Chess Empire Chavet B210 Repro different woods incoming!
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Rosewood is currently on the CITES list so perhaps it’s Anjan wood and not rosewood
JoPublic wrote:
Rosewood is currently on the CITES list so perhaps it’s Anjan wood and not rosewood
From the World Wide Web — and I'm paraphrasing:
An exemption was added after the 2017 resolution [banning rosewood] was passed, which made exceptions for finished products that weigh under 10 kilograms (about 22 lbs). So this had the effect of allowing most instruments [and chess sets] through, but stopping larger pieces like furniture.
I bought the B210 in Ebony last year. I had it out since I got it. The Black king, queen, knights, bishops, and five pawns all cracked at the base before the end of the year. Meanwhile, I had a fine old HOS ebony reproduction set out near it for most of the year, and that suffered no cracks (not one, ever!). I have concluded that the ebony from The Chess Empire is either inferior or insufficiently aged. I spent over $300 on this!
Here is a picture: https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZBkknVZfRbMajiEfEJWuUFxJBE3gFgY354y
Jan 9, 2023
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#106
@Lichtenberg - that’s a shame. While I have never purchased from TCE, I believe that most manufacturers replace split/cracked pieces - perhaps send some photos to TCE and hopefully they will replace the pieces.
Jan 9, 2023
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#107
"All wood wants to crack"....This from the great acoustic guitar restorer John Arnold.
However,the environment with which it came from and is stored,greatly affects what happens.....I keep all my sets and boards in a room with a small/portable humidifier.It averages around 45% all the time.Why take a chance when we have tech products that cost little?
Lichtenberg wrote:
I bought the B210 in Ebony last year. I had it out since I got it. The Black king, queen, knights, bishops, and five pawns all cracked at the base before the end of the year. Meanwhile, I had a fine old HOS ebony reproduction set out near it for most of the year, and that suffered no cracks (not one, ever!). I have concluded that the ebony from The Chess Empire is either inferior or insufficiently aged. I spent over $300 on this!
@Lichtenberg Dyaaaaam,,,, that's really bad. I hope you are in contact with TCE. The banner at the top of every page says: Free Replacement and 24/7 support. Hold them to it.
You mention you've had this set "out" since you got it last year. Was it used in a public environment like a bar? Casual play at home? Or just use as an analysis set? Just curious about the details.
Thanks for posting about this to make the public aware. And update us with any resolution. Good luck!
Jan 9, 2023
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#109
It’s awful! I imagine that they may replace the set or at least the while dark side! One could assume that they had a bad batch of wood or something … please keep us updated and like @Pawnerai - I am interested in the background too.
Jan 9, 2023
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#110
As an update to my post above and by coincidence, I just received a DHL package containing three replacement pieces for a set purchased recently from Staunton Castle. The finish was chipped and because of the colour - the flaws really stood out. The SC team agreed to a replacement immediately - no issue, no hassle. Wonderful service. A shame that the pieces were flawed in the first place (and I will use them carefully now that is see the nature of the finish - no blitz for these pieces!!) but the after sales service was prompt and appreciated. All good! My point is - your issue with cracking is even worse I reckon and these pieces should be immediately replaced, I believe.
And they go well with my old clocks too.😉
At $350 would want either a new black ebony side or my money back , very poor for a 1 year old chess set , I hope TCE makes good on Free Replacement .
Lichtenberg wrote:
I bought the B210 in Ebony last year. I had it out since I got it. The Black king, queen, knights, bishops, and five pawns all cracked at the base before the end of the year. Meanwhile, I had a fine old HOS ebony reproduction set out near it for most of the year, and that suffered no cracks (not one, ever!). I have concluded that the ebony from The Chess Empire is either inferior or insufficiently aged. I spent over $300 on this!
What was the resolution, if any?
I bought an ebonized set a couple weeks ago and already seeing cracks on a couple pieces. One of the pawns had a finish problem. They’re being replaced but they’re now saying any further replacements will be at my cost. Huh.
There’s other things i’m less than thrilled about like a piece not sitting flat, cuts in the queens crown not being perpendicular with the edge of the crown. and the rook tops not being polished. Little details, but they catch your eye and make you say really. I can accept those but pieces cracking so quickly isn’t a good sign.
Quality control is not good so far. Happy for others that lucked out with no-problem sets.
At what point do you just demand a refund?
thanks for the feedback
maplepieces wrote:
Lichtenberg wrote:
I bought the B210 in Ebony last year. I had it out since I got it. The Black king, queen, knights, bishops, and five pawns all cracked at the base before the end of the year. Meanwhile, I had a fine old HOS ebony reproduction set out near it for most of the year, and that suffered no cracks (not one, ever!). I have concluded that the ebony from The Chess Empire is either inferior or insufficiently aged. I spent over $300 on this!
What was the resolution, if any?
I bought an ebonized set a couple weeks ago and already seeing cracks on a couple pieces. One of the pawns had a finish problem. They’re being replaced but they’re now saying any further replacements will be at my cost. Huh.
There’s other things i’m less than thrilled about like a piece not sitting flat, cuts in the queens crown not being perpendicular with the edge of the crown. and the rook tops not being polished. Little details, but they catch your eye and make you say really. I can accept those but pieces cracking so quickly isn’t a good sign.
Quality control is not good so far. Happy for others that lucked out with no-problem sets.
At what point do you just demand a refund?
After the QG & covid it was a rough time , As the old stock of ebony & boxwood had being used up , with no one to harvest wood due to lock down & the rush to make chess sets as the market had over demanded back then , As a rule the TCE was very good in the past , This really sucks would go for a refund if this is the case with your chess set .
my set is actually ebonized, not ebony
Thank you all for the feedback as I usually do not reply or post any chess set or details. However the cracking problem is not in our or anybody can control over it. We have clearly mention on our website that we will provide replacement free of cost for 30 days and after that we only charge for shipping not for the chess pieces for next 4 months.
We have done replacement for many customers even after many years and we will keep working on customer satisfaction . If anyone want to provide their suggestion and I personally welcome for everyone , which is genuine for buyer and seller too.write me directly. rshsharma@hotmail.com
I am always keep working to make more beautiful designs and quality .
My Kind Regards to all
Rishi Sharma
I totally get the fact that chess collecting is wide and diverse. But $1500 is an Oleg Raikis Staunton set. Yikes. That Audioq B210 Chavet will get a lot of love and admiration from the new buyer, I'm sure. It's all good.