ChessBazaar: pieces/board to return or not?

hi everyone,

need your our opinion on the following board and pieces I've just received from Chess Bazaar. Mainly, I'd like to know if the following "defects" are considered as something that is acceptable quality or not (I've been known to be picky)

The knight on the right (looking at pic) has its eyes slanted a bit too much for my liking. It actually looks worse to me in real life. 

Slight protrusion in knight's mouth. 

Edge veneer damage (protruding from wood)

Another edge issue (scraped)

appreciate your help, as this is the first wood set I buy

Everyone has their own limits as to what is acceptable. I would keep the pieces and return the board.

But that's just me.

[edit: minor flaws often just make a set unique, not sub-standard]

Board looks like shipping damage

My opinion: the board seems to be damaged, so you should ask for a replacement. As for the pieces the problems you notice are just small design variations due to the fact that they are handcrafted, I would not return them.

hope that helps

Knights are the prize in chess set design so enjoy

agree w/ everyone: the pieces are not damaged, minor carving variations are to be expected. The board, OTOH, is clearly defective and should be returned.

The pieces you will learn to love thier uniqueness, the board however is clearly damaged and should be replaced. 

by the way, what set is that? can you take the time to show us some more pics?

i would definitely return the Board!

You will not have to return the board.  It's not in Chess Bazaar's interest to deal with returns.  Send them photos of this damage and they will in good faith send you another one.  Note: I don't work for Chess Bazaar, this has only been my experience with them. 

The pieces you can also get replaced in the sammer manner. 

Nice set. I wouldn't hesitate to keep it with those minor variations.

I know how it feels to receive a less than perfect board. I had a good experience with chessbazaar. I purchased their minimalist series chess board last month and I am very pleased with the quality. But color from the right corner of my chess board is slightly vanished like yours, but that is a very far reach. I've noticed that several retailers have same problem with the boards in the last few months. I think you should email these pictures to CB. Be aware, though, that they ship replacement via regular mail. Two to three weeks average time in transit.

Or use automotive scratch removal cream, such as Meguires Scratch X. Once applied sufficiently, buff the whole board with a dry, lint free cloth and do not apply too much pressure. I hope things will get better. Good luck. 

Just bought a set from them.   Should arrive in 3 days.   Your post is scary to me.  They do advertise free piece exchange upon ordering.   I would take them up on that.  

Well today will be the moment of truth for me.  My wife just texted me ... my luxery CB set arrived this morning at 8:51 am.  Meanwhile, I'm sitting here at work, wondering what the set looks like ... wondering if I'll be satisified with the handcarved knights, how close will they be to the pictures I ordered from (worried after readign this post)  ... waiting like a kid at Christmas ... (It's going to be a long work day) ...  

I will say one thing, I ordered on Saturday ...  The told me it would not ship until Monday.  Tracking info says it was actually picked up by FedEx on 16th at 20:03 - arrived on the 18th at 8:51.   That's physically less than 48 hours, or two days ...

To be continued ... more to come 

Received my ChessBazaar set ... here's my review:  (skip towards the bottom of the article)  http://www.richimages.net/?p=7113