The knights are not the same as what you ordered. The knights received definitely look like the X3006. I understand what Chess Baron was saying. I agree that the design does "creep a little" when the manufacturer can't make it exact, but as a retailer you better change the photos to reflect the changes from the manufacturer. The knight you received has similarities to the one in the site photos, but it is not the same as the X4014 you ordered. I would ask them for a return with a shipping label on their dime.
Btw, Dave can you change the font color back to black?
I placed an order with ChessBaron on November 22, 2021 for their “Sinead Staunton Chess Pieces in Rosewood”, product code X4014. After receiving the order on December 1 I was surprised to find that the knight (the very reason I placed the order) looked decidedly different from what I remembered from the website photos. So I began searching out photos from the website for both what I ordered and what I received. I found the set I received (“Ami Elizabeth”, product code X3006) and assumed that it was a simple shipping mistake until I noticed a sticker on the set's plastic wrapper with the same product number as that I ordered (X4014). Odd but mistakes do happen.
I contacted ChessBaron via email with a detailed description of what I discovered along with several photos I had of the knight as well as those from both their web site. Following are the photos for your comparison. Cursory followed by close examination reveals “one of these isn't like the others”.
Here's the knight from the set I ordered:
To me, this is a beautiful knight! Definitely one of the best I've seen in quite a while. Not overdone or flamboyant but also not clunky and awkward. Balanced, well-proportioned, and simply natural.
Here's the knight I received (shot from a similar angle for easy comparison - apologies for the rotation by lousy forum software):
Are these the same? Only in the sense that they're both knights...
For perspective, here's the photo from the ChessBaron website of the knight that matches what I received:
...and what I actually received (shot from a similar angle for easy comparison - apologies for the rotation by lousy forum software):
Is anyone going to try to tell me the Sinead (X4014) and Ami Elizabeth (X3006) are the same knights? If so, sober up, clean your glasses, and try again: start with the ears and work your way down comparing the details.
Is anyone going to try to tell me that the differences are due to minor carving inaccuracies? If so, you probably work for ChessBaron and need to have your eyes checked. It's utterly ridiculous to take such a position and yet that's exactly what was done. Following is a snippet of the response to my initial request for resolution:
begin email snippet –
“The Sidead (sic) is the Ami Elizabeth and is the Supreme - this is the same design in differing names. Over the years the design creeps a little - but this is the right design. With the leather base - we found that people hugely wanted the felt because of the ability to 'slide' across the board - the friction of the leather didn't allow that. Admittedly we need to upgrade the photos.”
end email snippet –
I was stunned. I've never heard such a pathetic rationalization. “...this is the right design”. Seriously? Only in the grossest sense. Hell, from some angles my dog looks to have the same design as a horse. Two different product codes at two different price points with obvious, glaring differences in the knights but they're “the same”? It gets better. After challenging the company's stunt as misrepresentation I get this work of art as a reply:
begin email snippet –
“This is the nature of hand crafted products. We've been selling chess for nearly 20 years - the design creeps. There's a person whittling away at the pieces and the material comes from a tree. Misrepresentation is a little strong.”
end email snippet –
Wow. Just wow. Utter rubbish, as they say somewhere. Here in Texas this is known as the absolute purest of b.u.l.l.s.h.i.t from a patronizing j.a.c.k.a.s.s. However, I am glad that ChessBaron has served so many in the sight-impaired community “for nearly 20 years”. Important work, that, but News Flash: in general, customers expect to receive precisely what they order. After two decades of dealing with multiple vendors of chess equipment I've never, ever, ever had an issue such as this.
Trust is a fragile thing and once broken is extremely difficult to repair. It was suggested that I return the set (at my cost) for refund (to include the shipping cost). But after I was informed of the actual cost of return shipping I have no trust in this organization to not slither out of an actual refund. Do I want to continue to wrestle this pig? Screw it: I gave the set to a kid. Lesson learned, albeit an expensive one.
Some here will now leap to the defense of the indefensible but as far as I'm concerned Chess Baron is a garbage company using bait-and-switch tactics and laughably pathetic justifications. Utterly unacceptable. BEWARE!