CHESSBAZAAR negative review

Patience has run out so this is a negative review of Chessbazaar's service. After informing CB of the need to replace a bishop https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/post-youre-chess-sets?page=56 this is how it's unfolded so far.

Nov 20

I was informed that a replacement bishop would be sent to me.

Jan 9 (I wrote to CB)

I'm awaiting the replacement bishop you promised. Please send asap. Thank you.

Jan 11

I was informed of an interruption in Indian postal service.

Feb 4 (I wrote to CB)

Will my replacement bishop for order #_ _ _ be shipping anytime soon? I would like it to weigh 64-65 grams if possible.

Feb 8 (I wrote to CB)

I think I have waited long enough. I'm done waiting. If you cannot send by ordinary mail then send by DHL which you will pay for. I will report your reply on chess.com tomorrow. If no reply then your customer service is terrible and it's this I will report. You people have put me off for too long. TOO LONG!

Feb 9

I was informed by Mayank that standard post had resumed service and my parcel was ready to ship. I would be updated with a tracking #.

_______________________

Sooo here we are 6 days later and no word on my parcel shipping or a response to my email to CB yesterday. I'm just fed up with CB's customer service. It's lousy.

@MCH818 CB wanted $25 to send my replacement piece by DHL. 

I'm having a similar experience.

I had a knight that needed replacement in a Blitz set that I purchased. The CB team were happy to replace it albeit they noted it would be by postal service and that was not currently operating out of India. I explained that I had no need for speedy replacement  - happy for it to be by post - my set is still usable... albeit with a flawed piece. I am happy with the speed and clarity of response to my initial inquiry and I am confident that I'll receive a replacement whenever that may be ... post COVID normality and/or Post Queens Gambit wave - whenever. Indeed, I am happy for more urgent needs like Brynmr or beachero to be met. 

It's not about urgent needs. I can play with the bishop I have just fine and I think you know that. It's about maintaining quality control and good customer service. 

G'day @Brynmr - apologies on two fronts - I did not go back and check your original post and now having clicked your link above -  realise/remember the nature of the issue with your bishop; clearly playable.  Further - I misread the nature of the response about speed.

In truth, my personal expectations are not a high benchmark for this forum or better worded - I have a reasonably low bar to be satisfied. Don't know why... probably something to do with living on this large island and being amazed that I can now access a manufacturer/retailer out of India or England or the USA or just about anywhere on our planet ... and for some reason, I expect major, major issues - like no delivery at all or really crud pieces or fraud or whatever  ...who knows what I was expecting when I purchased my first set... but it wasn't a high level. So I remain pleasantly surprised with nearly all aspects of my two purchases to date and can handle the really, really slow replacement via post. 

I tend to ramble so I'll shut up now and get back to work after my lunch break and I do hope that you and others get resolution soon enough. :-) 

@Powderdigit And a beautiful island it is. No apologies necessary, my friend. 

3 months I'd go ballistic! Sorry to hear this buddy

I have eight (!) cracked ebony pawns.
Mayank responded quickly and kindly agreed to send new pawns.
But since DHL is not an option for Russia (due to "internal instructions"), the expected arrival date of shipment is 60 working days (Indian Post, lockdown, covid, etc.)!
I'm patiently waiting...

Customers should be told why shipments aren't being sent, not schmoozed. And if there are problems with their post then it's not the customer who should eat the cost of DHL.

Absolutely. Not a company I would use based on your experience so thank you for highlighting this. 

Sadly I was worried about this from them and other suppliers due to the increase in demand. I have refrained to buy any new pieces from them or until supply and demand reaches their new equilibrium.  Even though there are a few sets I'm chomping at the bit to purchase for now I'm just looking at local craftsmen for boards and custom boxes. 

why do u use chess bazzar, use chess.coms official shop, lots of good chess stuff and safe

Because there do not  sell, These amazing cracking base chess sets for less .which seems to be in high demand

I knew someone would show up with really bad grammar sooner or later.

Just received spare pawns. Three weeks for India Post and Moscow destination is very soon.

8 cracked pawns! That's pretty bad but glad you finally got your replacements. I'm still waiting. Tuesday I inquired, for the millionth time, as to the status of my replacement. Yesterday CB told me it's already shipped (when? Tues? 21 days ago?) and that it would take 25-30 business days. So maybe another month. Dunno but I'm off CB.

On a positive note none of my Sher-E-Punjab ebony pieces are cracked.  

And get this. Yesterday I got the notice from DHL that my replacement pieces from SC are on their way. CB declined to use DHL to send my replacement bishop. No problem with Mandeep.  Guess who I'm buying from next time.  

I no longer use them either.