why does an American collector inform me that he was told of certain varieties 36 months ago? and by the "expert" at ICCS? The premium's on some of these are huge!! Shall we sweep it under the table just like the tampered holders, the "upset twoonie" core....and let the dealers and ICCS make a bag full of money off the honest collector? D'ooooooh I will not. Defend ICCS else where.......cause the hand is tired of hearing it..........

Can someone explain exactly what the relationship between Charlton's and ICCS is? It is not clear to many.Who owns which? What is the relationship?

The topic deals with conflict of interest,grading and publishing.There is also the one about grading and selling your coins.Nobody is perfect.There was a mention of CCCS by D earlier.Do you know that CCCS sells their coins at the Nuphilex auction in Montreal.They both are owned by the same individual.Is Louis fixing the grades to get a better price?I am convinced he does not as it would ruin his grading business which is doing quite well.
The numismatic world is small in Canada.The number of individuals deeply involved in their hobby are not that large.We are bound to find some kind of relationship among some of them.This does not make them crooks.To me,coin collecting is based on trust from both sides if you do not trust someone,simply do no do business with him.As far as ethical is concerned many of us cannot say they always have been.

sounds like a conflict of interest as well

Coinman...
There are some elements in your post which I do understand, or, perhaps you do not understand the issue on hand.

We are talking about a Canadian based TPG which until a while ago dictated what we had to accept. End of story, as most collectors wanted ICCS graded coins.
And by doing so, they determined prices you and I pay / get if and when we buy, sell or trade our coins. THEY HAVE set the marks on how it affects the hobby, on how it determines some people's income/livelihood. Like it or don't.
They also decided, probably in cohorts with Charlton, WHICH varieties they will grade and hence recognize, and which to ignore. They and Charlton have ignored for a long time some very obvious and factual, NOT phantasm varieties where for example the shade of the metal does not match another coin. I have proof of that.
They have done this with success. Like in any other business there are often different entities which, when "merged", seem to be a good thing.. ON the surface. In this case it appears that the "merger", or perhaps better said: the very close and fuzzy cooperation between ICCS and The Charlton Guide is in some aspects to the detriment of the coin collection community.
Admitted, they do both provide a service which we all use or have used at times.
The position of most of us is: If the information is in the CG, it is "law". right?

Where a cooperation between two "complementing" interests creates a detriment to their clients...it becomes a serious issue. And that is what we have here.... it costs us all money.
Call it what you want. a conflict, a conflicht of interest, a dctatorshi, a cosy relationship with huge financial gaines. or whatever. IT should not be like that at our expense. Just MPO.
Personally, I have made my choice and I hope all of you will also.

This whole ICCS issue has been brewing for some time now and was probably started when the grading was way off sometimes and they just ignored it, as it is "their opinion only" without any PROFESSIONAL responsibility. If they were professionals, they would have to back up and support their opinions. Some very serious suggestions and accusations have surfaced lately, many of them very true and supported by some individual's personal experiences with this TPG.
I guess it all got stirred up and the pot just run over.
I am convinced, had ICCS become more customer friendly and more transparent in their relationship with clients, this post would most likely have a different tune. Had they listened to us instead of playing coin-gods they would still enjoy their top position.
Had they demonstrated that they are a customer friendly, accessible, responsible and reliable TPG we would not have this post. Oh, did I forget to mention they live in ICE age what communication is concerned?
They just never listen. And that reflects also on to Charlton. OR, perhaps reflects OFF Charlton, as they seem to pretty well dictate WHAT ICCS grades.
I am not sure what exactly the relationship is between them. BUT, it sure appears there is more than just a friendly business relationship. If ICCS is a legal corp., the info on all Shareholders should be available in the Ontario corporate registry.

Zonad. excellent Point!!